Flying Bark Productions is hiring: Lead Character Designer in Los Angeles

Overview

Lead Character Designer role at Flying Bark Productions. LA-based position to lead a team of artists and collaborate with directors and art directors to develop expressive, stylized characters for an upcoming CG animated series.

Responsibilities

• Design original character concepts based on scripts, story outlines, and creative direction.
• Develop turnarounds, expression sheets, pose sheets, and costume variations to support 3D modeling and rigging.
• Collaborate with art directors, modelers, and animators to ensure designs translate from 2D to 3D.
• Maintain stylistic consistency and support the visual tone of the series.
• Iterate quickly and respond to feedback and direction.
• Support character development documents including design bibles and presentation materials.
• Refine existing designs for secondary and background characters.
• Research references to enrich character personalities and cultural authenticity.
• Supervise a team of designers, provide feedback, and ensure consistent show style.
• Provide solutions to keep design work on schedule and within budget.

Qualifications

• Proven experience as a Character Designer for CG or 2D animated series, games, or films.
• Strong portfolio showing expressive character designs with variety in body types, age, and style.
• Excellent understanding of anatomy, proportion, silhouette, costume, and color theory.
• Proficiency in digital illustration tools (e.g., Photoshop, Procreate, or equivalent).
• Familiarity with the CG animation pipeline and 3D production constraints.
• Ability to work under deadlines, adapt to feedback, and communicate visually and verbally.
• Experience with designing for rigging and animation is a plus.
• Passion for storytelling and knowledge of character-driven narratives.

Preferred Skills

• Experience managing a team of artists.
• Experience with episodic animated productions.
• Familiarity with 3D software (e.g., Blender, Maya, ZBrush) to collaborate with modelers.
• Background in character development or storyboarding.
• Knowledge of diverse cultural aesthetics and inclusive design.

Why work with us?

• Work on acclaimed projects in the industry. Learn more at Flying Bark.
• Hybrid working with flexible work-from-home days.
• Career development with ongoing training and support opportunities.
• Inclusive, welcoming culture where everyone is celebrated.

Flying Bark Productions is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Location: Los Angeles, CA | Salary Range: $2,886.04 weekly - $3,000.00 weekly