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Game Character Design Jobs in Virginia (NOW HIRING)

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Game Character Design information

See Virginia salary details

$78.8K

$129.6K

$194.3K

How much do game character design jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 19, 2026, the average yearly pay for game character design in Virginia is $129,640.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $106,100.00 and $148,700.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

Is character design a good career?

Character design is a viable career in the gaming and entertainment industries, requiring skills in illustration, 3D modeling, and software such as Photoshop or Blender. Success often depends on a strong portfolio, creativity, and industry experience, with opportunities in game studios, animation, and freelance work.

How to become a game character designer?

To become a game character designer, develop strong skills in drawing, 3D modeling, and animation using tools like Photoshop, Blender, or Maya. Obtain a relevant degree in game design, art, or a related field, build a portfolio showcasing character concepts, and gain experience through internships or freelance projects in the gaming industry.

What is a Game Character Design job?

A Game Character Design job involves creating the visual appearance, personality, and style of characters in video games. Designers develop concept art, refine designs based on feedback, and collaborate with animators and 3D modelers to bring characters to life. They ensure that characters fit the game's world, story, and mechanics. Strong artistic skills, creativity, and knowledge of anatomy, color theory, and game engines are essential for this role.

How do I get a job as a game designer?

To become a game designer, develop a strong portfolio showcasing your design skills, gain experience through internships or entry-level positions, and learn industry-standard tools like Unity or Unreal Engine. A background in game development, art, or programming can also be beneficial, along with a good understanding of game mechanics and storytelling.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in the Game Character Design position, and why are they important?

To excel in Game Character Design, you need strong artistic skills in illustration and 3D modeling, typically supported by a degree in art, animation, or a related field. Proficiency with industry-standard tools such as Adobe Creative Suite, ZBrush, Maya, or Blender is essential, and a professional portfolio is often required. Creativity, collaboration, and effective communication are important soft skills, as you’ll regularly work with developers, animators, and other artists. These abilities ensure you can create visually compelling and technically sound characters that fit within the overall game vision and development pipeline.

How to get hired as a character designer?

To get hired as a game character designer, build a strong portfolio showcasing your concept art and character designs, and gain proficiency in industry-standard tools like Adobe Photoshop and Blender. Relevant experience, a good understanding of anatomy, storytelling, and game development processes, along with networking within the industry, can improve your chances of employment.

What are the typical daily responsibilities of a Game Character Designer in a game development studio?

A Game Character Designer typically spends their day brainstorming and sketching new character concepts, collaborating closely with creative directors and narrative teams to ensure characters support the game's story and style. They create detailed character models, textures, and sometimes rigging, using both traditional art techniques and digital tools. Regular feedback sessions and revisions are a normal part of the process, requiring open communication with animators and programmers to address technical constraints. This collaborative environment helps ensure that character designs are both artistic and functional within the game's mechanics.

What are popular job titles related to Game Character Design jobs in Virginia? For Game Character Design jobs in Virginia, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Game Character Design jobs in Virginia look for? The top searched job categories for Game Character Design jobs in Virginia are:
Game Character Design jobs near you
Infographic showing various Game Character Design job openings in Virginia as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 9% Internship, 45% Full Time, and 46% Part Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $129,640 per year, or $62.3 per hour.
Adjunct Faculty - Animation and Motion Design

Adjunct Faculty - Animation and Motion Design

Regent University

Virginia Beach, VA • On-site

$100/hr

Part-time

Re-posted 11 days ago

Regent University rating

7.7

Company rating: 7.7 out of 10

Based on 13 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

228th of 555 rated colleges and universities

Job description

Adjunct Faculty - Animation and Motion Design
Job no: 50000453
Work type: Part time
Location: Virginia Beach
Categories: Faculty & Adjunct, School of Communications & the Arts
The Department of Film & Media Arts at Regent University's School of Communication and the Arts invites applications from experienced animation and digital media professionals to join our adjunct faculty. We are building a pool of skilled instructors and will select candidates whose backgrounds best serve our students, so whatever your area of expertise within the craft, we encourage you to apply.
Disciplines and Delivery Formats
Teaching opportunities are available at the undergraduate level, at Regent's campus in Virginia Beach on-campus. We are actively seeking instructors with professional experience in one or more of the following areas:
  • 2D & 3D Animation
  • Character Animation
  • Storyboarding & Visual Development
  • Motion Design
  • Compositing
  • Visual Effects (VFX)
  • Digital Modeling, Texturing, and Look Development
  • Lighting and Rendering
  • Animation Pre-Production and Pipeline Development
  • Cinematography for Animation
  • Editing and Post-Production
  • Visual Storytelling and Narrative Development
  • Interactive Media and Emerging Technologies

Whether your background is in feature animation, television animation, motion graphics, commercial production, visual effects, game cinematics, virtual production, or a combination of these fields, we want to hear from you. We value depth of industry experience and a genuine passion for mentoring the next generation of Christian storytellers.
Expectations include 1) a dedication to Christ-centered teaching and learning; 2) a record of or potential for academic scholarship; 3) the ability to teach undergraduate-level courses; 4) facility with online instructional technology; and 5) a willingness to embrace the College and University Identity and Mission statements and subscribe to a statement of Christian faith.
Salary: $100/credit hour/student up to $3,000 per course
Please submit your CV, a brief statement of teaching philosophy, and any relevant professional credits along with your application.
Regent University does not discriminate in employment in its programs or activities on the basis of race, color, national or ethnic origin, sex, disability, age or veteran status. For full Non-Discrimination Policy click here.
Benefits
Not eligible for benefits
#LI-DNI
Advertised: 08 Jun 2026 Eastern Daylight Time
Applications close: 08 Jun 2027 Eastern Daylight Time
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