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How to Become a Character Designer in Australia: careers in Gaming and Animation
Definition of a Character Designer
A character designer creates the look and feel of characters across animation, games, film, and interactive media. They turn story briefs into detailed character artwork within mixed creative teams. The role calls for high skill in visual design and narrative thinking.
Character designers work closely with directors, writers, and concept artists throughout a project. They sketch and revise concepts, then build final character sheets that guide the whole production team. Their work shapes how audiences connect with a story and its characters.
Key tasks include concept sketching, pose and expression work, costume design, and colour planning. Most character designers are skilled in Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, Procreate, and ZBrush. Turnaround sheets for animation and modelling round out the core output.
Australia’s screen and games sectors are backed by bodies such as Screen Australia. State agencies including Screen NSW, VicScreen, and Screen Queensland offer local support. Strong global demand for animated content is driving job growth for character designers across the country.
About the author
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.
