What does a character designer do?
A day in the life of a character designer can vary significantly depending on factors like:
- The type of project: Animation (TV series, feature films), video games, comics, advertising, etc
- The stage of the project: Early concept development, refinement, production
- The size and structure of the studio/team: Freelance vs. in-house, small indie team vs. large studio
- The designer’s role and seniority: Junior, mid-level, senior, lead
But generally speaking, a character designer’s day looks like this…
Morning: Checking emails, attending team stand-ups, and reviewing character briefs and reference materials.
Midday: Primarily focused on sketching and developing initial character concepts, experimenting with different visual ideas.
Afternoon: Refining chosen concepts with details like expressions and clothing, creating turnarounds, presenting designs for feedback, and making revisions. Some time is also spent on administrative tasks and file organization.
Throughout the day: Constant communication and collaboration with the team, problem-solving based on project needs, and applying both creative and technical skills while meeting deadlines. The specifics can vary greatly depending on the project, studio, and the designer’s role.