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How to Become a Character Designer: Australian Careers in Gaming and Animation

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What is a Character Designer?

What will I do?

What skills do I need?

Resources

What is a Character Designer?

A character designer creates the look and feel of characters for animation, games, film, and comics. They sketch early ideas, refine designs through feedback, and deliver final artwork that brings stories to life. It is a creative and team-based role at the heart of Australia’s growing screen and games industries.

Character designers work closely with directors, writers, and other artists from the start of a project. They explore design ideas, share concepts with the team, and build reference sheets for animators and 3D modellers to follow.

Day-to-day tasks include building colour palettes, drawing expressions and action poses, and designing costumes. Most character designers use Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, or Procreate. Some also produce 3D concept refs for game or film pipelines.

Australia’s screen and games sectors are growing fast. New studios, streaming demand, and local content funding are all driving more roles for skilled character designers. It is a strong career path for those with drawing talent and a love of storytelling.

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Career snapshots For Character Designers

Character design sits within the Illustrator and Animator group in Australia (ANZSCO 232412). Around 3,400 people work in this field nationally (Jobs and Skills Australia, 2025). The median age is 34, with 70% in full-time work and 36% female. Future demand is rated as strong.

Average pay is $1,500 per week, or around $78,000 per year (Jobs and Skills Australia, 2025). Experienced designers in games or feature film often earn more. Freelance and contract work is also common and can pay well.

What will I do?

A character designer brings characters to life through concept art, design development, and detailed production reference sheets. They work across animation, games, film, and comics, ensuring each character’s visual design serves the story’s emotional and narrative goals.

  • Research and Concept Development – Researching themes, character types, and visual styles to inform the design process.
  • Sketching and Concept Art – Drawing initial character ideas, exploring different silhouettes, proportions, and looks.
  • Director and Writer Collaboration – Working with creative leads to ensure designs match the story and production vision.
  • Refining Designs – Adjusting and improving character designs based on team feedback over multiple review rounds.
  • Character Turnarounds – Producing full 360-degree reference sheets so animators and modellers can work from a consistent base.
  • Expression and Pose Sheets – Creating detailed emotion and action studies to guide how animators portray the character.
  • Colour Palette Development – Selecting colour schemes that reflect the character’s personality, role, and world.
  • Staying Current – Keeping up with industry trends, new software, and evolving visual styles in animation and gaming.

What skills do I need?

A character designer needs strong drawing skills as a base. They must understand anatomy, proportion, and how the body moves. On top of that, they need to grasp colour theory, shape language, and visual storytelling. These core art skills apply whether they work in games, animation, or film.

Digital tools are central to the role. Most character designers work in Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator. Procreate is also widely used for concept work. Some roles in game production call for basic skills in 3D software such as ZBrush or Blender. The specific tools depend on the studio and the project.

Collaboration and communication matter just as much as technical skill. Character designers take part in team reviews, present ideas clearly, and act on feedback without losing the core concept. They also manage their own time well and adapt their style to suit each project.

Skills/attributes

  • Strong drawing and illustration skills
  • Knowledge of character anatomy and proportions
  • Creativity and visual imagination
  • Ability to develop original character concepts
  • Proficiency in digital art software (Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, Procreate)
  • Understanding of colour theory and design principles
  • Visual storytelling ability
  • Attention to detail
  • Ability to work as part of a team
  • Adaptability across different styles and genres
  • Time management skills
  • Openness to feedback and revision
  • Passion for animation, comics, or gaming

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About the author

Laura Atkinson

Laura Atkinson

Laura Atkinson is an Account Management and SEM specialist at Course Finder Group with six years' experience in the Australian education sector. She works day to day with universities, TAFEs and independent training providers, which gives her a close view of how courses map to real career outcomes. She writes practical guidance on career pathways, choosing the right qualification and what to expect when moving into a new field.