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Character Designer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Dunkin

Baskin Cake Decorator

Reston, VA

$14.75 - $19/hr

Exceptional decorating skills including gel, icing, airbrush, decorating kits, edible images, floral designs, and licensed character designs. Portfolio submission required; candidates must provide ...

Epic Games

Character Animation Lead

Cary, NC · On-site

Collaborate closely with engineers and technical designers to design scalable, flexible animation ... Expert-level understanding of character animation principles, with the ability to deliver both ...

Swaybox Studios

Rhino Designer

New Orleans, LA · On-site

Ensure sets are designed with camera angles, character movement, lighting, and puppet/animation scale in mind. * Integrate story and visual language to craft environments that enhance character ...

TapBlaze

Senior Narrative Designer

Los Angeles, CA · On-site

$65K - $100K/yr

You will write the dialogue, character arcs, and world building that make our games feel alive, partnering closely with game designers, artists, and community support team so that story beats are ...

TapBlaze

Senior Narrative Designer

Los Angeles, CA · On-site

$65K - $100K/yr

You will write the dialogue, character arcs, and world building that make our games feel alive, partnering closely with game designers, artists, and community support team so that story beats are ...

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Character Designer information

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$19

$31

$47

How much do character designer jobs pay per hour?

As of Jun 28, 2026, the average hourly pay for character designer in the United States is $31.64, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $28.85 and $36.30 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

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.

Does character design pay well?

Character designers' salaries vary based on experience, location, and industry, but they generally earn competitive wages within the creative field. Entry-level positions may start lower, while experienced designers working in gaming, animation, or film can earn higher salaries, especially with strong portfolios and proficiency in tools like Adobe Photoshop or Illustrator.

What are character designers?

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 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.

What art-related jobs are about $80,000 a year?

In the field of art, roles such as senior character designer, concept artist, or art director often have annual salaries around $80,000 or higher, especially with experience and in larger studios. These positions typically require strong skills in digital illustration, 3D modeling, and proficiency with tools like Adobe Creative Suite or Blender.

What do character designers do?

Character designers create visual representations of characters for media such as animation, video games, and comics. They develop concepts, sketches, and detailed artwork, often using digital tools like Photoshop or Illustrator, to establish a character's appearance, personality, and style. Their work involves collaboration with directors and other artists to ensure the character fits the project's overall vision.

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.

How do you become a character designer?

To become a character designer, you typically need a strong foundation in art and illustration, often gained through a bachelor's degree in fine arts, animation, or a related field. Building a portfolio that showcases your ability to create diverse and expressive characters is essential, along with proficiency in digital tools like Adobe Photoshop or Illustrator. Gaining experience through internships or freelance work can also help establish a professional network and improve your skills.
More about Character Designer jobs
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Character Designer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Character Designer job openings in the United States as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 96% Full Time, and 4% Temporary. Highlights an 93% In-person, and 7% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $65,817 per year, or $31.6 per hour.
Baskin Cake Decorator

Baskin Cake Decorator

Dunkin

Reston, VA

$14.75 - $19/hr

Other

Posted 23 days ago

Dunkin' rating

4.7

Company rating: 4.7 out of 10

Based on 2,193 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

75th of 104 rated fast food restaurants

Job description

Job Highlights:
Exceptional decorating skills including gel, icing, airbrush, decorating kits, edible images, floral designs, and licensed character designs.
Portfolio submission required; candidates must provide examples of previous cake decorating work
Cake decoration demonstration as part of the interview process.
Coordination skills to replicate drawings and letters from printed images.
Adherence to established food-handling procedures to meet local health regulations.
Ability to perform under pressure in a high-volume restaurant, including swift movement and responsiveness.
Comfortable working in varying temperature conditions.
Capable of lifting up to 50 pounds.
Responsibilities: As a Cake Decorator, your responsibilities will include, but are not limited to:
Cake Preparation and Decoration:
Create beautifully decorated cakes according to customer specifications and established standards.
Utilize a wide range of decorating techniques, including gel, icing, airbrushing, decorating kits, edible images, floral designs, and licensed character designs.
Maintain the highest level of craftsmanship and attention to detail.
Equipment Operation and Maintenance:
Safely operate and maintain cake decorating equipment, following all health and safety guidelines.
Inventory Management:
Ensure a consistent inventory of decorated cakes, including backup cakes during peak seasons and promotions.
Keep the display freezer well-stocked and visually appealing with a variety of attractively displayed cakes.
Customer Interaction:
Assist customers in placing cake orders both in person and over the phone in a professional and timely manner.
Provide exceptional customer service, addressing customer needs and preferences with a positive attitude.
Teamwork and Hygiene:
Work collaboratively as part of a team to ensure consistent quality, service, cleanliness, and customer satisfaction.
Maintain a clean and organized work area, stocking necessary items, and executing proper product rotation.
Keep the cake production area and equipment clean and sanitary.
Communication and Issue Reporting:
Promptly inform the immediate supervisor of any problems or significant matters.
Communicate both positive and negative issues with management staff for continuous improvement.
Additional Responsibilities:
Contribute to the overall success of the restaurant by upholding quality, value, service, and cleanliness standards to ensure guest satisfaction.
Foster a positive working relationship with fellow restaurant employees and customers, promoting a cooperative and pleasant working environment.
Qualifications and Interview Process:
Strongly preferred: Cake decorator's certification.
Exceptional decorating skills, including proficiency with gel, icing, airbrushing, decorating kits, edible images, floral designs, and licensed character designs.
Portfolio submission required; candidates must provide examples of previous cakes they have decorated.
Cake decoration demonstration as part of the interview process.
Coordination skills to follow instructions and replicate drawings and letters from printed images.
Strict adherence to established food-handling procedures to meet local health regulations.
Ability to perform effectively under pressure in a high-volume restaurant, including swift movement and responsiveness.
Capability to stand for extended periods and work in varying temperature conditions.
Ability to lift up to 50 pounds.
Note: This job description provides a comprehensive overview of the Cake Decorator position, including qualifications, responsibilities, and ex

What Dunkin' employees say

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Benefits

Hours and flexibility

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About Dunkin

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

Dunkin' Donuts, commonly known as Dunkin', is a premier quick service restaurant (QSR) located in Canton, MA, United States. Founded in 1950 by Mr. William Rosenberg, Dunkin' entered the food industry with a mission to serve fresh, delicious coffee and delectable donuts efficiently and affordably. The company primarily operates in the food and beverage industry, specializing in high-quality brewed coffee, baked goods, and delicious sandwiches. Known for their iconic slogan "America Runs on Dunkin'", the company has become a household name, transforming the simple joy of a cup of coffee and a donut into a daily ritual for millions of people around the world.

Industry

Food and beverage stores, retail and food services and drinking places

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

Canton, MA, US

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