Character Designer

SCALIS; Berkeley (CA); On-site; USD 115,000 - 140,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical coverage

Dental coverage

Vision coverage

401(k) matching

PTO & sick leave

Parental leave

Holidays

Equity opportunities

Job summary

Nova Sky Stories is seeking a talented Character Designer to shape unforgettable stories in the sky. You will create original characters that evolve from 2D concepts to large-scale drone performances, working with directors and teams to convey emotion and narrative through aerial art.

You’ll design turnarounds, expression sheets, and supporting assets, collaborating across disciplines to ensure cohesive visuals while meeting production requirements for immersive live entertainment.

Qualifications

• Portfolio showing character development and production-ready designs.
• Experience in animation or themed entertainment is preferred.
• Ability to translate briefs into expressive characters.
• Strong anatomy, gesture, silhouette understanding.
• Experience turning 2D concepts into 3D assets.

Responsibilities

• Design original characters from early concept exploration through final production-ready artwork for large-scale drone performances.
• Translate story ideas, briefs, and artistic direction into compelling characters.
• Develop turnarounds, expression sheets, pose explorations, and supporting design assets.
• Collaborate with Creative Directors to refine concepts through feedback.
• Create visual guides and design documentation for production teams.
• Collaborate across creative and technical disciplines to support production needs.
• Explore solutions balancing artistic vision with live drone entertainment constraints.
• Maintain organized production files and meet project schedules.
• Participate in reviews and design sessions to shape artistic direction.
• Support additional concept development and world-building initiatives.

Skills

Character design

Concept art

Animation principles

Storytelling

Adobe Photoshop

Collaboration

3D/2D integration

Tools

Maya

ZBrush

Adobe Photoshop

Job description

At Nova Sky Stories , we empower artists and producers to bring awe and wonder to live audiences around the world. As the global leader in drone entertainment , we’ve been redefining live shows for over a decade—merging cutting-edge drone technology with imaginative artistry.

With a veteran team of engineers and creatives, we design and operate lightweight, small, precise, and safe drones that perform in the most demanding environments—urban centers, extreme temperatures, and high winds. The result? Sky Stories that inspire, captivate, and transform the sky into a canvas of imagination.

Headquartered in the U.S. with teams across Europe and the UAE, Nova Sky Stories works with the world’s leading brands, venues, and events. Follow us: @NovaSkyStories

About the job

About this role:

Nova Sky Stories is looking for a talented Character Designer to help shape unforgettable stories told in the sky. In this role, you'll create original characters that begin as expressive 2D concepts and evolve into large-scale 3D drone performances viewed by audiences around the world.

Working closely with Creative Directors, artists, animators, and technical teams, you'll transform creative ideas into memorable characters that communicate emotion, personality, and story within the unique possibilities of aerial entertainment. This role is ideal for someone who is excited by the opportunity to help define a new creative medium where illustration, animation, technology, and live experiences come together.

As a Character Designer, you’ll be responsible for:

• Design original characters from early concept exploration through final production-ready artwork for large-scale drone performances.
• Translate story ideas, creative briefs, and artistic direction into compelling characters that support narrative, emotion, and audience engagement.
• Develop character turnarounds, expression sheets, pose explorations, silhouettes, and supporting design assets that communicate personality and performance.
• Partner closely with Creative Directors and creative leadership to refine character concepts through collaboration, feedback, and creative iteration.
• Create visual guides and design documentation that enable artists, animators, and technical teams to successfully develop characters into three-dimensional aerial experiences.
• Collaborate across creative and technical disciplines to ensure character designs remain visually compelling while supporting production and technological requirements.
• Explore creative solutions that balance artistic vision with the opportunities and constraints of live drone entertainment.
• Maintain organized production files, documentation, and design assets while meeting project schedules and quality expectations.
• Participate in creative reviews, design discussions, brainstorming sessions, and production meetings to help shape the overall artistic direction of each project.
• Support additional concept development, world-building, and visual design initiatives as needed.

You’ll need to have:

• Professional experience designing characters for animation, games, feature films, themed entertainment, or comparable visual storytelling environments.
• Exceptional drawing, illustration, and concept design skills with a strong understanding of anatomy, gesture, shape language, silhouette, proportion, and character appeal.
• Ability to translate abstract ideas and creative direction into memorable characters that communicate personality, emotion, and story.
• Experience creating character turnarounds, expression sheets, pose explorations, technical callouts, and production-ready design packages.
• Strong understanding of visual storytelling, design fundamentals, composition, color, and form.
• Proficiency with Adobe Photoshop and other industry-standard digital illustration tools.
• Excellent communication, collaboration, and organizational skills with the ability to incorporate feedback and iterate efficiently within a multidisciplinary creative team.
• Ability to manage multiple creative priorities while maintaining exceptional artistic quality and meeting production deadlines.
• Curiosity and enthusiasm for exploring how character design can evolve within an emerging storytelling medium that combines art, animation, technology, and live entertainment.

It’s a plus if you have:

• Professional experience as a Character Designer within animation, AAA games, feature films, themed entertainment, or other visual entertainment industries.
• Portfolio demonstrating exceptional character development, including concept sketches, expression sheets, turnarounds, line work, and production-ready designs.
• Experience with animation principles, storyboarding, life drawing, sculpture, color styling, or visual development.
• Familiarity with creating artwork that transitions from two-dimensional concepts into three-dimensional assets.
• Passion for innovation and interest in helping shape the future of immersive live entertainment through creative technology.

Salary Range: $115,000–$140,000 USD
At Nova Sky Stories, we're building something that has never existed before—and we want our team members to share in that journey. In addition to competitive compensation, we offer:

• Medical, dental, and vision coverage
• 401(k) with company matching
• Flexible PTO and paid sick leave
• Paid parental leaveCompany-paid holidays
• Equity opportunities for eligible employees

Compensation will be determined based on factors such as experience, skills, qualifications, and geographic location.

Health Insurance

401(k) Matching

Paid Time Off (PTO)

Paid Holidays

Flexible Work Arrangements

Vision Insurance

If you're ready to play a key role in supporting the operational backbone of a company redefining storytelling in the sky, we’d love to hear from you.