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Full Time 2D Character Artist Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Absurd Ventures

Lead Character Artist

Santa Monica, CA · On-site

$170K - $200K/yr

As Lead Character Artist, you will be responsible for creating and overseeing the production of ... Description * Full-time job with benefits. * Role is on-site in Santa Monica, CA. * Office is ...

SciPlay

Senior Technical Artist

Austin, TX

$125K - $150K/yr

Position Summary The Senior Technical Artist acts as aresource within the art team, mentoring other ... Animation - 2D character specific * Scripting ability to common art tooling (Photoshop, 3dx Max ...

SciPlay

Senior Technical Artist

Austin, TX · On-site

$125K - $150K/yr

Position Summary The Senior Technical Artist acts as a resource within the art team, mentoring ... Animation - 2D character specific * Scripting ability to common art tooling (Photoshop, 3dx Max ...

Netflix

Storyboard Artist - Ink

Los Angeles, CA · On-site

$74.52/hr

Use knowledge of 2D and/or CG animation to ensure that posing, staging, and cutting is both ... storytelling, character development, composition, and editorial pacing. * Advanced working ...

Netflix

Storyboard Artist - Ink

Vancouver, WA

$74.52/hr

Use knowledge of 2D and/or CG animation to ensure that posing, staging, and cutting is both ... storytelling, character development, composition, and editorial pacing. * Advanced working ...

Netflix

Storyboard Artist - Ink

Los Angeles, CA

$74.52/hr

Use knowledge of 2D and/or CG animation to ensure that posing, staging, and cutting is both ... storytelling, character development, composition, and editorial pacing. * Advanced working ...

Imagination

2D Designer - Brand & Digital

New York, NY · On-site

$80K - $90K/yr

Creative - 2D / Brand Employment Type: Full Time Location: New York Compensation: $80,000 - $90,000 ... A qualification in Graphic Design, Visual Communication, Visual Arts or a related creative ...

Netflix

CG Artist, Experimental - INK

Los Angeles, CA · On-site

$62.74/hr

Use GenAI tools such as ComfyUI to generate concept frames, style frames, character explorations ... Experience with ComfyUI and traditional CG 2D and/or 3D DCCs such as Photoshop, Maya, Houdini ...

Epic Games

Modeling Outsource Artist

Cary, NC · On-site

... character and concept artists who strive to innovate and inspire. What You'll Do Psyonix is ... and 2D/3D texturing software (A plus if experienced with Flow ("Shotgrid") and Miro) * Highly ...

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Full Time 2D Character Artist information

See salary details

$104.5K

$120.5K

$128.5K

How much do full time 2d character artist jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 19, 2026, the average yearly pay for full time 2d character artist in the United States is $120,531.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $121,000.00 and $127,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

How does a Full Time 2D Character Artist typically collaborate with other departments during game development?

As a Full Time 2D Character Artist, you will frequently collaborate with game designers, animators, and developers to ensure that character concepts align with gameplay and storytelling needs. You'll participate in regular meetings to review feedback, make necessary revisions, and maintain consistency with the overall visual style of the project. Effective communication and adaptability are key, as you'll often need to adjust your designs based on technical constraints or narrative updates. This cross-departmental collaboration fosters a dynamic environment and can provide valuable learning opportunities from different creative perspectives.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Full Time 2D Character Artist, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Full Time 2D Character Artist, you need strong drawing fundamentals, an understanding of anatomy, color theory, and character design, often supported by a relevant art degree or portfolio. Proficiency in digital art tools such as Adobe Photoshop, Clip Studio Paint, or Procreate is typically expected, and familiarity with asset management systems can be beneficial. Creativity, attention to detail, and effective communication are important soft skills that enable collaboration and innovation. These skills and qualities are essential for producing engaging characters that meet project requirements and resonate with audiences.

What is the difference between Full Time 2D Character Artist vs 2D Concept Artist?

AspectFull Time 2D Character Artist2D Concept Artist
Primary FocusCreating detailed character illustrations for games, animation, or comicsDesigning characters, environments, and assets for concepts and pre-production
Skills & ToolsProficiency in Photoshop, illustration, anatomy, and character designSketching, brainstorming, visual storytelling, and concept development
Work EnvironmentFull-time employment in game studios, animation companies, or publishersFreelance or studio-based, often in pre-production phases
Industry UsageCommonly hired for ongoing character asset creationHired for initial design phases and concept development

While both roles involve character design, a Full Time 2D Character Artist focuses on creating polished, production-ready characters for ongoing projects, whereas a 2D Concept Artist specializes in initial designs and visual ideas during the pre-production stage.

What does a Full Time 2D Character Artist do?

A Full Time 2D Character Artist is responsible for creating and designing character illustrations, concept art, and visual assets for various media such as video games, animation, and comics. They work closely with art directors and other team members to develop unique characters that fit the project's style and vision. Their tasks often include sketching, refining designs, finalizing artwork, and ensuring consistency across all character assets. Attention to detail, creativity, and strong drawing skills are essential in this role.
More about Full Time 2D Character Artist jobs
What cities are hiring for Full Time 2D Character Artist jobs? Cities with the most Full Time 2D Character Artist job openings:
What are the most commonly searched types of 2D Character Artist jobs? The most popular types of 2D Character Artist jobs are:
What states have the most Full Time 2D Character Artist jobs? States with the most job openings for Full Time 2D Character Artist jobs include:
What job categories do people searching Full Time 2D Character Artist jobs look for? The top searched job categories for Full Time 2D Character Artist jobs are:
Full Time 2D Character Artist jobs near you
Infographic showing various Full Time 2D Character Artist job openings in the United States as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 100% Full Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $120,531 per year, or $57.9 per hour.

Lead Character Artist

Absurd Ventures

Santa Monica, CA • On-site

$170K - $200K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 21 days ago

Job description

Summary
We are seeking a highly skilled and experienced Lead Character Artist to join our dynamic team. As Lead Character Artist, you will be responsible for creating and overseeing the production of high-quality character assets. You will have a direct impact on the visual identity of our games, bringing characters to life with stunning detail and artistic excellence.
Core Responsibilities
  • Lead the character art team in the creation of high-quality character models.
  • Collaborate with the Art Director to define the visual style of characters.
  • Sculpt, model, and texture characters to meet the artistic and technical requirements of the project.
  • Contribute in planning, organization and prioritization of tasks with Production for internal, OS, and co dev partners.
  • Create and maintain character pipeline documentation for training and onboarding
  • Proactively identify risks in character art production timelines and effectively communicate risks to Production and Directors.
  • Mentor and provide feedback to other character artists.
  • Ensure character assets are optimized for performance and memory usage.
  • Work closely with rigging, animation, and technical art teams to ensure characters are ready for implementation.
  • Stay current with industry trends and techniques in character art.

Core Qualifications
  • Bachelor's degree in Fine Arts, Game Art, or related field.
  • 7+ years of experience in character art within the video game industry.
  • Strong proficiency in Maya, ZBrush, and Substance Painter.
  • Significant experience in Unreal Engine
  • Excellent understanding of anatomy, form, and silhouette.
  • Experience with PBR and hand-painted texturing workflows.
  • Proven track record of creating high-quality character models for AAA titles.
  • Ability to lead a team and work collaboratively across departments.

Plus if...
  • Experience with character rigging and skinning.
  • Knowledge of Marvelous Designer or similar tools for clothing simulation.
  • Experience with rigid body dynamics and cloth simulation in Unreal Engine
  • Previous work in a leadership role on a major game title.

Description
  • Full-time job with benefits.
  • Role is on-site in Santa Monica, CA.
  • Office is located near downtown Santa Monica - near metro and freeway.

The base pay range for this position is $170,000 to $200,000 per year. Actual compensation is based on market location and may vary depending on job-related knowledge, skills, and experience. We also offer a competitive package of benefits including vacation time, sick time, company holidays, parental leave, medical/dental/vision insurance, life insurance, disability insurance, and 401(k) matching to regular full-time employees. Certain roles may also be eligible for bonus and equity.

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