Illustrator/Animator for Original Character & Brand System (Fast Turnaround)
We're looking for a skilled illustrator (animation experience a strong plus) to execute the visual production of an original character for an animated series brand system. All creative direction, strategy, and brand decisions will be defined on our end. We need someone to bring the vision to life, not develop it from scratch.
What we need:
We're rebuilding a recurring character (a cat) into a fully original, ownable design; a modern, expressive character with a slightly human-like quality (not flat/simple), in the same illustrative family as characters like those on Sesame Street, but distinctly our own.
Alongside the main character, we'll need 1-2 companion characters developed in a matching style, plus a set of supporting visual assets used across short-form video content (props, motifs, text treatments, etc.).
Deliverables:
- Final character design: the primary character (cat), fully original and production-ready
- 1-2 companion characters (e.g. a dog and an alien-type character), stylistically matched to the primary character
- Multiple character variations/poses (e.g. with accessories like glasses, bow, suit)
- A small library of supporting graphic assets (recurring props, arrows, text box treatments, and similar motifs used in video content… full list provided in brief)
- Source files (layered, editable. Please specify your working software: Procreate, Illustrator, Photoshop, After Effects, etc.)
Timeline (firm):
- Day 1-2: Initial concept mockups of primary character
- Day 3-4: Finalized primary character delivered
- Day 4: Mockups of 2 companion characters
- Day 5: Final character variations + supporting asset library delivered
This is a fast-moving sprint with fixed delivery dates. Please only apply if you can commit to this timeline with availability to turn around revisions quickly (1-2 rounds max per deliverable)!
What we're looking for in you:
- Strong character illustration portfolio — especially expressive, personality-driven characters
- Comfortable working from a defined brief/reference rather than developing concepts independently
- Animation experience is a plus, even if not required for this phase. Let us know your capabilities and rate for animation work in case we expand scope
- Fast communicator, comfortable with quick turnarounds and async feedback
To apply, please include:
- 2-3 portfolio pieces most relevant to character design (bonus if any show a character across multiple poses/expressions consistently)
- Confirmation that you can hit the timeline above
- Your typical revision process/turnaround time
- If applicable, examples of animation work