Character Designer

MFI Technologies Incorporated; Santa Monica, Northern (CA, KY); Hybrid; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Skydance Animation is seeking an experienced Character Designer for an upcoming feature film, shaping look, personality, and visual identity from concept to final design. You will craft expressive characters and maintain a cohesive visual language across the production.

Collaborating with directors and art leads, you will develop unique character styles, produce high-quality assets, and contribute to a strong narrative through design. Prior feature animation experience is required.

Qualifications

• 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.
• 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

Skills

Visual storytelling

Communication

Independent yet collaborative

Character anatomy

Tools

Adobe Photoshop

Autodesk Maya

Blender

ZBrush

Job description

Character Designer

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

Role Type

Full-time

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