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Freelance Animation Character Design Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Jobgether

Collaborate closely with animators, gameplay programmers, and design teams to prototype and implement combat features. * Take character concepts through the full production cycle, from early ideation ...

Scattermesh

3D Character Artist

Herndon, VA · On-site

$124K - $130K/yr

... design. The ideal candidate will have experience creating photorealistic human characters of ... Understanding of FACS, facial blendshapes, facial performance animation, and wrinkle-map systems is ...

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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How much do freelance animation character design jobs pay per hour?

As of Jun 19, 2026, the average hourly pay for freelance animation character design in the United States is $47.71, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $24.28 and $61.78 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is the difference between Freelance Animation Character Design vs Freelance 3D Modeler?

AspectFreelance Animation Character DesignFreelance 3D Modeler
Skills & CredentialsDrawing, illustration, character concept skills, portfolio3D modeling, software proficiency (e.g., Blender, Maya), portfolio
Work EnvironmentCreative studios, remote, client meetingsRemote, studio, or on-site, client collaboration
Industry UsageAnimation, gaming, advertisingGaming, film, product visualization
Search & Comparison IntentClients seeking character design for animation projectsClients needing 3D models for various media

While both roles involve digital artistry, Freelance Animation Character Designers focus on creating 2D character concepts and illustrations for animation and media, whereas Freelance 3D Modelers specialize in building three-dimensional models for various applications. Understanding these differences helps clients find the right freelancer for their project needs.

More about Freelance Animation Character Design jobs
What cities are hiring for Freelance Animation Character Design jobs? Cities with the most Freelance 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 Freelance Animation Character Design jobs? States with the most job openings for Freelance Animation Character Design jobs include:
What job categories do people searching Freelance Animation Character Design jobs look for? The top searched job categories for Freelance Animation Character Design jobs are:
Freelance Animation Character Design jobs near you
Infographic showing various Freelance Animation Character Design job openings in the United States as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 33% Internship, and 67% Part Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $99,230 per year, or $47.7 per hour.

Character Designer

Jobgether

On-site, Remote

Full-time

Medical, Dental, PTO

Posted 8 days ago

Job description

This position is listed on behalf of a partner company, who manages all applications and next steps. Our partner is looking for a Character Designer based in Netherlands.

This role offers the opportunity to shape memorable, gameplay-driven characters at the core of a highly ambitious video game project. You will be responsible for designing characters that are not only visually compelling but also deeply integrated into combat mechanics, abilities, and player experience. Working in a highly collaborative game development environment, you will partner closely with animators, gameplay programmers, and designers to bring characters from early concept through full production and release. Your work will directly influence how players interact with and experience combat systems, making character design a central pillar of gameplay innovation. The environment is creative, iterative, and highly hands-on, with a strong focus on prototyping, player feedback, and continuous refinement. This is a role for a designer who thrives on blending artistic vision with gameplay functionality in modern game development.

Accountabilities
  • Design and develop gameplay-driven characters, ensuring they integrate meaningfully into combat systems and player experience.
  • Identify opportunities to introduce engaging gameplay hooks through character design, abilities, and mechanics.
  • Collaborate closely with animators, gameplay programmers, and design teams to prototype and implement combat features.
  • Take character concepts through the full production cycle, from early ideation to final in-game implementation.
  • Design and refine combat mechanics, weapons, abilities, and character-specific systems with a focus on balance and player engagement.
  • Use player feedback, analytics, and gameplay metrics to iterate and improve character designs.
  • Support hands-on prototyping in collaboration with engineering and design teams, including working with Unreal Engine workflows.
  • Ensure clear documentation and communication of character design intent, mechanics, and iteration updates.
  • Contribute to maintaining consistency in character identity, gameplay clarity, and overall game experience.
  • Continuously refine designs based on testing, balancing, and live or playtest feedback.
Requirements
  • At least 2 years of experience as a Character Designer or similar role on shipped game titles.
  • Proven experience taking character designs from concept through to full production and release.
  • Strong passion for third-person action and combat-focused gameplay systems.
  • Deep understanding of character design principles including strengths, weaknesses, counterplay, and gameplay balance.
  • Strong portfolio demonstrating original, thematic, and gameplay-integrated character designs.
  • Experience working in iterative, prototype-driven development environments.
  • Familiarity with Unreal Engine 5, including Blueprint-based workflows for ability or gameplay prototyping.
  • Strong collaboration skills with animators, engineers, and cross-functional game development teams.
  • Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal, with the ability to clearly articulate design intent.
  • Strong interest in gameplay systems and how character design influences player experience and engagement.
  • Ability to respond to feedback and iterate quickly in a fast-paced creative environment.
Benefits
  • Fully remote working model with flexibility to work from almost anywhere.
  • Generous paid time off allowance.
  • Additional studio-wide closures during summer and winter holidays (separate from PTO).
  • Private medical and dental healthcare coverage.
  • Private mental health support scheme.
  • Annual health and wellbeing allowance.
  • Discretionary performance-based studio bonus.
  • High-quality equipment provided for home workspace setup.
  • Flexible, trust-based culture focused on outcomes over hours worked.
  • Strong emphasis on autonomy, creativity, and ownership of work.
  • Inclusive and collaborative environment centered on continuous improvement and craft excellence.
How Jobgether works:
We use an AI-powered matching process to ensure your application is reviewed quickly, objectively, and fairly against the role's core requirements. Our system identifies the top-fitting candidates, and this shortlist is then shared directly with the hiring company. The final decision and next steps (interviews, assessments) are managed by their internal team.
We appreciate your interest and wish you the best!
 Why Apply Through Jobgether? 
 
Data Privacy Notice: By submitting your application, you acknowledge that Jobgether will process your personal data to evaluate your candidacy and share relevant information with the hiring employer. This processing is based on legitimate interest and pre-contractual measures under applicable data protection laws (including GDPR). You may exercise your rights (access, rectification, erasure, objection) at any time.
 
 
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We may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support parts of the hiring process, such as reviewing applications, analyzing resumes, or assessing responses and identifying potential inconsistencies or verification signals in application materials based on available information. These tools assist our recruitment team but do not replace human judgment. Final hiring decisions are ultimately made by humans. If you would like more information about how your data is processed, please contact us.
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