Skydance
Character Designer
TLDR
Play a pivotal role in shaping the visual identity of characters for a feature film, collaborating closely with directors and art leads to bring stories to life through unique designs.
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.
#Animation
Skydance is a diversified media company that crafts immersive worlds and compelling narratives across feature films, television, interactive platforms, and animation. Targeting global audiences, Skydance is distinguished by its commitment to high-quality, event-level entertainment that combines creativity with technological innovation.
- Founded
- Founded 2017
- Employees
- 500+ employees
- Industry
- Media
- Total raised
- $1.6B raised