Question 1

What does a character designer do?

Ari Eisner · Accepted Answer

Character designers conceive and create the appearance of specific characters. Working with Directors and/or Writers, they use all the input they’ve been given about a character’s physical traits and personality to generate a completely unique look and appearance.

Question 2

How do I start a career as a character designer?

Ari Eisner · Accepted Answer

There’s no direct, hard and fast way to becoming a character designer. Whether it be through education or just nose-to-the-grindstone experience, the common factor to both paths is doing the work. Paid or unpaid, get your animation tools ready and start to sharpen your craft. As with so many other skills and crafts, the more you practice doing it, the better you’ll be.

Question 3

Do character designers need a degree?

Ari Eisner · Accepted Answer

A degree isn’t necessarily required to become a character designer. Your skills as an artist and visual creator are the chief consideration for the position. But having a degree in illustration, art, graphic design or animation (or any combination thereof) certainly couldn’t hurt your chances at landing a job.

Film Career Finder

Start Here: