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Entry Level Game Character Design Jobs in California

TrueShort

Reference Designer

Los Angeles, CA · On-site +1

Examples of character, prop, or environment design work * Optional: links to any animation, film, game, or visual development projects * A brief overview of your workflow and preferred creative tools

2K

Senior Gameplay Animator

Novato, CA · On-site

$124K - $142K/yr

Maintain a strong understanding of character performance, form, gestures, and silhouettes for both ... We will work closely and constructively across design, art, engineering, animation, and audio teams ...

2K

Senior Gameplay Animator

Novato, CA

$124K - $142K/yr

Maintain a strong understanding of character performance, form, gestures, and silhouettes for both ... We will work closely and constructively across design, art, engineering, animation, and audio teams ...

Cloud Chamber

Senior Gameplay Animator

Novato, CA · On-site

$124K - $142K/yr

Maintain a strong understanding of character performance, form, gestures, and silhouettes for both ... We will work closely and constructively across design, art, engineering, animation, and audio teams ...

Cloud Chamber

Senior Gameplay Animator

Novato, CA · On-site

$124K - $142K/yr

Maintain a strong understanding of character performance, form, gestures, and silhouettes for both ... We will work closely and constructively across design, art, engineering, animation, and audio teams ...

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All JobsGame Character Design JobsEntry Level Game Character Design JobsEntry Level Game Character Design Jobs in California

Entry Level Game Character Design information

What is the starting salary for a character designer?

The starting salary for an entry-level game character designer typically ranges from $40,000 to $60,000 annually, depending on location, company size, and individual skills. Proficiency in design software like Photoshop or Blender and a strong portfolio can influence salary offers.

How to get into character design for games?

Entry level game character design requires developing strong drawing skills, understanding anatomy, and familiarity with design software like Adobe Photoshop or Illustrator. Building a portfolio showcasing original character concepts and gaining experience through internships, online courses, or personal projects can help entry-level candidates enter the field.

How to get hired as a character designer?

To get hired as an entry-level game character designer, build a strong portfolio showcasing your art and character concepts, gain proficiency in design tools like Photoshop or Blender, and develop an understanding of game development processes. Internships, networking within the industry, and continuous skill improvement can also increase your chances of employment.

What is the difference between Entry Level Game Character Design vs Entry Level 3D Modeler?

AspectEntry Level Game Character DesignEntry Level 3D Modeler
Required SkillsConcept art, character creation, basic anatomy, digital illustration3D modeling, texturing, software proficiency (e.g., Blender, Maya)
Work EnvironmentGame studios, creative teams, collaborative projectsGame studios, animation companies, visual effects teams
Common UsageDesigning characters for video games, storytelling, concept developmentCreating 3D assets for games, movies, animations

While both roles involve digital art and work within the gaming industry, Entry Level Game Character Design focuses on conceptualizing and illustrating characters, whereas Entry Level 3D Modeler emphasizes creating three-dimensional models. Understanding these differences helps aspiring artists choose the right career path based on their skills and interests.

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

In the field of game character design, senior or lead roles such as Senior Character Artist or Art Director can earn around $80,000 annually, especially with experience and in larger studios. These positions often require advanced skills in 3D modeling, animation, and software like Maya or ZBrush, and may involve overseeing a team or developing complex character assets.
What are the most commonly searched types of Game Character Design jobs in California? The most popular types of Game Character Design jobs in California are:
What cities in California are hiring for Entry Level Game Character Design jobs? Cities in California with the most Entry Level Game Character Design job openings:
Entry Level Game Character Design jobs near you

Reference Designer

TrueShort

Los Angeles, CA • On-site, Remote

Full-time

Posted 19 days ago

Job description

Reference Designer
About TrueShort
TrueShort is one of the fastest-growing streaming apps in the United States. An AI studio and streaming platform where we experiment, develop and release original series and films constantly. No development purgatory.
Built for mobile-first viewing, TrueShort delivers premium, bingeable storytelling across an expanding slate of genres, reimagining how modern audiences discover and experience great stories.
Our team is experimenting at the frontier of AI-powered entertainment production across animation, live action, and emerging storytelling formats.
Backed by Jeffrey Katzenberg (Founder of DreamWorks), Scott Belsky, Ravi Nandan (A24), Khosla Ventures, and others.
Role Overview
We're looking for Reference Designers to help develop the visual foundation of original series and films across a wide range of genres and formats.
Reference Designers are responsible for creating the core visual assets that guide production across each series, including character references, environments, props, color direction, and visual worldbuilding materials. Your work will help establish consistency and creative clarity for AI filmmakers, editors, and showrunners throughout production.
This role sits at the intersection of concept design, visual development, and AI-native production workflows. We're looking for artists with strong visual taste, storytelling instincts, and an understanding of how to design assets that translate effectively into AI generation pipelines.
Responsibilities
  • Design character reference sheets, props, environments, and worldbuilding assets
  • Develop cohesive visual identities and style direction for original series
  • Collaborate closely with Showrunners, writers, and AI filmmakers during development and production
  • Create organized reference packs that help maintain consistency across episodes
  • Iterate quickly based on creative feedback and evolving production needs
  • Help establish visual rules, tone, color language, and design continuity for each project
  • Prepare assets and references optimized for AI image and video generation workflows
  • Contribute to the overall creative development of new series and worlds

Preferred Skills & Experience
  • Strong background in character design, concept art, production design, or visual development
  • Strong eye for composition, color, silhouette, shape language, and visual storytelling
  • Experience with AI image-generation tools (Midjourney, Nano Banana, Seedream, Flux, etc.)
  • Familiarity with AI video-generation workflows is a plus (Kling, Veo, Seedance, Runway, etc.)
  • Comfortable working across multiple visual styles and genres
  • Ability to create clear, production-ready visual reference materials
  • Familiarity with Photoshop or other visual editing/compositing tools
  • Passion for animation, filmmaking, internet culture, and emerging creative technology

Compensation & Details
  • Contract Role
  • Potential for long-term employment or full-time role
  • $300 - $800 per series
  • Los Angeles preferred (open to remote)

To Apply
Please send:
  • Portfolio or relevant work samples
  • Examples of character, prop, or environment design work
  • Optional: links to any animation, film, game, or visual development projects
  • A brief overview of your workflow and preferred creative tools

Apply