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Character Designer Jobs in Minnesota (NOW HIRING)

Senior Designer, MCAD Location: Chaska, MN (On-site) Employment Type: Full-Time Compensation: $87,500 - $105,000/year + quarterly bonus Schedule: Compressed workweek (9-hour days Mon-Thu, 4-hour ...

Senior Brand Designer

Virginia, MN · On-site

$65 - $95/hr

We're looking for a highly creative, concept-driven Senior Designer with deep expertise in brand identity to join our team. This role requires strong typographic skills, the ability to craft ...

Senior Architectural Designer Minneapolis, MN | Direct Hire | $110k- $155k Konik is partnering with an integrated design firm seeking a Senior Architectural Designer to support complex federal health ...

New

Join our office in Little Canada, MN as our Senior Designer ! Primary responsibilities include, but are not limited to: * Primarily focus complex design projects, quality controlling work and ...

The BIM Designer oversees model management tasks for design and VDC projects and spearheads the development and maintenance of Egan's Revit infrastructure. With the flexibility of working hybrid in ...

The BIM Designer oversees model management tasks for design and VDC projects and spearheads the development and maintenance of Egan's Revit infrastructure. With the flexibility of working hybrid in ...

The BIM Designer oversees model management tasks for design and VDC projects and spearheads the development and maintenance of Egan's Revit infrastructure. With the flexibility of working hybrid in ...

Create designs and design layouts for new product concepts, new products or improvements to existing products. * Ensure engineering design for new products and improved products meet market, safety ...

Senior Designer - Telecommunications Department: Telecommunications Employment Type: Full Time Location: Bloomington, MN Compensation: $20.00 - $40.00 / hour Description ISG is seeking a highly ...

As a Designer, you will support and be responsible for Owned Brand product brands and/or categories that achieve overall product design strategy and merchant objectives. Under the overall direction ...

Senior Truss Designer

Winsted, MN · On-site

$30 - $34/hr

Seeking Senior Truss Designers who are responsible for translating sales orders into accurate shop drawings & maintaining design integrity within an appropriate time frame to meet shop production and ...

The Designer I supports new product development, product improvements, and current product engineering activities through the creation and maintenance of engineering designs and product documentation.

Gas Distribution Designer I or II

Winona, MN · On-site

$29.40 - $47.43/hr

Distribution Designer II - ($33.90 to $47.43) Minimum Requirements * Associates Degree in one of the following fields of study: drafting, design, automation, electronics, mechatronics, engineering ...

Distribution Designer I - ($29.40 to $41.13) Minimum Requirements * Associates Degree in one of the following fields of study: drafting, design, automation, electronics, mechatronics, engineering ...

New

Gas Distribution Designer I or II

Winona, MN · On-site

$29.40 - $47.43/hr

Distribution Designer I - ($29.40 to $41.13) Minimum Requirements * Associates Degree in one of the following fields of study: drafting, design, automation, electronics, mechatronics, engineering ...

Showing results 41-60

Character Designer information

See Minnesota salary details

$18

$30

$46

How much do character designer jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 23, 2026, the average hourly pay for character designer in Minnesota is $30.99, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $28.27 and $35.53 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a character designer?

Character designers are artists who create the visual appearance, style, and personality of characters for animation, video games, comics, films, and other media. Their work involves conceptualizing and illustrating characters based on story requirements, often working closely with writers, directors, and animators. Character designers develop everything from facial expressions and costumes to body shapes and color schemes, ensuring each character is visually appealing and communicates the intended traits or emotions.

What does a character designer do?

As a character designer, you create the look and animation of a cartoon character in a film, TV show, or video game. Your responsibilities are to develop physical features, design costumes and clothes, pose characters, and collaborate with team members from concept to production. Your duties include working with mouth charts, expression sheets, shadow and color indications, and marketing artwork. You sketch, draw, illustrate, and animate by hand and through computer software. You also work with different drafts and copies and maintain artwork storage. To be successful in this field, you must be able to balance creativity with the needs and requirements of the project.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a character designer, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Character Designer, you need strong drawing and illustration skills, a deep understanding of anatomy, color theory, and character development, often supported by a degree in art or design. Proficiency with digital design tools such as Adobe Creative Suite, Procreate, and 3D modeling software like ZBrush is typically required. Creativity, strong communication, and the ability to accept feedback help designers collaborate effectively and bring unique characters to life. These skills are essential to create compelling, visually distinctive characters that resonate with audiences and fit seamlessly within projects.

What are some common challenges character designers face when collaborating with other departments during production?

Character Designers often collaborate closely with animators, modelers, and directors, which can present challenges such as aligning on the visual style, ensuring designs are animation-friendly, and accommodating technical limitations. Balancing creative vision with practical constraints—like simplifying details for animation or adapting designs based on feedback—requires strong communication and flexibility. Successful Character Designers are proactive in seeking input, open to revision, and skilled at translating character concepts into workable assets that serve the story and production pipeline.

What is the difference between Character Designer vs Character Artist?

AspectCharacter DesignerCharacter Artist
Primary FocusCreating original character concepts, designs, and visual stylesRendering and illustrating detailed character artwork based on designs
Skills & ToolsConcept art, illustration, creativity, design software (Photoshop, Illustrator)Digital painting, rendering, shading, software skills (Photoshop, Painter)
Work EnvironmentGame studios, animation, film, advertisingGame studios, animation, film, freelance projects

While both roles involve working with characters, a Character Designer focuses on creating original character concepts and visual styles, whereas a Character Artist specializes in bringing those designs to life through detailed illustrations and rendering. Understanding these distinctions helps clarify career paths and job expectations in the industry.

How to get a job as a character designer?

To become a character designer, build a strong portfolio showcasing your drawing and conceptual skills, often using digital tools like Adobe Photoshop or Illustrator. Gaining experience through internships, freelance work, or art courses can improve your chances, and understanding the specific style or genre of the industry you want to work in is beneficial.

What qualifications do I need to be a character designer?

To become a character designer, a strong portfolio demonstrating artistic skills and creativity is essential. A background in art, illustration, or animation, often supported by a degree in fine arts or related fields, is common. Proficiency in digital tools like Adobe Photoshop or Illustrator and understanding of character anatomy and storytelling are also important.

What are popular job titles related to Character Designer jobs in Minnesota?

For Character Designer jobs in Minnesota, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What cities in Minnesota are hiring for Character Designer jobs?

Cities in Minnesota with the most Character Designer job openings:

Infographic showing various Character Designer job openings in Minnesota as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 100% Full Time. Highlights an 50% In-person, and 50% Hybrid job distribution, with an average salary of $64,461 per year, or $31 per hour.

Senior Designer, MCAD

Drawbridge

Chaska, MN • On-site

$105K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 23 days ago


Job description

Senior Designer, MCAD
Location: Chaska, MN (On-site)
Employment Type: Full-Time
Compensation: $87,500 - $105,000/year + quarterly bonus
Schedule: Compressed workweek (9-hour days Mon-Thu, 4-hour Fridays)
Our client is a leading aerospace and defense manufacturer seeking a Senior MCAD Designer to provide CAD and technical drawing support for new product development and existing product line derivatives. Working under design engineers, you'll interpret industry design and drafting standards, military specifications, and internal procedures to produce precise, manufacturable designs.
What You'll Do
  • Prepare detailed 3D design layouts of complex parts and assemblies, including fits, finishes, tolerances, and material selection
  • Prepare manufacturing documentation per company and industry standards, including thorough tolerance stack-ups to validate fit and function
  • Build and maintain a standard library of reusable parts and features
  • Maintain existing documentation through ECN/AECN preparation and incorporation
  • Interpret industry design/drafting standards, military specs, and internal procedures
  • Participate in select PDR and CDR reviews to present design parameters
  • Perform detail checking of assemblies and drawings to company standards, including redraws
  • Apply Geometric Dimensioning & Tolerancing (GD&T) practically across designs
  • Prepare fully annotated drawings of parts and assemblies from 3D assembly models
  • Search and reuse existing hardware/designs via the client's business system and internal tools
  • Own projects from concept through production within an integrated product development team
  • Analyze designs for improvement opportunities; partner with engineers to evaluate design feasibility
  • Apply tolerances that satisfy design intent while remaining manufacturable and inspectable
  • Create as-built drawing packages efficiently
  • Perform basic engineering calculations, tolerance stack-ups, and fit determinations for moving and stationary parts
What You Bring
  • Associate's degree in Mechanical Engineering Technology, Electrical Technology, or related field
  • 4-7 years of experience as an electro-mechanical designer
  • Experience with PTC Creo 4.0+ and Windchill 12.0
  • Strong Creo solid modeling experience and solid understanding of mechanical design principles
  • Experience with GD&T, material properties, fits, and finishes
  • Strong knowledge of machining operations - turning, milling, drilling, boring, tapping - on metallic and polymer materials
  • Ability to perform basic trigonometry and solid geometry calculations
  • Strong verbal/written communication skills for cross-functional collaboration
  • Strong computer literacy, including MS Office
  • Must be a U.S. Citizen (ITAR/export control requirement)
Nice to Have
  • Knowledge of fluid components, sealing element design, bearings, and other mechanical elements
  • Experience with electro-mechanical packaging, PCB design, or harness design
  • GD&T certification
Work Environment
  • Split between professional office and manufacturing/machine shop environments
  • Exposure to fluids, fumes, noise, vibration, and moving mechanical parts typical of a machine shop
  • Compressed 4-day workweek schedule (9 hrs Mon-Thu, 4 hrs Fri); some overtime/weekend work possible as needed
  • No travel required
Benefits
Competitive salary plus quarterly bonus, medical/dental/vision, life and disability insurance, 401(k) with company match, generous tuition assistance, paid vacation/sick/personal time, paid holidays, and flexible/compressed work week options.
Equal Opportunity Employer - M/F/IWD/Veterans. Veterans encouraged to apply.