Posted 2 months ago

Character Designer

Los AngelesOn-siteFull-time

AI Summary

The Character Designer shapes the visual identity and personality of characters for an animated feature, from early concept through final design, collaborating with directors and art leads to produce cohesive, production-ready artwork.

About this role

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