We may earn an affiliate commission when you visit our partners.

Character Designer

Character designers are responsible for creating the visual appearance of characters in video games, animated films, and other forms of media. They work with concept artists to develop the initial designs for characters, and then they bring those designs to life by creating 3D models, textures, and animations.

Read more

Character designers are responsible for creating the visual appearance of characters in video games, animated films, and other forms of media. They work with concept artists to develop the initial designs for characters, and then they bring those designs to life by creating 3D models, textures, and animations.

Skills and Knowledge

To be successful as a character designer, you need to have a strong foundation in art and design. You should be able to draw and sketch well, and you should have a good understanding of anatomy, perspective, and color theory. You should also be familiar with 3D modeling software, such as Maya and Blender, and you should be able to create realistic textures and animations.

Education and Training

There are a number of different ways to become a character designer. Some people earn a degree in art or design, while others learn the skills they need through online courses or self-study. There are also a number of workshops and bootcamps that can help you develop the skills you need to succeed in this field.

Career Path

Character designers typically start their careers as junior artists or modelers. As they gain experience, they may move up to more senior positions, such as lead artist or character art director. Some character designers also choose to start their own businesses.

Day-to-Day Responsibilities

The day-to-day responsibilities of a character designer can vary depending on the size of the studio they work for and the specific projects they are working on. However, some common tasks include:

  • Creating concept art for new characters
  • Developing 3D models and textures for characters
  • Creating animations for characters
  • Working with other artists and designers to create a cohesive visual style

Challenges

Character design can be a challenging field, but it can also be very rewarding. One of the biggest challenges is creating characters that are both unique and appealing. Character designers must also be able to work under tight deadlines and meet the demands of clients.

Projects

Character designers work on a variety of different projects, including video games, animated films, and television shows. Some of the most famous character designers include:

  • John Lasseter
  • Tim Burton
  • Hayao Miyazaki

Personal Growth

Character design can be a great career for people who are creative and passionate about art. It is a field that offers a lot of opportunities for growth and development.

Personality Traits and Interests

People who succeed in character design typically have the following personality traits and interests:

  • Creativity
  • Attention to detail
  • Strong work ethic
  • Passion for art
  • Ability to work independently and as part of a team

Self-Guided Projects

There are a number of self-guided projects that you can complete to help you prepare for a career in character design. Some of these projects include:

  • Creating a character portfolio
  • Working on personal art projects
  • Taking online courses or workshops in character design
  • Volunteering to create artwork for non-profit organizations

Online Courses

Online courses can be a great way to learn about character design and develop the skills you need to succeed in this field. Online courses can provide you with access to lectures, projects, assignments, quizzes, exams, discussions, and interactive labs. This can help you learn about the latest trends in character design and develop the skills you need to create your own unique characters.

Conclusion

Character design is a challenging but rewarding field. It is a great career for people who are creative and passionate about art. If you are interested in a career in character design, there are a number of online courses that can help you learn about the latest trends and develop the skills you need to succeed.

Share

Help others find this career page by sharing it with your friends and followers:

Salaries for Character Designer

City
Median
New York
$115,000
San Francisco
$123,000
Seattle
$109,500
See all salaries
City
Median
New York
$115,000
San Francisco
$123,000
Seattle
$109,500
Austin
$85,000
Toronto
$112,000
London
£95,000
Paris
€41,000
Berlin
€69,000
Tel Aviv
₪77,000
Singapore
S$12,200
Beijing
¥650,000
Shanghai
¥173,000
Shenzhen
¥640,000
Bengalaru
₹472,000
Delhi
₹556,000
Bars indicate relevance. All salaries presented are estimates. Completion of this course does not guarantee or imply job placement or career outcomes.

Path to Character Designer

Take the first step.
We've curated 23 courses to help you on your path to Character Designer. Use these to develop your skills, build background knowledge, and put what you learn to practice.
Sorted from most relevant to least relevant:

Reading list

We haven't picked any books for this reading list yet.
Comprehensive guide to the art of animation, covering everything from the basics of drawing to the latest techniques in computer animation. It must-read for anyone who wants to learn how to create professional-quality animation.
Comprehensive guide to the principles of animation, covering everything from character design to timing and motion. It must-read for anyone who wants to learn the basics of animation.
This comprehensive guide to character design offers a deep-dive into the principles and techniques used in creating visually appealing and memorable characters for games.
A well-regarded book for learning character design fundamentals, this book is considered to be one of the essential books on the topic.
Comprehensive guide to the art of 3D computer animation and effects, covering everything from the basics of 3D modeling to the latest techniques in rendering and compositing. It must-read for anyone who wants to learn how to create their own 3D animations and effects.
Comprehensive history of animation, from its origins in the early days of cinema to the latest techniques in computer animation. It must-read for anyone who wants to learn about the history of animation and how it has evolved over time.
For character artists with experience, this book explores advanced concepts and techniques in character design, featuring the work of renowned artist John Howe.
Practical guide to creating cartoon animation. It covers everything from character design to storyboarding to animation techniques. It great resource for anyone who wants to learn how to create their own cartoons.
Comprehensive guide to the art of character expression, which is the process of creating believable and engaging characters that can communicate a wide range of emotions. It covers everything from the basics of facial expressions to the latest techniques in character animation. It must-read for anyone who wants to learn how to create their own 3D characters that can truly come to life.
Comprehensive guide to the art of motion, which is the process of creating believable and fluid movement in animation. It covers everything from the basics of physics to the latest techniques in character animation. It must-read for anyone who wants to learn how to create their own 3D characters that can move realistically and convincingly.
Comprehensive guide to the art of drawing, which is the foundation of all animation. It covers everything from the basics of anatomy to the latest techniques in character design. It must-read for anyone who wants to learn how to draw and create their own 3D characters.
Comprehensive guide to the art of computer animation, from its origins in the early days of cinema to the latest techniques in 3D animation. It must-read for anyone who wants to learn about the history of computer animation and how it has evolved over time.
Visual guide to character design, with hundreds of examples from movies, TV shows, video games, and animation. It covers everything from basic anatomy to creating unique and memorable characters.
Great introduction to the art of computer animation, covering everything from the basics of 3D modeling to the latest techniques in animation and rendering. It great resource for anyone who wants to learn how to create their own computer animations.
Save
Classic guide to creating characters with depth and personality. It offers practical advice on everything from developing backstories to writing dialogue.
An experienced character designer, Tom Bancroft shares his insights on developing memorable and expressive characters.
Provides a structured approach to character design, emphasizing the importance of research and storytelling.
This magazine great resource for character designers of all levels. It features interviews with top character designers, articles on the latest trends in character design, and showcases of some of the best character designs from around the world.
Provides a comprehensive overview of character art for games, covering topics such as anatomy, modeling, and texturing.
Our mission

OpenCourser helps millions of learners each year. People visit us to learn workspace skills, ace their exams, and nurture their curiosity.

Our extensive catalog contains over 50,000 courses and twice as many books. Browse by search, by topic, or even by career interests. We'll match you to the right resources quickly.

Find this site helpful? Tell a friend about us.

Affiliate disclosure

We're supported by our community of learners. When you purchase or subscribe to courses and programs or purchase books, we may earn a commission from our partners.

Your purchases help us maintain our catalog and keep our servers humming without ads.

Thank you for supporting OpenCourser.

© 2016 - 2024 OpenCourser