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Freelance Character Design Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Leland

Animation & CGI Coach

$108K - $123K/yr

... character design, storyboarding, motion graphics, rendering, and visual effects. Coaches also guide ... Ideal candidates have significant professional experience in animation or CGI (studio, freelance ...

Conveo.ai

Design Lead

New York, NY · On-site

That work is made by many hands, internal people, external partners, freelancers, and increasingly ... Keep the character intact as volume grows: warm stone ground, single accent, serif headlines, real ...

Conveo.ai

Design Lead

New York, NY · Remote

$150K - $190K/yr

That work is made by many hands, internal people, external partners, freelancers, and increasingly ... Keep the character intact as volume grows: warm stone ground, single accent, serif headlines, real ...

Chase Oaks Church

Brand & Design Director

Plano, TX · On-site

Manage freelancers and creative volunteers through providing feedback and direction * Design high ... Character - Being above reproach * Self-Leadership - Practicing rhythms that allow personal ...

Conveo

Design Lead

New York, NY · On-site

$150K - $190K/yr

That work is made by many hands, internal people, external partners, freelancers, and increasingly ... Keep the character intact as volume grows: warm stone ground, single accent, serif headlines, real ...

aitrainer

$90 - $130/hr

... technical design of facial and performance rigs. * A meticulous eye for micro-expressions ... Roles hired through Cincinnatus are not project-based or freelance engagements. They are structured ...

HUSH

Freelance Architectural Designer

Brooklyn, NY · On-site +1

Role Overview As a HUSH Architectural Designer, you bring a design sensibility rooted in art ... character. * Develop mood boards, visual narratives, and inspiration frameworks that guide the ...

HUSH

Freelance Architectural Designer

Brooklyn, NY · Remote

Role Overview As a HUSH Architectural Designer, you bring a design sensibility rooted in art ... character. * Develop mood boards, visual narratives, and inspiration frameworks that guide the ...

HUSH

Freelance Architectural Designer

New York, NY

Role Overview As a HUSH Architectural Designer, you bring a design sensibility rooted in art ... character. * Develop mood boards, visual narratives, and inspiration frameworks that guide the ...

National Opera Center

$57.31/hr

We believeevery team member enriches our organization by exposing a broad range of ways to understand and engage our community and discover, design, and deliver enriching experiences. Key ...

Solomon Page

Creative Designer

Kissimmee, FL · On-site

$35 - $40/hr

Review vendor-submitted design concepts and timelines, providing art direction, character overlays ... freelancers - which sets us apart in the industries we serve. About Solomon Page Founded in 1990 ...

fotf

Magazine Designer / Art Director

Colorado Springs, CO

$119K - $125K/yr

Creates and/or directs concept development, design, layout, and art production, requiring at times ... Familiarity with contract negotiations for freelance designers, illustrators, photographers, and ...

fotf

Magazine Designer / Art Director

Colorado Springs, CO

$119K - $125K/yr

Creates and/or directs concept development, design, layout, and art production, requiring at times ... Familiarity with contract negotiations for freelance designers, illustrators, photographers, and ...

fotf

Art Director I TFT

Colorado Springs, CO · On-site

$119K - $125K/yr

The Art Director I position exists to direct the graphic design activities of the design team under ... Familiarity with contract negotiations for freelance designers, illustrators, photographers, and ...

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Freelance Character Design information

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$14

$47

$132

How much do freelance character design jobs pay per hour?

As of Sep 6, 2026, the average hourly pay for freelance 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 a freelance character design?

A Freelance Character Design job involves creating unique characters for various media, such as games, animations, comics, and books, while working independently. Freelance character designers collaborate with clients to develop visually appealing and conceptually strong characters based on specific project needs. They handle tasks such as brainstorming, sketching, refining designs, and delivering final assets. Since it’s a freelance role, designers manage their schedules, pricing, and client communications. Successful freelancers build strong portfolios and maintain good client relationships to secure consistent work.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in freelance character design?

To thrive as a Freelance Character Designer, you need a strong portfolio demonstrating expertise in drawing, anatomy, creativity, and visual storytelling—often supported by formal art training or relevant experience. Proficiency in digital illustration tools like Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, or specialized software such as Clip Studio Paint is highly valued, and familiarity with 3D modeling tools can be a plus. Excellent communication, time management, and self-marketing skills are vital for managing client relationships and workflow independently. These competencies are important to produce compelling, client-focused designs and succeed in a competitive, project-based environment.

What are some common challenges freelance character designers face when working with multiple clients?

Freelance character designers often need to manage several projects simultaneously, each with unique client expectations, deadlines, and revision requests. Balancing creativity with client feedback while staying organized can be challenging, especially when communication preferences differ between clients. Staying consistently motivated and maintaining a strong pipeline of work often requires active networking and self-promotion. However, developing efficient workflows and clear communication strategies can significantly help in overcoming these challenges and building lasting professional relationships.

More about Freelance Character Design jobs

What cities are hiring for Freelance Character Design jobs?

Cities with the most Freelance Character Design job openings:

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

The most popular types of Character Design jobs are:

What states have the most Freelance Character Design jobs?

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

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Freelance Character Design jobs near you
Infographic showing various Freelance Character Design job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 90% Full Time, 7% Part Time, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 85% Physical, 4% Hybrid, and 11% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $99,230 per year, or $47.7 per hour.

Animation & CGI Coach

Leland

Remote

$108K - $123K/yr

Contractor

Re-posted 23 days ago

Job description

Leland is building the home for ambition in the age of AI. We connect people with the experts, programs, and communities they need to land the job, get into the school, or upskill for a world being rewritten by AI. We help businesses become AI-native through training, hiring, and infrastructure. Since our founding in 2021, we've helped tens of thousands of people reach their most ambitious goals and raised $19M from world-class investors. Ambition is sacred to us, and we've built a product that takes that seriously.
We're seeking an experienced animation and CGI professional to coach students looking to build or advance a career in the field. 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 visual effects. Coaches also guide students through CGI production and post-production workflows, animation software proficiency, and animation direction, while helping them explore paths in film animation, game animation, and virtual reality design. Additional support includes skill building, resume and cover letter review, LinkedIn review, networking strategy, and preparation for both behavioral and technical interviews, as well as guidance on salary negotiation and freelancing for students pursuing independent work. Ideal candidates have significant professional experience in animation or CGI (studio, freelance, or a combination), prior mentoring or teaching experience, and a clear, structured approach to helping students grow their craft and their career. Coaches set their own hours and rates, host sessions virtually, and partner with our team to deliver a high-quality, supportive experience for every student.
Why Leland?
  • The chance to join a world-class team helping people achieve their career and educational dreams
  • Work in a collaborative, high-energy environment where your contributions have a direct impact
  • Operate in a fast-paced, AI-native environment
  • We don't hire people who merely want to work for a great company; we hire people who want to make a great company

Leland is an equal opportunity employer. We encourage candidates of all backgrounds and demographics to apply.

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