Illustrator Needed to Express Emotion Through Our Original “Happy” Character (Per Approved Artwork) - Contract to Hire

Job Description We’re The Happy Company. For over 30 years, we’ve believed that work should be joyful, human, playful, and meaningful—and that belief is embodied in our original character, Happy. Important: We are not redesigning or replacing Happy. Happy already exists. What we’re looking for is an artist who can infuse Happy with deeper emotional range—through expressions, gestures, and moments that visually communicate: -Appreciation -Inspiration -Confidence -Warmth -Joy Happy should always feel warm, human, simple, and sincere—never sarcastic, cynical, edgy, or overly exaggerated. We’re not looking for slapstick humor, irony, or anything that feels loud or performative. Happy’s strength is gentle, kind, and grounded. If a drawing feels rushed, clever for the sake of cleverness, or emotionally unclear, it’s probably not right. About the Work You’ll be illustrating Happy in simple, expressive action poses and emotional states that align with short card-based messages. These visuals will be used for digital cards, email experiences, and future creative projects. We are currently developing three visual card series: • *Appreciation Cards • *Inspiration Cards • *“I Am” / Affirmation Cards Each series contains 108 phrases. If selected, we’ll share the phrase lists and meanings so you can intuitively assign an expression or pose that best fits each message. Compensation -$5 USD per approved artwork -You may submit as many artworks as you’d like -Payment is issued only for approved pieces that: -Clearly convey the intended emotion -Stay true to Happy’s original spirit and design -Visually align with the meaning of the phrase There is no cap on how many approved artworks you can be paid for. How We Work We start with very small paid tests (one sketch at a time) If your work resonates emotionally, we’ll gradually ask for more Our guiding question is simple: Does this make us smile, feel lighter, or feel human? What We’re Looking For -Strong character illustration instincts -Ability to communicate emotion through simple expressions and body language -Respect for an existing character (no reinvention) -Openness to feedback and collaboration -Consistency in character style How to Apply Please include: Samples of character or expressive illustration work Any examples that show emotional storytelling A short note on why this project resonates with you We’re not looking for the most responses—we’re looking for the right artist. Apply tot his job Apply To this Job