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Summer 2D Character Design Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Skydance

Character Designer

Santa Monica, CA · On-site

$2.9K - $4.0K/wk

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 ...

Skydance

Character Designer

Santa Monica, CA

$2.9K - $4.0K/wk

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 ...

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Aquent

Motion & Character Designer

Seattle, WA · On-site

$58.60 - $65.10/hr

This is an opportunity to move characters with personality, design motion systems with purpose, and see your creative vision come to life at scale. *What You'll Do** * Create 2D and 3D character ...

SciPlay

Senior Technical Artist

Austin, TX · On-site

$125K - $150K/yr

... design, and prototyping • Assist in developing standards, processes, and proprietary tools ... 2D character specific • Scripting ability to common art tooling (Photoshop, 3dx Max) • C# ...

Merestone

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Brand and Marketing Designer - Experiential

Phoenix, AZ · On-site

This role combines 2D graphic design, 3D environmental design, and real-world production thinking ... If your portfolio primarily consists of video game environments, character design, animation, or ...

Merestone

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Brand and Marketing Designer - Experiential

Tempe, AZ · On-site

This role combines 2D graphic design, 3D environmental design, and real-world production thinking ... If your portfolio primarily consists of video game environments, character design, animation, or ...

Montgomery College

MD · On-site

... 2D Design. We are seeking an enthusiastic and dedicated teacher who exhibits a high degree of ... During summer part-time faculty at Montgomery College may teach no more than 10 ESH (equivalent ...

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All JobsSummer 2D Character Design Jobs

Summer 2D Character Design information

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$14

$29

$46

How much do summer 2d character design jobs pay per hour?

As of Jul 2, 2026, the average hourly pay for summer 2d character design in the United States is $29.96, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $24.04 and $33.65 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are some common challenges faced by Summer 2D Character Designers, and how can they be overcome?

Summer 2D Character Designers often face tight project deadlines and the need to quickly adapt to different artistic styles, especially when working on collaborative projects like summer animation workshops or game jams. Communication with other team members, such as animators and art directors, is essential to ensure character designs are both visually appealing and functional for animation. Staying organized, accepting constructive feedback, and maintaining a robust portfolio of work created during the summer can help overcome these challenges and set you up for future opportunities in character design.

What is the difference between Summer 2D Character Design vs 2D Character Animator?

AspectSummer 2D Character Design2D Character Animator
Required SkillsConcept art, character sketches, design softwareAnimation techniques, rigging, motion software
Work EnvironmentDesign studios, freelance projects, gaming and animation companiesAnimation studios, gaming companies, post-production houses
Common CertificationsDigital art, illustration, design coursesAnimation, motion graphics certifications

Summer 2D Character Design focuses on creating the visual concepts and character designs, while 2D Character Animator brings those designs to life through movement and animation. Both roles often collaborate but require different skill sets and tools, making them distinct yet complementary positions in the animation and gaming industries.

What are Summer 2D Character Designers?

Summer 2D Character Designers are artists who create and develop character concepts and illustrations, typically for projects or internships that take place during the summer months. Their work is essential in fields such as animation, video games, comics, and advertising, where visually appealing and original characters are needed. These designers use traditional drawing techniques or digital tools to bring characters to life, often collaborating with other creatives like writers and animators. Summer positions may be geared toward students or emerging artists seeking hands-on experience and portfolio development during a limited timeframe.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Summer 2D Character Designer, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Summer 2D Character Designer, you need strong drawing skills, a solid understanding of anatomy, color theory, and character development, often supported by a degree or coursework in art or design. Familiarity with digital illustration tools such as Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, and drawing tablets is typically required. Creativity, attention to detail, and the ability to take feedback make someone stand out in this position. These skills ensure the creation of engaging, visually consistent characters that align with project goals and captivate audiences.
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What cities are hiring for Summer 2D Character Design jobs? Cities with the most Summer 2D Character Design job openings:
What are the most commonly searched types of 2D Character Design jobs? The most popular types of 2D Character Design jobs are:
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Summer 2D Character Design jobs near you
Infographic showing various Summer 2D Character Design job openings in the United States as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 92% Full Time, 3% Part Time, and 5% Contract. Highlights an 99% Physical, and 1% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $62,322 per year, or $30 per hour.
Character Designer

Character Designer

Skydance

Santa Monica, CA • On-site

$2.9K - $4.0K/wk

Full-time

Posted 2 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

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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