Character Design Intern 2026 at LAIKA Studios

Job Overview

Role Overview

The Character Design Intern is a pivotal developmental role within our pre-production and production pipeline. This is not a passive learning experience; it is a “hands-on” immersion into the creative heart of a feature-length production. Working under the direct supervision of the Principal Character Designer, the intern will assist in the high-level exploration, iterative design, and technical finalization of characters that will eventually be translated into physical puppets.

The primary objective of this internship is to provide a comprehensive look at the life cycle of character creation. You will be tasked with translating abstract narrative concepts into tangible visual designs. This role requires a high degree of artistic flexibility, as you will be expected to adapt to the specific “house style” of a production while injecting your own unique creative perspective. From anatomical research to the creation of expression sheets that inform the facial animation of our puppets, your work will directly impact the visual development of our upcoming projects.

Key Responsibilities and Production Tasks

The responsibilities of the Character Design Intern are multifaceted, spanning from initial blue-sky research to the final technical deliverables required for the puppet fabrication pipeline.

I. Conceptual Exploration & Research

• Creative Investigation: Conduct deep-dive research into human and animal anatomy, historical costume design, and diverse drawing styles to inform early character concepts.

• Personality Development: Explore character design elements that define a character’s attitude, personality traits, and psychological depth through silhouette and posture.

• Iterative Sketching: Generate a high volume of “loose” exploration sketches to help directors and lead designers narrow down the visual direction of a character.

II. 2D Design & Technical Specification

• Character Turnarounds: Assist in the creation of detailed 2D turnarounds (front, back, and profile views) that serve as blueprints for the physical puppet builders.

• Expression Sheets: Develop comprehensive expression and “mouth-shape” sheets to define the range of emotional performance a character must achieve.

• Posing & Dynamics: Produce dynamic action poses that showcase how a character moves through space and interacts with their environment.

• Color Blocking: Assist in the application of color theory to character designs, creating color blocks and digital “character paints” to establish skin tones, textures, and costume palettes.

III. Pipeline Collaboration

• Cross-Departmental Synergy: Create design elements (faces, body shapes, hairstyles, and hands) that provide clear instructions to the Puppet Fabrication and Armature departments.

• Feedback Integration: Participate in formal review sessions and dailies. You must demonstrate the ability to take critical direction and incorporate director notes with speed and professional grace.

• Schedule Adherence: Effectively prioritize daily tasks to meet the rigorous deadlines established by the production calendar.

Required and Preferred Qualifications

Minimum Academic and Professional Standards

• Educational Status: Currently enrolled as a Senior at an accredited college or university, or a recent graduate within 12 months of the program start date.

• Discipline: Major or concentration in Animation, Film, Fine Arts, Illustration, or a related creative field.

• Drawing Excellence: Exceptional foundational drawing skills, with a specific mastery of character construction, weight, and volume.

• Software Proficiency: Advanced knowledge of Adobe Photoshop as the primary tool for digital design and painting.

Core Competencies (The “Soft Skills”)

• Stylistic Versatility: The ability to move beyond your personal drawing “comfort zone” and adapt to the unique aesthetic requirements of a specific film.

• Anatomical Foundation: A solid understanding of human and animal anatomy, including facial musculature and skeletal structure.

• Collaborative Spirit: The ability to work both independently on deep-focus tasks and collaboratively within a high-pressure team environment.

• Detail Orientation: A meticulous approach to turnarounds and technical drawings where a single misplaced line could impact the practical build of a puppet.

Physical Demands & Work Environment

The Character Design Intern role is performed on-site at our studio to ensure seamless collaboration with the design and fabrication teams.

• Physical Activity: While primarily a sedentary design role, the employee will occasionally need to walk, stand, and navigate a bustling studio environment.

• Equipment Use: Constant use of digital drawing tablets and standard office computer equipment.

• Visual Acuity: The role requires exceptional close vision and the ability to distinguish subtle color variations and focus adjustments during the design process.

• Environment: Typical studio/office conditions with moderate noise levels and indoor temperature fluctuations.

Benefits and Perks

As an Character Design Intern at our Hillsboro Laika studio, you are more than a temporary worker; you are a member of our creative family. Benefits of the program include:

• Mentorship: One-on-one guidance from some of the industry’s most respected Principal Designers.

• Portfolio Development: The opportunity to work on high-profile projects that will serve as a cornerstone for your professional portfolio.

• Studio Access: Exposure to the full “end-to-end” stop-motion process, from the fabrication shops to the animation stages.

• Networking: Direct interaction with a diverse cohort of interns and professionals across various departments.

Application Process: The Road to Hillsboro

Submission Deadline: Friday, March 27, 2026, by 6:00 PM PDT.

To ensure your application is reviewed, please adhere strictly to the following requirements:

1. Portfolio Requirement: Applications without a link to a relevant portfolio, demo reel, or drawing samples will not be considered. We are looking for portfolios that showcase strong character construction, clear turnarounds, and a variety of emotional expressions.

2. Supporting Materials: Please include a resume and a brief cover letter outlining your passion for the stop-motion medium and character design.

3. Final Review: Following the March 27th deadline, our recruitment team will conduct a thorough review. Shortlisted candidates may be invited for a virtual or in-person interview.

Compensation Disclosure: This is a paid internship at a fixed rate of $20.00 per hour. This rate is non-negotiable and applies to all interns within the Summer 2026 cohort.