ZipRecruiter

Log In

1

Game Character Design Jobs (NOW HIRING)

DreamForge Games

UI/UX Game Design Lead

Miami, FL · On-site +1

$159K/yr

Design How AI Video Games are Created and Played! We're an ambitious new game studio on a mission ... Determine how players will interact with "Forge", the character that helps them build their Dreams

DreamForge Games Corporation

UI/UX Game Design Lead

Miami, FL · On-site +1

$159K/yr

Design How AI Video Games are Created and Played! We're an ambitious new game studio on a mission ... Determine how players will interact with "Forge", the character that helps them build their Dreams

Epic Games

Senior Game Designer

Cary, NC · On-site

From character and level design to competitive gameplay and system design, help shape the future of interactive entertainment at Epic. What You'll Do Epic Games is seeking an experienced Senior Game ...

Naughty Dog

Senior Game Designer (Combat)

Santa Monica, CA · On-site

$145K - $181K/yr

Pitch, design, implement, and own enemy NPC archetypes * Work with AI programmers to develop ... Fluent in modern character action-adventure and shooter combat games. Maintains knowledge of the ...

DreamForge Games

UI/UX Game Design Lead (Remote)

Miami, FL · Remote

$170K/yr

Design How AI Video Games are Created and Played! We're an ambitious new game studio on a mission ... Determine how players will interact with Forge, the character that helps them build their Dreams

Embedding VC

Founding Game Designer

San Francisco, CA · On-site +1

$182K/yr

... character. You'll work at the intersection of game design, child development, and generative AI, building design frameworks from scratch in a Godot 4 environment where the content is procedural and ...

Merestone

Be Seen First

Brand and Marketing Designer - Experiential

Phoenix, AZ · On-site

If your portfolio primarily consists of video game environments, character design, animation, or concept art without real-world built projects, this position is likely not the right fit. Company ...

Merestone

Be Seen First

Brand and Marketing Designer - Experiential

Tempe, AZ · On-site

If your portfolio primarily consists of video game environments, character design, animation, or concept art without real-world built projects, this position is likely not the right fit. Company ...

next page

Showing results 1-20

All JobsGame Character Design Jobs

Game Character Design information

See salary details

$79.5K

$130.8K

$196K

How much do game character design jobs pay per year?

As of Jun 21, 2026, the average yearly pay for game character design in the United States is $130,762.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $107,000.00 and $150,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

Is character design a good career?

Character design is a viable career within the gaming and entertainment industries, involving creating visual concepts for characters using skills in drawing, digital tools, and storytelling. Success often depends on a strong portfolio, proficiency in software like Adobe Photoshop or Blender, and industry experience. It can offer creative fulfillment and job opportunities, but competition can be high and freelance work may require self-marketing skills.

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 personal 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.

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.

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

In game character design, senior or lead roles often reach or exceed $80,000 annually, especially with experience and in larger studios. These positions typically require strong skills in digital art, 3D modeling, and software like Photoshop or Maya, along with a solid portfolio. Salaries can vary based on location, company size, and individual expertise.

How much do game character designers make?

Game character designers typically earn between $50,000 and $85,000 annually, depending on experience, location, and the complexity of projects. Entry-level designers may start lower, while experienced professionals or those working for major studios can earn higher salaries, especially with skills in digital sculpting and animation tools.

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.

More about Game Character Design jobs
What cities are hiring for Game Character Design jobs? Cities with the most Game Character Design job openings:
What are the most commonly searched types of Game Character Design jobs? The most popular types of Game Character Design jobs are:
What states have the most Game Character Design jobs? States with the most job openings for Game Character Design jobs include:
What job categories do people searching Game Character Design jobs look for? The top searched job categories for Game Character Design jobs are:
Game Character Design jobs near you
Character Concept Artist (Senior/Principal)

Character Concept Artist (Senior/Principal)

Bonfire Studios

Irvine, CA • On-site, Remote

Full-time

Posted 5 days ago

Job description

What's the one game you couldn't put down? The game that connected you with friends, and made you feel like you belonged? If a game has ever defined a chapter of your life, then you already know the spark we're chasing. Our mission is to ignite that same feeling for players; the thrill of competition, the joy of community, and the belonging of finding your own corner of a larger world.
Great games begin with people who dare to dream big. If that sounds exciting, you might be exactly who we're looking for.
Bonfire is a group of experienced and ambitious developers, proud to be creating our first original IP: Arkheron. It is a fast-paced, competitive PVP game set in a surreal dark fantasy world where 15 teams of three battle their way up the Tower. In a world built from memories, you will loot powerful items to create and adapt a unique build-out that will change your strategy and combat experience with every Ascension.
The best way to understand our Art team is in their own words - here's how they describe their work.
Our goal is to immerse players in an extraordinary and haunting realm. From initial concept art to final in-game elements, we are crafting a compelling aesthetic experience that seamlessly blends with and brings to life the game's narrative, level design, combat and audio. We play the game daily and our deep understanding of it allows us to deliver visuals that put the player experience first, while still pushing artistic boundaries to fully capture the unique tone and unforgettable atmosphere of the Arkheron's world.
As a Senior/Principal Character Concept Artist at Bonfire, you'll help shape the look and feel of Arkheron by creating characters that are both captivating and believable. This role calls for a strong balance of imagination and design clarity, resulting in bold ideas and then refining them into concepts that elevate every aspect of our game. You'll explore anatomy, costume, and prop design to ground your characters in authenticity while capturing Arkheron's distinctive tone.
YOU'LL CONTRIBUTE BY:
  • Creating concept art for characters, creatures, and props; from loose exploratory sketches to fully rendered designs.
  • Developing visually striking and clear character skin concepts that strengthen the narrative and align seamlessly with the IP.
  • Partnering with Art Directors, Artists, Animators, and Designers to ensure characters and creatures not only look compelling but function well in-game.
  • Collaborating with 3D Artists through detailed paint-overs and feedback to refine designs and solve visual challenges.
  • Producing well-researched mood boards and rapid iterations that inspire new themes and directions for the art team.
  • Bringing your unique passions and perspective to the broader studio and contributing beyond your core discipline that help shape not just the look of Arkheron, but also the creative practices of the team.

WE'RE EXCITED ABOUT YOU BECAUSE YOU:
  • Bring a stunning portfolio that showcases your strongest work and highlights your range as a concept artist.
  • Have built a career creating characters, costumes, and creatures that push the limits of quality and creativity (whether in AAA games or film) leaving players and audiences with designs they remember.
  • Demonstrate outstanding draftsmanship and artistic fundamentals, with deep knowledge of costume and fashion design across eras and cultures, a strong sense of materials, and the ability to communicate them visually.
  • Can illustrate FX and animation through storyboards, and bring expert-level proficiency in Photoshop to your work.
  • Hold yourself to a high quality bar, and proactively adapt to creative challenges to ensure the art always elevates the game.
  • Thrive on collaboration, adapting your communication style (written, verbal, and visual) to meet the needs of your teammates.
  • Actively seek and apply feedback across disciplines, staying curious about other teams' challenges and using those insights to strengthen how art supports gameplay.
  • Embrace accountability, consistently meet deadlines, and bring a self-starting, self-managing approach that keeps you moving in step with development.

THIS MIGHT NOT BE THE ROLE FOR YOU IF:
  • You're happiest on large teams with clear, specialized lanes. At Bonfire, we're a small, senior group where everyone wears a few different hats.
  • Radical transparency and direct feedback feel uncomfortable. We rely on openness and shared ownership to do our best work together.
  • You'd rather follow an established process than help shape and evolve one. Here, we're always iterating as the team and game grow.
  • Playfulness and creativity don't feel essential to you. For us, they're core ingredients in making something truly special.
  • You prefer to stay narrowly focused on your craft. This role is about collaborating across disciplines and influencing areas beyond your immediate specialty.

YOU'LL LOVE WORKING AT BONFIRE BECAUSE WE:
  • Embrace bold challenges with creativity and courage, making the tough calls to build a game we're proud to play every day.
  • Keep fun at the core: we play Arkheron daily, staying grounded as players. If it's not more fun than yesterday, we fix it. We don't chase trends; we listen by playing.
  • Stay truly independent, with decisions driven by the team - not by investors or a board.
  • Thrive in a culture of passion, trust, and shared ownership; where transparency matters and egos don't.

The base salary range for this role is $174,800 - $221,817. Depending on your experience and level (whether you're closer to mid-level or principal), your offer may land above or below that range. We don't just look at years on a résumé - we think about the impact you can have on the team and the game. Of course, compensation at Bonfire goes beyond salary. Every new teammate receives equity, plus a full benefits package and some extra perks to make work (and life) better. When we connect, we'll happily walk you through the full details.
Want to get a feel for what it's like to work here? You can check out more about our culture, team, benefits, and perks at www.bonfirestudios.com. And don't worry - anything you share with us in the application process is just for recruiting and won't be shared. You can read more in our privacy policy.

Apply