A story isn’t really a story without the colorful characters that make it up. Whether you’re working on a creative project and need to bring your tale to life, or you’re a business looking for a mascot to represent your company, character design can help you bring your story to life.
A professional and creative character designer brings a unique perspective and can add something special to your projects.
How to get the best character design
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A character’s look tells you a lot about who they are and what they (and your brand) represent. In order help you get that look exactly right, 99designs offers two ways of getting your character designed.
Start a character design contest
Want multiple designers from around the world to show you how they visualize your character? A design contest will give you that! We’ll help you write a brief, then post it for thousands of designers to see. Designers will send you ideas, you give feedback to perfect those ideas and you pick your favorite character as the winner.
Work directly with a freelance character designer
Sometimes, you have a vision in your head and the best way to get it out is to work with a single designer that has the right style. You agree on a price and collaborate to get it exactly right. If this is what you’re looking for, read on!
The 10 best freelance character designers to hire in 2023
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1
Jeff Purnawan
5.0
(200)
Illustration or graphics
Character or mascot
Book cover
Logo design
T-shirt
Other art or illustration
Album Cover
Other design
Tattoo
Icon or button
Other Graphic Design
Postcard, flyer or print
Other web or app design
Other business or advertising
Cup or mug
Card or invitation
Banner ad
Web page design
Social media page
Logo & social media pack
Signage
Magazine cover
Logo & business card
Landing page design
3D
Request quote
2
HealMe
5.0
(106)
Logo design
Illustration or graphics
Character or mascot
Logo & brand identity pack
Logo & social media pack
Logo & brand guide
Logo & business card
Other Graphic Design
Other art or illustration
Other design
Product packaging
Merchandise
Button or icon
Sticker
Other clothing or merchandise
Other business or advertising
T-shirt
Signage
Poster
Other packaging or label
Brand guide
Banner ad
App
Request quote
3
Andreask84
5.0
(226)
Illustration or graphics
Character or mascot
T-shirt
Logo design
Product packaging
Other art or illustration
Product label
Postcard, flyer or print
Clothing or apparel
3D
Signage
Tattoo
Sticker
Other web or app design
Other packaging or label
Merchandise
Logo & product packaging
Brochure
Logo & brand identity pack
WordPress theme design
Logo & social media pack
Poster
Podcast
Other business or advertising
Logo & business card
Cup or mug
Card or invitation
Album Cover
Request quote
4
harwi studio
5.0
(53)
Illustration or graphics
Character or mascot
Logo design
Logo & brand identity pack
Other art or illustration
App design
Logo & social media pack
Infographic
Logo & brand guide
Logo & business card
T-shirt
Signage
Poster
Other design
Other clothing or merchandise
Other business or advertising
Merchandise
Business card
3D
Request quote
5
Armanto
5.0
(150)
Logo design
Illustration or graphics
Character or mascot
Web page design
Logo & business card
Sticker
Logo & brand guide
WordPress theme design
Logo & social media pack
Postcard, flyer or print
Other web or app design
Other art or illustration
Infographic
Icon or button
Logo & brand identity pack
Request quote
6
DinoDevilDesign™
5.0
(69)
Logo design
Character or mascot
Other design
Logo & business card
Illustration or graphics
Logo & brand identity pack
Product packaging
Other web or app design
Facebook cover
Tattoo
Sticker
Social media page
Logo & social media pack
Postcard, flyer or print
Other packaging or label
Other clothing or merchandise
Logo & product packaging
Logo & brand guide
Request quote
7
DZenhar Studio
5.0
(324)
Logo design
Illustration or graphics
Character or mascot
Logo & social media pack
Logo & brand identity pack
Logo & brand guide
Postcard, flyer or print
Other art or illustration
Logo & business card
Other business or advertising
Business card
Web page design
Signage
Car, truck or van wrap
Poster
Other design
Brand guide
T-shirt
Stationery
Product packaging
Other web or app design
Merchandise
Icon or button
Facebook cover
Request quote
8
Nandatama ✪
5.0
(178)
Logo design
Logo & brand identity pack
Character or mascot
Logo & social media pack
Logo & brand guide
Illustration or graphics
Logo & business card
Car, truck or van wrap
Product packaging
Icon or button
Other design
Other business or advertising
Other art or illustration
Logo & product packaging
T-shirt
Poster
Other web or app design
App design
Clothing or apparel
Brochure
WordPress theme design
Web page design
Stationery
Product label
PowerPoint template
Postcard, flyer or print
Other packaging or label
Facebook cover
Business card
Request quote
9
lofosparalogos
5.0
(291)
Illustration or graphics
Product label
Character or mascot
Other art or illustration
Logo design
T-shirt
Product packaging
Sticker
Tattoo
Other book or magazine
Poster
Postcard, flyer or print
Other design
Other business or advertising
Clothing or apparel
Card or invitation
Book cover
Other packaging or label
Merchandise
Icon or button
Signage
Infographic
Business card
Brochure
Logo & brand identity pack
Banner ad
Web page design
Other web or app design
Other clothing or merchandise
Menu
Logo & business card
Landing page design
Request quote
10
giorgia.isacchi
5.0
(240)
Illustration or graphics
Logo design
Character or mascot
Banner ad
Other clothing or merchandise
T-shirt
Other design
Other art or illustration
Merchandise
Product packaging
Product label
Clothing or apparel
Book cover
Web page design
Stationery
Logo & social media pack
Postcard, flyer or print
Other business or advertising
Logo & brand identity pack
Other web or app design
Icon or button
Brochure
Tattoo
Signage
Poster
Other packaging or label
App design
Logo & business card
Logo & brand guide
Landing page design
Infographic
Business card
Request quote
More character designers
How did we choose these as the top character designers?
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Quality
99designs categorizes the designers on our marketplace in terms of their experience: Entry level, Mid leveland Top level. These design levels are assigned by a portfolio review from our in-house design experts.
In order to pick the best of the best, we also consider the following:
Experience with Character Design
Not every graphic designer has the skills required to be a great character designer—it really is a specialty. The top character designers on 99designs have successfully completed many related projects, effectively earning their chops.
Professionalism
The freelance character designers on this list of the very best didn’t make it here by chance—they had to demonstrate a history of professionalism in their dealings with clients, successfully completing many different projects.
What to think about when hiring a character designer
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Before you default to the first character designer on our list of the very best, consider:
- Asking about the designer’s process. Do they ask thoughtful questions about your story and desired character design? Do they take the time to get to know your brand? Having a solid understanding of what you’re looking for, and the brand traits you want reflected in your character design, are essential for achieving a design you can both be proud of.
- Checking out portfolios for style. Skill and style are two very different things to consider when looking for a freelance character designer. A candidate may have a lot of advanced skills but it’s possible that their resulting character designs aren’t compatible with your style. Because of this, you’ll want to look through past portfolio pieces to get an idea of who’s the best fit for your project.
Are you ready to hire an amazing freelance character designer?
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A character designer can help bring your story to life: whether fictional or to aid in company marketing efforts. Don’t see your perfect match on this list? Search our entire platform for the best character to come up with your next design.
Find a designerWant more characters?
If you don’t see your perfect match here never fear! We have thousands of professional character designers to choose from.
