Character Designer

Skydance Media; California (MO); On-site; USD 131,950 - 182,000; Full time

Job summary

Skydance Media is looking for an experienced Character Designer to shape the visual identity of characters for an upcoming animated feature film. This role involves creating original artwork and collaborating closely with directors and fellow creatives to maintain a cohesive visual language.

The ideal candidate will have over 8 years of experience in character design, strong storytelling skills, and proficiency in Adobe Photoshop. The position is based in Los Angeles, California, requiring on-site work.

Qualifications

• 8+ years of character design experience on animated feature films.
• Strong visual storytelling skills to design characters supporting narrative and performance.
• Advanced proficiency in Adobe Photoshop.

Responsibilities

• Develop original artwork for project concepts and characters.
• Produce a range of visual development work from sketches to production-ready designs.
• Create character turnarounds, pose sheets, and supplementary drawings.

Skills

Character design experience

Visual storytelling

Adobe Photoshop proficiency

Communication skills

Understanding of anatomy

Collaboration within a team

Tools

Autodesk Maya

Blender

ZBrush

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.