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Intern Visual Development Artist Jobs in California

Skydance

Visual Development Artist

Santa Monica, CA

$2K - $4K/wk

Skydance Animation is seeking an experienced Visual Development Artist to join our team on an upcoming feature film. In this role, you will help shape the worlds our story takes place in by ...

Skydance

Visual Development Artist

Santa Monica, CA · On-site

$2K - $4K/wk

Skydance Animation is seeking an experienced Visual Development Artist to join our team on an upcoming feature film. In this role, you will help shape the worlds our story takes place in by ...

Netflix

Visual Development Artist - Ink

Los Gatos, CA

$70.19/hr

Position Summary We are seeking a Visual Development Artist to join our pioneering team in developing animated shorts and specials using experimental GenAI-native production pipelines. This is a ...

Netflix

Visual Development Artist - Ink

Los Angeles, CA · On-site

$70.19/hr

Position Summary We are seeking a Visual Development Artist to join our pioneering team in developing animated shorts and specials using experimental GenAI-native production pipelines. This is a ...

Netflix

Visual Development Artist - Ink

Los Angeles, CA · On-site

$70.19/hr

Position Summary We are seeking a Visual Development Artist to join our pioneering team in developing animated shorts and specials using experimental GenAI-native production pipelines. This is a ...

Netflix

Visual Development Artist - Ink

Los Angeles, CA · On-site

$70.19/hr

Position Summary We are seeking a Visual Development Artist to join our pioneering team in developing animated shorts and specials using experimental GenAI-native production pipelines. This is a ...

Sawhorse Productions

Roblox 2D Artist

Los Angeles, CA · On-site +1

$20 - $50/hr

We partner with industry-leading brands, artists, and studios such as Walmart, Google, NBCUniversal ... Concept Development: Collaborate with the creative team to brainstorm and develop visual concepts ...

Sawhorse Productions

Roblox 2D Artist

Los Angeles, CA

$20 - $50/hr

We partner with industry-leading brands, artists, and studios such as Walmart, Google, NBCUniversal ... Concept Development: Collaborate with the creative team to brainstorm and develop visual concepts ...

Airrack

Airrack Thumbnail Concept Artist

Los Angeles, CA

$136K - $157K/yr

THE ROLE We're looking for a world-class freelance Thumbnail Concept Artist - the creative brain ... Background in art direction, storyboarding, or visual development * Familiarity with what makes ...

Airrack

Airrack Thumbnail Concept Artist

Los Angeles, CA · On-site

$136K - $157K/yr

THE ROLE We're looking for a world-class freelance Thumbnail Concept Artist - the creative brain ... Background in art direction, storyboarding, or visual development * Familiarity with what makes ...

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All JobsIntern Visual Development Artist JobsIntern Visual Development Artist Jobs in California

Intern Visual Development Artist information

Do art interns get paid?

Art interns, including those in visual development, can be paid or unpaid depending on the organization and internship program. Paid internships typically offer hourly wages or stipends, while unpaid internships may provide college credit or experience. It's important to verify the specific internship's compensation details before applying.

How much does a visual development artist make?

A visual development artist typically earns between $50,000 and $85,000 annually, depending on experience, location, and industry. Entry-level positions may start lower, while experienced artists with strong portfolios and skills in tools like Photoshop or SketchUp can earn higher salaries.

How to become a visual development artist?

To become a visual development artist, typically one needs a strong portfolio showcasing concept art and design skills, often gained through a bachelor's degree in art, illustration, or a related field. Proficiency in digital tools like Photoshop, SketchUp, or other design software is essential, along with experience in traditional art techniques and understanding of storytelling and character design. Building a network through internships, personal projects, and industry events can also help in securing entry-level positions in the field.

What is a visual design internship?

A visual development artist internship is a temporary position where individuals gain hands-on experience in creating concept art, character designs, and environment visuals for media such as animation, film, or video games. Interns typically work under the guidance of experienced artists, using tools like Photoshop or Illustrator, and develop their skills in visual storytelling and design principles.

What does an Intern Visual Development Artist do?

An Intern Visual Development Artist supports the creative team by developing concept art, color scripts, and visual references that help define the look and feel of an animated film, game, or project. They collaborate with senior artists and directors, contributing ideas and visuals that influence character designs, environments, and overall style. As an intern, they gain hands-on experience with industry-standard tools and workflows while building their portfolio and learning from professionals in the field.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an Intern Visual Development Artist, and why are they important?

To thrive as an Intern Visual Development Artist, you need a strong foundation in drawing, color theory, composition, and visual storytelling, often supported by coursework or a portfolio in art or animation. Familiarity with digital art tools such as Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, and sometimes 3D software like Blender is typically required. Creativity, adaptability, openness to feedback, and effective communication help you collaborate and grow in a fast-paced creative environment. These skills ensure you can contribute compelling visual concepts that align with the project's vision and production needs.

What are some typical projects or tasks an Intern Visual Development Artist can expect to work on during their internship?

As an Intern Visual Development Artist, you can expect to work on a variety of projects that support the look and feel of animated films, games, or commercials. Your tasks may include creating concept art, mood boards, color scripts, and environment designs under the guidance of senior artists. You'll often collaborate with other departments such as story, modeling, and lighting to ensure visual consistency throughout the production. Interns are encouraged to share ideas during team meetings and are given opportunities to receive feedback to develop their artistic skills. The work environment is typically fast-paced and creative, with mentorship and learning opportunities provided frequently.
What are the most commonly searched types of Visual Development Artist jobs in California? The most popular types of Visual Development Artist jobs in California are:
What cities in California are hiring for Intern Visual Development Artist jobs? Cities in California with the most Intern Visual Development Artist job openings:
Intern Visual Development Artist jobs near you
Infographic showing various Intern Visual Development Artist job openings in California as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 50% Internship, and 50% Temporary. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution.
Visual Development Artist

Visual Development Artist

Skydance

Santa Monica, CA

$2K - $4K/wk

Full-time

Posted 12 days ago

Job description

Skydance Animation is seeking an experienced Visual Development Artist to join our team on an upcoming feature film. In this role, you will help shape the worlds our story takes place in by developing compelling, immersive environments that support narrative, mood, themes, and character.

You will generate a wide range of visual development materials, including environmental designs, drawings, models, floor plans, and set dressing elements, all while ensuring consistency with the film’s established style, story themes, and overall visual quality. Working closely with Production Designer, art department, and creative leadership you will help define the look and feel of fully realized worlds that enhance storytelling and create a rich cinematic experience.

The ideal candidate has a strong sense of design, composition, and storytelling through environments, with the ability to translate narrative needs into believable, visually engaging spaces.

Previous experience on a feature animated film is required. 

This position is based in Los Angeles, California, and requires the selected candidate to work in an on-site hybrid capacity.

Responsibilities
  • Create art for project concepts, environments, set designs, and related visual development elements (textures and surface details are a plus)
  • Generate work across all stages of development, including sketches, rough explorations, refined designs, and final environment concepts
  • Develop environment designs, including turnarounds, floor plans, and layout studies to support spatial storytelling and production needs
  • Create set dressing and environmental detail callouts to help define world-building elements and visual continuity
  • Produce 2D and/or CG visual development models to explore scale, composition, and cinematic staging of environments
  • Conduct visual and narrative research to inform design decisions and ensure environments feel grounded, intentional, and story-driven
  • Develop presentation materials that clearly communicate design intent, mood, and storytelling purpose
  • Brainstorm and explore inventive environmental ideas that enhance storytelling, deepen world-building, and reinforce tone and emotion
  • Apply strong knowledge of architecture, landscape design, and spatial composition to create believable and engaging environments
  • Contribute creative solutions, respond effectively to feedback, and iterate on designs throughout production
  • Meet production schedules and deadlines while maintaining a high level of artistic quality and consistency
  • Maintain organized files following show-specific versioning and naming conventions
  • Proactively communicate questions, issues, or production concerns to supervisors and production staff
  • Revise and resubmit work as needed based on feedback from the Production Designer or Art Department leadership
  • Collaborate closely with the Production Designer, art team, leadership, and production staff regarding status updates, progress, and any production challenges
Requirements
  • 8+ years of experience in environment design/ visual development on animated feature films
  • Strong visual storytelling skills, with the ability to design environments that support narrative, mood, and character action
  • Advanced proficiency in Adobe Photoshop
  • Excellent communication and collaboration skills, with the ability to present work clearly and respond effectively to feedback
  • Strong understanding of architecture, perspective, composition, and spatial design
  • Ability to work independently with minimal supervision, as well as collaboratively within a team environment
  • Adaptable and responsive to evolving creative direction and production needs
  • Working knowledge of Autodesk Maya, Blender, or ZBrush is a plus
  • Must be, or be willing to become, a member of The Animation Guild Local 839
The compensation range for this non-exempt position in Los Angeles, CA is $2,900-4,000/week. The rate offered may vary based on the candidate’s location, qualifications, experience and relevant expertise, among other factors.  The range indicated is for base salary only and does not reflect the total compensation package, including bonus, benefits, etc. 
 
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