Character Designer

What is a character designer?

A character designer is someone who creates and designs characters for various forms of media, such as animations, video games, books, and films. They use their artistic skills and imagination to bring characters to life.

What does a character designer do?

Usually, a character designer does the following:

• Works closely with clients or creative teams to understand the vision and requirements for the characters
• Creates sketches, concept art, and digital illustrations to develop the appearance and personality of the characters
• Collaborates with other artists and animators to bring the characters to life through animation or 3D modeling
• Iterates on designs based on feedback and makes necessary revisions
• Keeps up-to-date with current trends and technologies in character design

What does the day-to-day life of a character designer look like?

A character designer usually works between 9am and 5pm, though this may vary depending on the company or project you're working on. You'll spend your days sketching, drawing, and digitally designing characters using software like Adobe Photoshop or Illustrator. You may also attend meetings or brainstorming sessions with the creative team to discuss and refine character designs.

Where does a character designer work?

Character designers can work in various industries, including animation studios, gaming companies, advertising agencies, and publishing houses. Larger companies usually have in-house character design teams, while smaller companies may hire freelance character designers on a project basis. Depending on your preference, you can also work as a self-employed character designer, taking on freelance projects from different clients.

What tools/software/hardware does a character designer use?

A character designer uses a variety of tools and software including:

• Art supplies: Pencils, sketchbooks, and markers for traditional sketching and drawing.
• Digital design software: Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, or other similar programs for digital character design and illustration.
• Graphic tablets: Tools like Wacom tablets that allow artists to draw directly on a screen for more precise and natural drawing.

What do I need to become a character designer?

There are several paths you can take to become a character designer, including:

• Bachelor's degree: A degree in Illustration, Animation, or a related field can provide a strong foundation in character design. Many universities and art schools offer relevant courses and programs.
• Self-study and practice: Some character designers are self-taught and develop their skills through online tutorials, books, and lots of practice. Building a strong portfolio of character designs is essential in this case.

What career paths are available?

There are different career paths available to you as a character designer, including:

• Lead Character Designer: In this role, you would oversee and guide a team of character designers, ensuring the consistency and quality of character designs in a project.
• Art Director: As an art director, you would be responsible for overseeing the visual style and artistic direction of a project, including character design.
• Storyboard Artist: If you enjoy storytelling and visual narrative, you could specialize in creating storyboards for animations or films, working closely with the director and production team.

What jobs are similar to a character designer?

• Storyboard Artist: Creating visual storytelling through storyboard illustrations.
• Concept Artist: Developing visual concepts for characters, environments, and objects.
• Illustrator: Creating illustrations for various media, including books, magazines, and advertisements.

What made you want to become a character designer?

How did you get your first character designer job?

What was the one thing that surprised you the most about being a character designer?

Are you a character designer? We want you to share your experiences with those looking to start or change their careers to character designing. If you're interested, contact us at mail@calumchilds.com.