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Non Union 2D Character Artist Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Human Computer Lab

Character Artist

San Francisco, CA · On-site

$142K - $149K/yr

What to expect We're looking for a character artist to help define how LeLamp looks, moves, and ... Have a portfolio that shows character design or expressive design work, in 2D or 3D. * Document ...

Tri-C

Adjunct Faculty, Art (2D)

Westlake, OH · On-site

$951/wk

Non-Union Work Schedule: To be determined based on business unit needs. Classes may be offered ... Master of Fine Arts degree in a two-dimensional art discipline or Master's degree in a closely ...

SciPlay

Technical Artist

Austin, TX

$125K - $150K/yr

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Communicate between engineers, designers, and non-technical artists to package assets efficiently ... Animation - 2D character specific * Scripting ability to common art tooling (Photoshop, 3dx Max ...

SciPlay

Senior Technical Artist

Austin, TX · On-site

$125K - $150K/yr

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Communicate between engineers, designers, and non-technical artists to package assets efficiently ... Animation - 2D character specific * Scripting ability to common art tooling (Photoshop, 3dx Max ...

POWERHOUSE ANIMATION STUDIOS I

2D Animator

Austin, TX · On-site

$34.13/hr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

Non Exempt, Full Time Employee * Location: To be considered for the position, all candidates must ... Experienced 2D animator with a strong command of character acting and performance. * Proficiency in ...

Livenation

Non Union Stagehand

Riverside, CA

$18.25 - $24.25/hr

... artists in 40+ countries. These businesses allow Live Nation Media & Sponsorship to create ... THE JOB US Concerts is seeking is seeking a Non Union Stagehand who will be responsible for ...

Netflix

Storyboard Artist- Ink

Los Angeles, CA · On-site

$74.52/hr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Use knowledge of 2D and/or CG animation to ensure that posing, staging, and cutting is both ... non-photoreal work is a plus OR a portfolio that demonstrates extensive story experience for ...

Arrow International, Inc

Senior Artist

$130K - $155K/yr

  • Retirement

  • PTO

... 2D and/or 3D animations. * Exceptional artistic skills including composition, color theory, typography, visual hierarchy, and character design. * Ability to quickly learn and effectively utilize ...

Arrow International Inc

Senior Artist

Cleveland, OH · On-site

$123K - $147K/yr

  • Retirement

  • PTO

... 2D and/or 3D animations. * Exceptional artistic skills including composition, color theory, typography, visual hierarchy, and character design. * Ability to quickly learn and effectively utilize ...

Arrow International, Inc.

Senior Artist

Chicago, IL

$80 - $120K/hr

  • Retirement

  • PTO

... character design skills to help push our games to new heights. You'll play a key role in the ... Create and animate high-quality 2D game assets and VFX. * Ensure timely delivery of assets to meet ...

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Non Union 2D Character Artist information

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How much do non union 2d character artist jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 15, 2026, the average hourly pay for non union 2d character artist in the United States is $24.65, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $17.55 and $27.88 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

Are non union 2D character artists in demand?

Non-union 2D character artists are in steady demand in the gaming, animation, and entertainment industries, especially for projects requiring skilled digital illustration and character design. Proficiency in industry-standard tools like Photoshop and Spine can enhance employability, and freelance opportunities are common for those with a strong portfolio.

What is the difference between Non Union 2D Character Artist vs 2D Character Artist?

AspectNon Union 2D Character Artist2D Character Artist
CredentialsPortfolio, proficiency in illustration softwarePortfolio, proficiency in illustration software
Work EnvironmentIndependent or freelance, contract-based projectsStudio or company, full-time or freelance
Industry UsageUsed across gaming, animation, and entertainment industriesCommonly used in gaming, animation, and media

The main difference between a Non Union 2D Character Artist and a 2D Character Artist lies in their employment status. Non Union artists typically work on freelance or contract basis without union protections, while 2D Character Artists may be employed full-time by studios. Both roles require similar skills and credentials, but their work arrangements and union affiliations differ.

What cities are hiring for Non Union 2D Character Artist jobs?

Cities with the most Non Union 2D Character Artist job openings:

What are the most commonly searched types of 2D Character Artist jobs?

The most popular types of 2D Character Artist jobs are:

What states have the most Non Union 2D Character Artist jobs?

States with the most job openings for Non Union 2D Character Artist jobs include:

Non Union 2D Character Artist jobs near you

Character Artist

Human Computer Lab

San Francisco, CA • On-site

$142K - $149K/yr

Full-time

Posted 11 days ago

Job description

Human Computer Lab is a research lab building character robots that feel alive and responsive. Our first robot, LeLamp, explores a new category of consumer robotics where everyday objects become interactive and help us reshape our attachment to technology.
Our goal is to push the frontier of human-robot interaction by making technology more legible, emotionally intuitive, and human-centered. We are building the foundation for a new generation of robots designed for everyday environments.
What to expect
We're looking for a character artist to help define how LeLamp looks, moves, and feels - the visual and expressive language that makes a robot read as alive rather than mechanical. You'll work on everything from early concept sketches and mood boards to the motion, gesture, and lighting cues that give the robot its personality, translating character intent into something the hardware and software teams can actually build and ship. This role requires tight, fast-cycling collaboration with electrical, mechanical, and software teams - character decisions here don't stay on paper, they become motor curves, timing, and light behavior. You'll work closely with the CEO and founding team to shape the character identity of LeLamp and the robots that follow.
In this role, you will:
  • Create concept art, mood boards, and character studies that define LeLamp's personality and visual identity.
  • Collaborate with the hardware team on form factor, silhouette, materials, and color to keep the physical design aligned with the character.
  • Design expressive motion - gestures, "emotional" states, and behaviors expressed through movement, light, and sound.
  • Prototype and iterate quickly, moving between sketches, renders, and physical mockups.
  • Partner with robotics and software engineers to translate character intent into concrete behavior parameters (motion curves, timing, lighting cues).
  • Build and maintain style guides and a character bible to keep the robot's expression consistent as the team grows.
  • Review hardware and software prototypes against the character vision and give clear, actionable feedback.
  • Support brand and marketing assets to keep the character consistent across every touchpoint.

You may be a good fit if you:
  • Are pursuing a degree in screen-writing, animation, character design, industrial design, or a related field - or have equivalent hands-on portfolio experience.
  • Have a portfolio that shows character design or expressive design work, in 2D or 3D.
  • Document clearly and can explain the reasoning behind a design choice, not just the choice itself.
  • Are comfortable iterating quickly, moving from rough sketch to testable prototype without waiting for a perfect brief.
  • Are genuinely interested in physical products, not just screen-based or purely digital characters.

You will be a strong fit, if you:
  • Have designed characters or mascots that had to work within real hardware or physical constraints, not just on a screen.
  • Understand core animation principles (timing, weight, squash and stretch, anticipation) and know how to translate them into motors, servos, and lighting.
  • Are comfortable collaborating directly with engineers, turning an abstract sense of "feel" into concrete specs they can build against.
  • Move quickly through iteration cycles and don't wait for perfect information to make progress.
  • Take ownership over your work end to end, from first sketch to a behavior that's live in the robot.
  • Work well in small, collaborative teams where character, electrical, and mechanical are in constant conversation.
  • Care about what the character enables: warmth, expressiveness, and the feeling that the robot is alive.

The early team becomes the DNA of the company. We set ourselves and others to a high standard, and we respond with kindness when things get hard but keep everyone accountable. This requires us to be curious, creative, and diverse in our thinking and approach.
We're proud to be an equal opportunity employer and consider all qualified applicants regardless of race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status. Even if you don't meet every single requirement, we encourage you to apply. Studies show that women and underrepresented groups often hold back unless they meet 100% of the criteria - we don't want that to be the reason we miss out on great talent.

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