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Internship Animation Character Design Jobs in New York

Meta

Motion Graphics Designer, Creative X

New York, NY

$122K/yr

Experience contributing to or maintaining a large-scale design system with motion and animation components * Background in 3D animation, character animation, or generative motion techniques applied ...

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Internship Animation Character Design information

What is an internship animation character design?

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 does an animation character design intern do?

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 the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an animation character design intern?

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 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 New York?

The most popular types of Animation Character Design jobs in New York are:

What are popular job titles related to Internship Animation Character Design jobs in New York?

For Internship Animation Character Design jobs in New York, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Internship Animation Character Design jobs in New York look for?

The top searched job categories for Internship Animation Character Design jobs in New York are:

What cities in New York are hiring for Internship Animation Character Design jobs?

Cities in New York with the most Internship Animation Character Design job openings:

Internship Animation Character Design jobs near you
Infographic showing various Internship Animation Character Design job openings in New York as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 50% Internship, and 50% Full Time. Highlights an 83% In-person, and 17% Remote job distribution.

Acting & Animation Specialist - Remote | Upto $90/hr

Mercor

New York, NY • On-site

$90/hr

Full-time

Re-posted 27 days ago

Job description

About the job

Mercor connects elite creative and technical talent with leading AI research labs. Headquartered in San Francisco, our investors include Benchmark, General Catalyst, Peter Thiel, Adam D'Angelo, Larry Summers, and Jack Dorsey.

Position: Acting & Animation Performance Consultant
Type: Contract
Compensation: $60–$90/hour
Location: Remote

Role Responsibilities

  • Establish evaluation standards to define criteria for capturing performance in emotional resonance and physical fidelity.
  • Curate benchmarks by identifying strong examples of performances for meaningful model tests.
  • Shape the evaluation pool by defining profiles and rubrics for human reviewers.
  • Collaborate with other experts to maintain consistent and accurate evaluations.
  • Work independently and asynchronously to meet deadlines while improving AI model performance.

Qualifications

Must-Have

  • 7 to 10 years of professional experience in the entertainment or animation industry.
  • Proven track record on 2 or more professional films.
  • Specialization in Character Animation, Character Technical Design, Acting Teacher or Coach, or Director of Photography (DP).
  • Meticulous eye for micro-expressions and emotional beats.
  • AI proficiency with tools and workflows.
  • Ability to translate complex visual details into clear language.
  • Able to come on-site in Playa Vista (Los Angeles), CA or New York, NY for in-person sessions once or twice a month.

Preferred

  • Reliable access to a 4K-resolution monitor for precise review.

Compensation & Legal

  • Hourly contractor
  • W-2 employment through Cincinnatus LLC

Application Process (Takes 20–30 mins to complete)

  • Upload resume
  • AI interview based on your resume
  • Submit form

Resources & Support

  • For details about the interview process and platform information, please check: https://talent.docs.mercor.com/welcome
  • For any help or support, reach out to: support@mercor.com

PS: Our team reviews applications daily. Please complete your AI interview and application steps to be considered for this opportunity.