Character Designer

country: US all locations: [Santa Monica, Los Angeles] commitment: Full Time department: Skydance Animation location: Santa Monica, Los Angeles team: Visual Development 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