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Summer 2D Character Design Jobs in Elgin, IL (NOW HIRING)

Arrow International

Senior Artist

Chicago, IL · On-site

$130.80K - $156.60K/yr

... 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 ...

DePaul

Adjunct Faculty in Illustration

Chicago, IL · On-site

Illustration courses are affiliated with the Storyboarding and Character Design concentration ... Summer courses, in two sessions, are typically 5 weeks in length. The College of Law operates on ...

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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 May 28, 2026, the average hourly pay for summer 2d character design in Elgin, IL is $29.62, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $23.75 and $33.27 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

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.

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 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 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 popular job titles related to Summer 2D Character Design jobs in Elgin, IL? For Summer 2D Character Design jobs in Elgin, IL, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Summer 2D Character Design jobs in Elgin, IL look for? The top searched job categories for Summer 2D Character Design jobs in Elgin, IL are:
What cities near Elgin, IL are hiring for Summer 2D Character Design jobs? Cities near Elgin, IL with the most Summer 2D Character Design job openings:
Summer 2D Character Design jobs near you
Infographic showing various Summer 2D Character Design job openings in Elgin, IL as of May 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% Internship, 84% Full Time, 10% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 4% Contract. Highlights an 84% Physical, 15% Hybrid, and 1% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $61,606 per year, or $29.6 per hour.
Senior Artist

Senior Artist

Arrow International

Chicago, IL • On-site

$130.80K - $156.60K/yr

Full-time

This job post has expired today. Applications are no longer accepted.

Job description

Job Type
Full-time
Description
Arrow International is the world's largest manufacturer and supplier of charitable gaming products and solutions. We produce and distribute a wide array of products including consumables (pull tab tickets, bingo paper and ink, etc.) as well as world class, state-of-the-art, electronic gaming products. Our products are sold, installed, and operated in numerous social and gaming venues around the world. We continue to grow at a record pace and offer this exciting career opportunity to join our team where we are focused on attracting and engaging exceptional talent, empowering colleagues to achieve fulfilling careers, and creating fun and engaging products that are second to none for our customers.
Position Summary
We are seeking a Senior Artist to join our Visual Development Team. The Senior Artist will use their artistic expertise with color, composition, shape, typography, animation, visual FX and character design skills to help push our games to new heights. You'll play a key role in the overall development of our games' look and style, ensure creative alignment, and maintain a high standard of work. The ideal candidate will have experience providing feedback, solving creative challenges, and driving visual consistency across projects.
Primary Roles and Responsibilities
Leadership and Team Support:

  • Provide mentorship, guidance, and constructive feedback to artists at various experience levels to promote growth and skill development.
  • Support team members by troubleshooting artistic challenges and offering creative solutions.
  • Ensure the team's output aligns with project goals and meets Arrow's quality standards.
  • Foster collaboration across the art team, programmers, and other stakeholders.
Artistic Contribution:
  • Conceptualize and design visuals for layouts, UI, logos, characters, and other game elements across multiple styles and themes.
  • Create and animate high-quality 2D game assets and VFX.
  • Ensure timely delivery of assets to meet production deadlines while maintaining visual consistency.
Requirements
Experience and Education
  • Degree in Design, Fine Arts, Visual Arts, or related field (Associates or Bachelors).
  • 5+ years of work experience as an Illustrator, Graphic Designer, or similar role, with demonstrated leadership experience.
  • Portfolio showcasing high-quality industry-standard artwork, including 2D game assets and animations.
  • Expertise in Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, etc.) and experience with After Effects for VFX animation.
  • Strong understanding of design principles, color theory, and composition, with an eye for detail and precision.
  • Excellent interpersonal and communication skills to effectively collaborate with team members and provide leadership.
  • Open to constructive critique and committed to ongoing learning and development.
  • Must work well in a team environment
Preferred Experience:
  • Gaming or casino-related knowledge or background.
  • Knowledge of animation principles. Usage of Spine is considered a plus
  • Experience with 3D Software (Maya, Blender, etc.).
We offer a dynamic and creative environment, opportunities for professional growth, and the chance to work on exciting projects in the gaming industry. If you are passionate about animation and gaming, we would love to hear from you!
PHYSICAL DEMANDS/WORKING CONDITIONS:
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential job functions.
  • Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, and ability to adjust focus.
  • The noise level in the work environment is low.
  • May be required to sit for long and/or extended periods of time.

Diversity and Inclusion Statement
At Arrow International, we are committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace where all individuals are valued and respected. We believe that embracing our differences makes us stronger, more innovative, and better positioned to serve our communities. We are proud to be an equal opportunity employer and strive to create an environment where everyone feels welcome, supported, and empowered to succeed.
Equal Opportunity Statement
Arrow International is an equal opportunity employer. We recruit, hire, train, and promote individuals in all job titles without regard to race, color, ancestry, national origin, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, marital status, religion, age, results of genetic testing,
veteran status, or physical or mental disability-except where such disability prevents performance of essential job functions and cannot be reasonably accommodated in accordance with applicable laws.
Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Statement

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