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Character Illustrator Jobs in Georgia (NOW HIRING)

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Character Illustrator information

See Georgia salary details

$27.4K

$50.1K

$81.1K

How much do character illustrator jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 20, 2026, the average yearly pay for character illustrator in Georgia is $50,110.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $32,500.00 and $57,400.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a character illustrator?

A Character Illustrator is a professional artist who creates visual representations of characters for various media, such as books, games, animations, and marketing materials. They design characters based on descriptions, concepts, or narratives, ensuring they fit the intended style and audience. This role often involves sketching, digital painting, and refining character designs while collaborating with writers, designers, and creative teams. Strong drawing skills, creativity, and proficiency in design software like Adobe Photoshop or Procreate are essential.

What skills and qualifications are needed to be a character illustrator?

To thrive as a Character Illustrator, you need strong drawing skills, a solid understanding of anatomy, color theory, and character design, often supported by a degree in illustration, fine arts, or a related field. Mastery of digital illustration tools like Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, and Procreate is typically required, and proficiency in 3D modeling software or certification in digital artistry can be an advantage. Creativity, attention to detail, time management, and effective communication are essential soft skills. These abilities enable illustrators to produce appealing characters that meet project briefs and collaborate smoothly with creative teams under tight deadlines.

What are some common challenges character illustrators face when working on team-based projects?

Character Illustrators working in a team environment often encounter challenges such as aligning their artistic style with an established brand or project vision and adapting to iterative feedback from art directors or clients. Meeting tight deadlines while accommodating changes to character concepts can also be demanding, especially in fast-paced industries like gaming or animation. Collaboration with writers, animators, and other artists requires effective communication and flexibility to ensure all visual elements are cohesive. Overcoming these challenges helps ensure a successful final product and fosters valuable teamwork experience that benefits career growth.

What are the most commonly searched types of Character Illustrator jobs in Georgia?

The most popular types of Character Illustrator jobs in Georgia are:

What are popular job titles related to Character Illustrator jobs in Georgia?

For Character Illustrator jobs in Georgia, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Character Illustrator jobs in Georgia look for?

The top searched job categories for Character Illustrator jobs in Georgia are:

Character Illustrator jobs near you
Infographic showing various Character Illustrator job openings in Georgia as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 85% Full Time, 7% Part Time, 5% Contract, and 3% Nights. Highlights an 99% Physical, and 1% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $50,110 per year, or $24.1 per hour.

Product Development Manager, Soft Goods

The Elf on The Shelf

Atlanta, GA • On-site

$108K - $135K/yr

Full-time

Posted 28 days ago

Job description


Join us in Telling the Stories of Santa’s North Pole!

The Lumistella Company is a global intellectual property company dedicated to bringing Santa’s North Pole to life for children around the world through consumer products, original entertainment and brand experiences. We are home to the most iconic and beloved Christmas brands of this generation including The Elf on the Shelf, Elf Pets, and Elf Mates.

The Product Development Manager, Soft Goods will lead the executional development of all plush and textile-based products across Lumistella’s core and inbound licensed lines. From fashion-forward accessories to character-driven plush, this role ensures that each item meets the brand’s high creative standards while achieving cost, safety, and production feasibility targets.

This role works closely with Design and Sourcing to deliver accurate, vendor-ready documentation and to ensure storytelling, texture, and tactile delight are preserved through sampling and spec refinement. This role bridges creative intent and technical execution to deliver safe, engaging, and fully manufacturable products.

Projects include, but are not limited to elf dolls, costumes & clothing for elves (and potentially other characters), plush accessories, and plush characters of all shapes, sizes, and playable features. Each season can have upwards of 25 unique and innovative items for new development, in addition to products sold globally year after year requiring updates from previous seasons.

The Product Development Manager, Soft Goods will:

  • Lead development of plush characters, fashion accessories, and soft goods SKUs from design handoff through pre-production sample approval.
  • Provide fabric and plush construction guidance for hybrid products, such as dolls with roto-molded heads and plush/felt bodies.
  • Owns the technical translation of design intent into manufacturable, child-safe, and cost-conscious plush and fashion items—serving as the primary steward of tactile and structural quality.
  • Translate designs into detailed specifications, including materials, trims, die-cut patterns, construction methods, and finishing techniques.
  • Partner closely with factories on problem-solving as it relates to die cuts, patterns, seam allowances, and cutting processes to ensure finished good construction is flawless.
  • Acts as the primary decision-maker for plush construction feasibility.
  • Partner with the Product Engineer as needed to finalize product specifications, ensuring dimensional accuracy and construction feasibility.
  • Maintain accurate version control of specifications throughout sampling cycles.
  • Provide samples to the Packaging Structural Designer to validate product/packaging fit; packaging spec ownership is the responsibility of the Packaging Designer.
  • Provide samples to the Packaging Graphics team as needed for photography; ensure final art files are provided to the factory on time during Pre-Production phase.
  • Oversee sampling rounds, evaluate construction quality, softness, scale, and appearance, and manage adjustments in coordination with vendors and internal stakeholders.
  • Provide clear, actionable feedback to factories on sample revisions, materials, and construction adjustments.
  • Ensure products meet market expectations for the brands’ emotional and tactile experiences as premium goods meant to be cherished by consumers year after year.
  • Partner with Sourcing, Costing, and factories to align on material sourcing, cost targets, BOM accuracy, and feasibility resolution.
  • Work with Compliance & QC to ensure plush and textile products meet all required safety and regulatory standards.
  • Validate all products meet performance and functional requirements as defined in conjunction with the Director of Product Development.
  • Work closely with Program Management to maintain schedule adherence and escalate risks for projects that are in danger, offering solutions to mitigate the risks and minimize impact to ship dates.

If you want to be one of us...

The ideal candidate will bring:

  • 5+ years in plush, apparel, or soft goods engineering / product development
  • Experience managing development cycles across seasonal and licensed product lines
  • Experience working with licensed IP partners on product submissions and approvals
  • Strong understanding of cut-and-sew, 3D character plush, and cost optimization
    • Pattern-making knowledge, cut and sew construction and 3D volume development
    • Understanding of textile performance characteristics
    • Knowledge of trims, embellishments, embroidery techniques
    • Strong knowledge of cost estimating and designing to specified cost restraints for soft goods
  • Digital tool experience preferred (PLM, Adobe Illustrator, CAD familiarity)
  • Experience working directly with overseas vendors and factories (China, Vietnam, or similar manufacturing hubs)
  • Familiarity with CPSIA and plush safety standards (domestic & international)
  • Protects company assets through the proper management of asset files and adherence to company policy with regard to information security and management.

Education requirements:

  • Bachelor’s degree in Product Development, Fashion Technology, Industrial Design, or a related field

The above is intended to describe the general content of and requirements for the performance of this job. It is not to be construed as an exhaustive statement of essential functions, responsibilities or requirements. A full and complete copy of the Job Description is available upon request.

Want to Know More?

To learn more about our company, check out our web site at: www.Lumistella.com.

The Lumistella Company is an equal employment opportunity employer.