Illustrator - Product & Character Design

Job Description

Job Description

Illustrator — Product & Character Design
Remote | Full-Time | Pacific Time Business Hours | $74,000–$78,000

Our CA-based client is a highly respected leader in the seasonal products industry, designing and developing innovative Halloween and Christmas products for major retailers and online consumers. Their product line includes large-scale animatronics, 3D characters, seasonal décor, licensed merchandise, and other highly detailed physical products. Due to continued growth, they are expanding their existing team of talented Illustrators and are seeking a creative, versatile Illustrator to join the team.

This is an exciting opportunity for an illustrator who enjoys seeing their artwork move from concept to physical product. You’ll develop visual concepts for a wide range of products, including seasonal décor, costumes, large-scale animatronics and 3D character-based products, licensed merchandise, and premium/luxury collections.

Previous Halloween or Christmas product experience is not required, although experience with seasonal products is highly desirable.

What You'll Do

• Develop original concepts and polished product imagery for seasonal and licensed products
• Create artwork for a wide range of products, including décor, costumes, animatronics, characters, props, and premium/luxury items
• Translate creative concepts into compelling, dimensional illustrations that communicate how a finished product should look
• Develop character and creature concepts with accurate anatomy, proportions, structure, and dimensionality
• Produce concept art, product imagery, specification sheets, presentation materials, and other visual assets used throughout product development
• Work closely with product development teams to refine concepts based on aesthetics, functionality, customer expectations, and cost considerations
• Participate in brainstorming and creative meetings, contributing original ideas and providing visual input
• Provide artwork and revisions according to established project priorities and deadlines
• Provide visual and verbal art direction throughout product development as needed
• Review product development at various stages, providing feedback on sculpture quality, construction, framing, cladding, mechanisms, sound, and overall aesthetics
• Create visual assets for product presentations, sales meetings, displays, and customer approvals
• Develop character sound scripts and creative direction when needed, including dialogue, mood, sound effects, and timing
• Use Photoshop as the primary creative tool and incorporate 3D or other software when appropriate
• Research retail trends, competitor products, merchandising, pricing, and emerging technologies to inform new product concepts
• Attend occasional industry events, customer meetings, and team gatherings
• Collaborate closely with a creative team while working remotely

What We're Looking For

• Bachelor's degree in illustration, fine arts, design, or a related field, or equivalent professional experience
• 2–4+ years of professional experience as an Illustrator or in a closely related illustration/concept -art role
• Strong portfolio demonstrating advanced anatomy and figure-drawing skills — this is a key requirement for the role
• Portfolio must demonstrate a strong understanding of human and/or creature anatomy, including proportions, musculature, structure, and movement
• Ability to accurately construct and render the human or creature figure in a variety of poses, perspectives, and angles
• Strong portfolio demonstrating excellent illustration and rendering ability
• Ability to render objects and characters convincingly in three dimensions
• Strong understanding of light, shadow, color, form, perspective, and materials
• Excellent Photoshop skills are required
• Ability to move comfortably between quick concept development and highly refined finished artwork
• Strong attention to detail while maintaining efficiency and meeting deadlines
• Ability to take creative direction, incorporate feedback, and communicate visual ideas clearly
• Strong collaborative skills and the ability to work effectively with product development and creative teams

Portfolio Requirement:
Candidates will be evaluated heavily on their portfolio, particularly their anatomy and character work. Please ensure your portfolio includes clear examples demonstrating your ability to draw and render human and/or creature anatomy. Anatomy studies, figure drawings, character concepts, and other work demonstrating your understanding of the underlying structure of the figure are highly encouraged.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience creating artwork for Halloween, Christmas, or other seasonal products
• Experience with character design, creature design, costumes, props, or physical product concepts
• Strong experience designing characters or creatures intended for physical, three-dimensional production
• Experience with animatronics or sculptural/3D products
• Familiarity with ZBrush or other 3D sculpting/modeling software
• Experience working with licensed properties or recognizable entertainment brands
• Experience creating artwork intended to guide physical product development

Work Environment & Schedule

• 100% remote position
• Must be available to work during Pacific Time business hours
• Occasional travel is required, approximately twice per year, for company-wide team meetings and collaboration
• Additional travel may be requested for industry events, customer meetings, or trade shows as needed

Interviews are happening now

As part of our promise to talent, Kelly supports those who work with us through a variety of benefits, perks, and work-related resources. Please note: The following benefits reflect Kelly's general offerings. Eligibility may vary by assignment, location, and job type. Kelly offers eligible employees voluntary benefit plans including medical, dental, vision, telemedicine, term life, whole life, accident insurance, critical illness, a legal plan, and short-term disability. As a Kelly employee, you will have access to a retirement savings plan, service bonus and holiday pay plans (earn up to eight paid holidays per benefit year), and a transit spending account. In addition, employees are entitled to earn paid sick leave under the applicable state or local plan. Click here for more information on benefits and perks that may be available to you as a member of the Kelly Talent Community.

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