US_Berkeley_Character Designer

Nova Sky Stories; Berkeley (CA); On-site; USD 115,000 - 140,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, and vision coverage

401(k) with company matching

Flexible PTO and paid sick leave

Paid parental leave

Company-paid holidays

Equity opportunities for eligible

Annual bonus potential

Job summary

Nova Sky Stories is seeking a talented Character Designer to shape unforgettable characters for large-scale drone performances that fuse art, animation, technology, and live entertainment. You will develop concepts into production-ready designs and collaborate closely with creative directors and technical teams to execute world-building visuals.

Ideal candidates bring strong drawing and anatomy skills, plus experience turning sketches into 3D-ready assets and a passion for immersive aerial

Qualifications

• Professional experience designing characters for animation, games, feature films, themed entertainment, or comparable visual storytelling environments.
• Exceptional drawing, illustration, and concept design skills with 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, 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 within a multidisciplinary creative team.
• Ability to manage multiple creative priorities while maintaining 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.

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 for narrative, emotion, and audience engagement.
• Develop character turnarounds, expression sheets, pose explorations, silhouettes, and supporting design assets.
• Collaborate with Creative Directors and leadership to refine concepts through feedback and iteration.
• Create visual guides and design documentation to enable artists, animators, and tech teams to develop characters into 3D aerial experiences.
• Work with cross-disciplinary teams to ensure designs are visually compelling and meet production and tech constraints.
• Explore solutions balancing artistic vision with live drone entertainment opportunities and constraints.
• Maintain organized production files, documentation, and assets to meet project schedules and quality expectations.
• Participate in reviews and meetings to shape the artistic direction of each project.
• Support additional concept development, world-building, and visual design initiatives as needed.

Skills

Character design

Animation storytelling

Anatomy & gesture

Illustration

Communication & collaboration

Tools

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 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 leave
• Company‑paid holidays
• Equity opportunities for eligible employees

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