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Commission Animation Character Design Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Human Computer Lab

Character Artist

San Francisco, CA · On-site

$142K - $149K/yr

Are pursuing a degree in screen-writing, animation, character design, industrial design, or a related field - or have equivalent hands-on portfolio experience. * Have a portfolio that shows character ...

Leland

Animation & CGI Coach

$108K - $123K/yr

This role includes helping students develop core animation techniques and 3D modeling skills, along with more specialized areas like character design, storyboarding, motion graphics, rendering, and ...

Skydance

Character Designer

Santa Monica, CA · On-site

$2.9K - $4.0K/wk

Skydance Animation is seeking an experienced Character Designer to join our team on an upcoming ... From early concept exploration to final design execution, you will craft compelling, expressive ...

Skydance

Character Designer

Santa Monica, CA

$2.9K - $4.0K/wk

Skydance Animation is seeking an experienced Character Designer to join our team on an upcoming ... From early concept exploration to final design execution, you will craft compelling, expressive ...

Side

3D Character Artist - Talent Pool (N Americas)

$123K - $130K/yr

Strong understanding of anatomy, proportion, weight, and volume as they relate to character design and animation. * Experience with high- and low-poly modeling, texturing, and shading techniques.

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Commission Animation Character Design information

What is commission animation character design?

Commission animation character design is the process of hiring an artist or designer to create original character designs specifically for use in animations. Clients typically provide details about the desired style, personality, and purpose of the character, and the designer brings those ideas to life with visual concepts tailored for animation. This service is often used by animation studios, game developers, or individuals seeking unique characters for their projects. The final deliverables may include concept sketches, turnaround sheets, and colored illustrations suitable for animators.

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

To thrive as a Commission Animation Character Designer, you need strong drawing abilities, a solid understanding of character anatomy, color theory, and a portfolio showcasing diverse styles. Proficiency with digital illustration tools such as Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, and animation software like Toon Boom or Clip Studio Paint is typically required. Creativity, effective communication, and the ability to interpret client feedback are essential soft skills for success in commissioned work. These skills ensure the delivery of visually appealing, client-tailored character designs that meet project specifications and deadlines.

What are some common challenges faced by commission animation character designers when working with clients?

Commission animation character designers often encounter challenges such as interpreting and adapting to a client's vision, balancing creative input with client feedback, and managing revisions within agreed timelines. Clear communication is crucial to ensure the final design aligns with client expectations while maintaining artistic integrity. Additionally, designers must stay organized to handle multiple commissions simultaneously and remain adaptable to various animation styles or brand guidelines.

What is the difference between Commission Animation Character Design vs Commission Game Character Design?

AspectCommission Animation Character DesignCommission Game Character Design
Required SkillsDrawing, character development, animation basicsDrawing, 3D modeling, rigging
Work EnvironmentFreelance, animation studios, online platformsGame studios, freelance, online marketplaces
Industry UsageAnimation projects, commercials, short filmsVideo games, interactive media
Common Search IntentCreating animated characters for mediaDesigning characters for games

Commission Animation Character Design focuses on creating characters for animation projects, emphasizing drawing and animation skills. In contrast, Commission Game Character Design involves designing characters specifically for video games, often requiring 3D modeling and rigging expertise. Both roles share foundational art skills but differ in technical requirements and industry applications.

What cities are hiring for Commission Animation Character Design jobs?

Cities with the most Commission Animation Character Design job openings:

What are the most commonly searched types of Animation Character Design jobs?

The most popular types of Animation Character Design jobs are:

What states have the most Commission Animation Character Design jobs?

States with the most job openings for Commission Animation Character Design jobs include:

Commission Animation Character Design jobs near you

Character Artist

Human Computer Lab

San Francisco, CA • On-site

$142K - $149K/yr

Full-time

Posted 17 days ago

Job description

Human Computer Lab is a research lab building character robots that feel alive and responsive. Our first robot, LeLamp, explores a new category of consumer robotics where everyday objects become interactive and help us reshape our attachment to technology.
Our goal is to push the frontier of human-robot interaction by making technology more legible, emotionally intuitive, and human-centered. We are building the foundation for a new generation of robots designed for everyday environments.
What to expect
We're looking for a character artist to help define how LeLamp looks, moves, and feels - the visual and expressive language that makes a robot read as alive rather than mechanical. You'll work on everything from early concept sketches and mood boards to the motion, gesture, and lighting cues that give the robot its personality, translating character intent into something the hardware and software teams can actually build and ship. This role requires tight, fast-cycling collaboration with electrical, mechanical, and software teams - character decisions here don't stay on paper, they become motor curves, timing, and light behavior. You'll work closely with the CEO and founding team to shape the character identity of LeLamp and the robots that follow.
In this role, you will:
  • Create concept art, mood boards, and character studies that define LeLamp's personality and visual identity.
  • Collaborate with the hardware team on form factor, silhouette, materials, and color to keep the physical design aligned with the character.
  • Design expressive motion - gestures, "emotional" states, and behaviors expressed through movement, light, and sound.
  • Prototype and iterate quickly, moving between sketches, renders, and physical mockups.
  • Partner with robotics and software engineers to translate character intent into concrete behavior parameters (motion curves, timing, lighting cues).
  • Build and maintain style guides and a character bible to keep the robot's expression consistent as the team grows.
  • Review hardware and software prototypes against the character vision and give clear, actionable feedback.
  • Support brand and marketing assets to keep the character consistent across every touchpoint.

You may be a good fit if you:
  • Are pursuing a degree in screen-writing, animation, character design, industrial design, or a related field - or have equivalent hands-on portfolio experience.
  • Have a portfolio that shows character design or expressive design work, in 2D or 3D.
  • Document clearly and can explain the reasoning behind a design choice, not just the choice itself.
  • Are comfortable iterating quickly, moving from rough sketch to testable prototype without waiting for a perfect brief.
  • Are genuinely interested in physical products, not just screen-based or purely digital characters.

You will be a strong fit, if you:
  • Have designed characters or mascots that had to work within real hardware or physical constraints, not just on a screen.
  • Understand core animation principles (timing, weight, squash and stretch, anticipation) and know how to translate them into motors, servos, and lighting.
  • Are comfortable collaborating directly with engineers, turning an abstract sense of "feel" into concrete specs they can build against.
  • Move quickly through iteration cycles and don't wait for perfect information to make progress.
  • Take ownership over your work end to end, from first sketch to a behavior that's live in the robot.
  • Work well in small, collaborative teams where character, electrical, and mechanical are in constant conversation.
  • Care about what the character enables: warmth, expressiveness, and the feeling that the robot is alive.

The early team becomes the DNA of the company. We set ourselves and others to a high standard, and we respond with kindness when things get hard but keep everyone accountable. This requires us to be curious, creative, and diverse in our thinking and approach.
We're proud to be an equal opportunity employer and consider all qualified applicants regardless of race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status. Even if you don't meet every single requirement, we encourage you to apply. Studies show that women and underrepresented groups often hold back unless they meet 100% of the criteria - we don't want that to be the reason we miss out on great talent.

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