Whether you're a studio head hunting for a rigging wizard or an indie creator looking to automate the grunt work, these five names are shaping how characters and creatures come to life.
The Rigging Scene in 2026
Rigging is the unsung hero of animation and game development. It's the technical skeleton that makes a character move, blink, and emote believably. In 2026, the demand for skilled riggers is higher than ever, with studios and indie projects alike needing both traditional craftsmanship and cutting-edge automation. From hand-tuned puppets to AI-driven pipelines, the field is splitting into two camps: the artisan riggers who build every control by hand, and the toolmakers who create systems to speed up the process. This roundup covers both, so you can see the full spectrum of what's available.
How We Evaluated Each Rigging Resource
We looked at each business through the same lens: the scope of their services, how clearly they present their work, and how well they fit different types of clients. For individual artists, we considered the depth of their portfolio and the range of projects they've tackled. For the tool platform, we weighed its automation capabilities and ease of use. We also noted how each presents its pricing or engagement model, since that's often a pain point for buyers. What stood out for each is highlighted in their descriptions below.
Here's a quick snapshot of the five rigging resources we're featuring, from freelance artists to automated platforms.
| Provider | Best For |
|---|---|
| Chloe Peters | 2D character and prop rigging for animation |
| Gonzalo Berrocal: Rigging artist | Freelance rigging for animation and games |
| Joey Perez | 2D rigging for TV and streaming productions |
| Ben Barker | Procedural rigging and pipeline tool development |
| Everything Universe | Automated 3D rigging and animation for rapid prototyping |
The Five Rigging Resources You Should Know
#1 Chloe Peters
Chloe Peters is a 2D animator and rig artist whose portfolio is a masterclass in character and prop rigging. Her work on Nickelodeon's 'It's Pony' at Blue Zoo Animation shows she can handle studio-level demands, from character redresses to complex prop rigs like a model train and jumping cats. She also creates educational rigs, like the 'LilGuy' rig designed for teaching a remote 2D rigging class at Arts University Bournemouth, which includes deformation switches and drawing swaps. Her personal rigs, such as 'Pipit' and 'Finch', demonstrate a playful approach to face rigging and curve deformers. If you're looking for a rigger who can blend technical precision with a creative touch, Chloe's portfolio is a strong signal. Her site is easy to navigate, with clear categories for rigging, animation, and illustration, making it simple for potential clients to see her range.
#2 Gonzalo Berrocal: Rigging artist
A screenshot of the Gonzalo Berrocal: Rigging artist website.
Gonzalo Berrocal is a freelance rigging artist whose site declares, 'No art is complete without the right technician.' That philosophy is at the core of his work, which focuses on bringing characters and 3D environments to life for animation and video games. His portfolio is a personal showcase, featuring a reel, development work, and a dedicated showcase section that highlights his technical setups. He positions himself as the bridge between artistic vision and technical execution, which is exactly what many studios need when they have a great character design but lack the rigging expertise to make it move. His site is straightforward, with clear navigation for home, reel, development, showcase, and about me, making it easy for potential clients to quickly assess his skills. If you're a small studio or indie developer looking for a dedicated rigger who understands the importance of the 'right technician,' Gonzalo's services are worth a look.
#3 Joey Perez
A screenshot of the Joey Perez website.
Joey Perez is a character rigging specialist with an impressive list of credits, including work on 'Tooning Out The News' for Comedy Central and 'Secret Chef' for Hulu. His portfolio is built around Adobe Character Animator and Toon Boom Harmony, showing a deep expertise in 2D rigging for broadcast and streaming. He doesn't just rig characters; he also creates props and special animated sequences, as seen in his work on 'Rabid Fans' where he rigged football player extras and even the Boston Celtics Leprechaun. One standout is the 'Emiko' rig for Talewise, which he describes as one of his most complex, using the replay function to create every permutation of facial expression imaginable. His site is clean and professional, with a dedicated character rigging page that links to larger projects, making it easy to verify his experience. If you need a rigger who can handle high-pressure, weekly production schedules, Joey's track record speaks for itself.
#4 Ben Barker
A screenshot of the Ben Barker website.
Ben Barker is a technical rigging artist who has worked on major titles like Starfield and Blizzard Cinematics, and his portfolio is a deep dive into procedural rigging pipelines. He's developed in-house tools similar to his open-source Mpyr, and he's used HIK in Maya and Motionbuilder to rig over a hundred creatures for Starfield, including the Aceles. His site breaks down his work into categories like Procedural Rigging, FBX, PyQt, Crowds, Plugins, and Curve Rigging, showing a strong focus on automation and tool development. He's also created mocap loading, animation export, and outsource ingest tools, which are invaluable for large-scale productions. If you're a studio looking to streamline your rigging pipeline or need someone who can build custom tools, Ben's expertise is top-tier. His portfolio is more technical than artistic, but that's exactly what makes him a valuable asset for complex projects.
#5 Everything Universe
A screenshot of the Everything Universe website.
Everything Universe is a platform that aims to automate 3D animation and rigging, allowing you to generate and animate 3D models in moments. It's not a traditional rigging service but rather a tool that uses AI to supercharge production time, making it accessible to creators who might not have deep technical skills. The platform offers a 3D model library, game-ready SDKs, and a 'Generate Anything' and 'Animate Anything' feature, all designed to be user-friendly and budget-friendly. It's a different beast from the individual artists on this list, but it's a sign of where the industry is heading: automation and accessibility. If you're an indie developer or a small team looking to prototype quickly or create assets without hiring a full-time rigger, Everything Universe could be a game-changer. The site is modern and inviting, with a strong emphasis on community and ethical AI practices, which is a nice touch.
How to Choose the Right Rigging Resource
First, consider the style of your project. If you're working in 2D animation, artists like Chloe Peters and Joey Perez are your go-to, but they have different strengths: Chloe is great for creative, educational rigs, while Joey excels in high-volume TV production. For 3D projects, Ben Barker's procedural approach is ideal if you need custom tools and pipelines, but if you're looking for a more traditional freelance rigger, Gonzalo Berrocal's portfolio might be a better fit. If you're on a tight budget or need quick results, Everything Universe's automated platform could save you weeks of work, but you'll sacrifice the fine-tuned control that a human rigger provides. Also, think about the scale of your project: a single character might be fine with a freelancer, but a whole creature army might benefit from a procedural system. Finally, check their portfolios for work similar to your project's style, and don't hesitate to reach out for a quote or a chat.
Automation in Rigging: A Workflow to Consider
For those looking to integrate automation into their rigging process, start by identifying repetitive tasks like skin weighting or control creation. Tools like Ben Barker's open-source Mpyr or Everything Universe's AI-driven platform can handle these tasks, freeing you up for creative decisions. A typical workflow might involve using Everything Universe to generate a base rig, then importing it into Maya or Blender for fine-tuning with custom scripts. You can also use automation for batch processing, like applying the same rig setup to multiple characters, which is a huge time-saver. However, remember that automation isn't a one-size-fits-all solution; it works best when combined with human oversight to ensure quality and artistic intent.
The Bottom Line on Rigging Talent
The rigging landscape in 2026 is rich with options, from the hands-on artistry of freelancers like Gonzalo Berrocal to the automated efficiency of platforms like Everything Universe. Each of these five resources brings something unique to the table, and the right choice depends on your project's specific needs, budget, and timeline. Whether you're a studio looking for a seasoned pro or an indie creator wanting to move fast, there's a rigging solution here for you. Take the time to explore their portfolios, ask questions, and find the partner that best aligns with your creative vision.