Character Designer

The Character Designer is in charge of exploring all options when crafting the look, feel, personality, and appeal of a character. Working with the Production Designer, Art Director, and other creative leads, you will explore multiple looks for each character to bring them to life. This is a union-covered position.

Sony Pictures Animation is an animation studio based in Los Angeles, California, creating both feature animation and animated series with artists from around the world. We pride ourselves on empowering filmmakers to lead the creative process and allowing the hand of the artist to be truly felt, with the goal of producing bold and innovative visual storytelling.

Responsibilities:

• Collaborate with the Production Designer and Art Director, along with other creative leads, throughout the pitch, design and production process to visually explore and discover the characters' look, feel, and personality
• Create multiple iterations of each character (including character poses, expressions and turnarounds) in rough pass form and approved final designs
• Propose design approaches that consider downstream departments (modeling and texturing)
• Ensure all artwork is accurately backed up, organized and stored appropriately
• Contribute creative solutions, respond effectively to feedback, and iterate on designs throughout production
• Proactively communicate questions, issues, or production concerns to supervisors and production staff
• Meet production schedules and deadlines while maintaining a high level of artistic quality and consistency
• Able to work independently and within a team environment

Qualifications:

• Previous experience on an animated feature film, tv series, or game preferred.
• Ability to articulate creative ideas.
• Excellent draftsmanship.
• Skilled in character pose, facial expressions and character turnarounds.
• Outstanding research skills and an understanding of costume design.
• Knowledge of anatomy and volumetric drawing.
• We value inventiveness! Each Sony Pictures Animation project has its own distinctive and outstanding visual language so it is helpful to have stylistic versatility.
• Photoshop knowledge required.

The anticipated base salary for this position is $53.37 to $90.00/hour. This role qualifies for benefits pursuant to the collective bargaining agreement. The actual salary offered will depend on a variety of factors.

To apply, please include a resume and a link to your portfolio. Please make sure to include any passwords to your work in your cover letter and/or in your resume.

Sony Pictures Animation is an equal opportunity employer. We evaluate qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, veteran status, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, or other protected characteristics.

Collaborate with Production Designer and Art Director to explore character look, feel, and personality. Create multiple iterations of characters (poses, expressions, turnarounds). Propose designs considering downstream departments (modeling, texturing). Organize and store artwork. Contribute creative solutions and iterate on designs based on feedback. Communicate production concerns. Meet production schedules and deadlines. Work independently and in a team. Previous experience on animated feature film, TV series, or game preferred. Ability to articulate creative ideas. Excellent draftsmanship. Skilled in character pose, facial expressions, and turnarounds. Outstanding research skills and understanding of costume design. Knowledge of anatomy and volumetric drawing. Stylistic versatility. Photoshop knowledge required. Portfolio link required.