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Internship Animation Character Design Jobs in California

Skydance

Character Designer

Santa Monica, CA · On-site

$2.90K - $4K/wk

Skydance Animation is seeking an experienced Character Designer to join our team on an upcoming ... From early concept exploration to final design execution, you will craft compelling, expressive ...

Skydance

Character Designer

Santa Monica, CA

$2.90K - $4K/wk

Skydance Animation is seeking an experienced Character Designer to join our team on an upcoming ... From early concept exploration to final design execution, you will craft compelling, expressive ...

Sony Pictures Animation

Character Designer

Los Angeles, CA · On-site

$59.16 - $72/hr

Sony Pictures Animation is a pre-production animation studio based in Los Angeles, California ... Propose design approaches that consider downstream departments (modeling and texturing). * Able to ...

2K

Gameplay Animation SE

Novato, CA

$71.40K - $105.66K/yr

In this role, you will be working closely with Animators, Design and Production to develop nuanced ... character animation ● Love for video games (not just ours!) Beneficial Qualifications ● ...

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Internship Animation Character Design information

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an Animation Character Design Intern, and why are they important?

To thrive as an Animation Character Design Intern, you need a strong foundation in drawing, character concept development, and an understanding of anatomy and movement, typically supported by coursework or a portfolio in animation or illustration. Proficiency with industry-standard digital tools such as Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, and animation software like Toon Boom or TVPaint is often required. Creativity, openness to feedback, and strong teamwork skills help interns stand out in collaborative studio environments. These abilities ensure that you can produce compelling characters, respond well to direction, and contribute effectively to the animation pipeline.

What types of projects and responsibilities can I expect as an animation character design intern?

As an animation character design intern, you will typically support the design team by creating character sketches, refining model sheets, and helping develop character turnarounds. You may be tasked with researching visual references, assisting with color explorations, and iterating on feedback from senior designers or directors. Collaboration is a key part of the role, as you'll often work closely with animators, story artists, and other departments to ensure characters are visually consistent and fit the narrative. This hands-on experience provides great insight into the animation pipeline and helps you build a diverse portfolio.

What are internship animation character designers?

Internship animation character designers are students or recent graduates who assist professional character designers in creating and developing the visual look, personality, and style of characters for animated films, series, or games. They typically work under supervision, contributing to brainstorming sessions, sketching character concepts, and refining designs based on feedback. Interns gain hands-on experience with industry-standard tools and workflows, learn how to interpret scripts or briefs, and collaborate with other artists and animators. This role is an entry point into the animation industry and helps interns build their portfolios and professional networks.

What is the difference between Internship Animation Character Design vs Animation Character Designer?

AspectInternship Animation Character DesignAnimation Character Designer
QualificationsEnrolled in or recent graduate of relevant art/animation programsProfessional degree or extensive experience in character design
Work EnvironmentInternship programs, entry-level projects, supervised settingsFull-time studio or freelance projects, independent work
ResponsibilitiesAssisting in character sketches, learning workflows, supporting senior designersCreating detailed character concepts, final designs, and revisions
Industry UsageUsed as a training position within animation studiosProfessional role in animation, gaming, or film industries

In summary, Internship Animation Character Design is an entry-level position focused on learning and supporting, while Animation Character Designer is a professional role involving independent creation and responsibility for character designs in various media projects.

What are the most commonly searched types of Animation Character Design jobs in California? The most popular types of Animation Character Design jobs in California are:
What are popular job titles related to Internship Animation Character Design jobs in California? For Internship Animation Character Design jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Internship Animation Character Design jobs in California look for? The top searched job categories for Internship Animation Character Design jobs in California are:
What cities in California are hiring for Internship Animation Character Design jobs? Cities in California with the most Internship Animation Character Design job openings:
Internship Animation Character Design jobs near you
Character Designer

Character Designer

Skydance

Santa Monica, CA • On-site

$2.90K - $4K/wk

Full-time

Posted 27 days ago

Job description

Skydance Animation is seeking an experienced Character Designer to join our team on an upcoming feature film. In this role, you will play a pivotal part in bringing stories to life by shaping the look, personality, and visual identity of our characters. From early concept exploration to final design execution, you will craft compelling, expressive designs that resonate with both the narrative and audience.
Working closely with directors, art leads, and fellow creatives, the Character Designer will contribute to the development of unique character styles, produce high-quality design assets, and help maintain a cohesive visual language throughout the film. The ideal candidate has a strong foundation in drawing, a keen sense of storytelling through design, and the versatility to explore a wide range of shapes, styles, and emotional expression.
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
  • Develop original artwork for project concepts and characters, including exploratory designs, refined assets, and surface details
  • Produce a wide range of visual development work from quick sketches and rough ideation to fully realized, production-ready character designs
  • Create clear and expressive character turnarounds, pose sheets, and supplementary drawings in 2D and/or CG visual development formats
  • Conduct visual and thematic research to inform design choices, ensuring authenticity, originality, and alignment with the story and world
  • Design and assemble compelling presentation materials that effectively communicate creative ideas to internal teams and leadership
  • Collaborate in brainstorming sessions to generate inventive concepts that enhance storytelling, bringing depth, humor, emotion, and personality to each character
  • Apply a strong understanding of human and/or animal anatomy to create believable, dynamic, and appealing character designs
  • Contribute creative problem-solving solutions, respond thoughtfully to feedback, and iterate efficiently on designs throughout the production process
  • Manage time effectively to meet production schedules and deadlines while maintaining a high level of quality
  • Maintain organized, production-ready files in accordance with the show's naming conventions and versioning systems
  • Communicate proactively with supervisors and production partners regarding progress, questions, and any potential challenges
  • Revise and update designs as needed based on feedback, ensuring all work meets the creative vision before final approval
  • Partner closely with the Production Designer, Art Director, Lead Character Designer, and production staff to provide status updates and address any issues that arise

Requirements
  • 8+ years of character design experience on animated feature films
  • Strong visual storytelling skills, with the ability to design characters that support narrative and performance
  • Advanced proficiency in Adobe Photoshop
  • Excellent communication and collaboration skills, with the ability to present work and respond effectively to feedback
  • Solid understanding of human and/or animal anatomy
  • Ability to work independently with minimal supervision, as well as collaboratively within a team
  • 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
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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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