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Assistant Set Designer Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

... Designer to join the team behind an award-winning digital entertainment brand with more than 50 ... set pieces, costumes, materials, and vendors * Experience managing production assistants or small ...

SIMONMILLER is looking for a detail oriented, hard working Assistant Technical Designer to join our ... Working with cross functional departments to set up files with necessary construction and ...

New

Surface Designer

San Clemente, CA ยท On-site

$55 - $75/hr

Ensure designs are on-brand and aligned with the creative direction set by the leadership team ... * Assist in developing seasonal collections, ensuring alignment with overall brand strategy.

Are you ready to set the standard for Premium apparel? Main purpose of the Assistant Tech Designer role: The Technical Design Assistant will be meticulous with details and driven by the technical ...

Are you ready to set the standard for Premium apparel? Main purpose of the Assistant Tech Designer role: The Technical Design Assistant will be meticulous with details and driven by the technical ...

Assistant Technical Designer

Beverly Hills, CA ยท On-site

$43K - $50K/yr

ROLE OVERVIEW Reporting to the Manager of Technical Design, the Assistant Technical Designer will ... Set up samples in the fit room prior to the fit session, preparing the product for an efficient ...

Designer

Emeryville, CA ยท On-site

Ensure all deadlines are set and met. * Complete drafting of approved plans, elevations and ... Supplier quotes * Assist with subcontractor and supplier communication as needed * Participate in ...

Associate Costume Designer

Los Angeles, CA ยท On-site

$92.30 - $103.32/hr

Responsibilities * Assist in the development and visual styles of costumes alongside the Head of ... mind quality set by department leads * Creative problem solving * Implement feedback promptly ...

Assistant Technical Designer

Beverly Hills, CA ยท On-site

$43K - $50K/yr

ROLE OVERVIEW Reporting to the Manager of Technical Design, the Assistant Technical Designer will ... Set up samples in the fit room prior to the fit session, preparing the product for an efficient ...

Are you ready to set the standard for Premium apparel? Main purpose of the Assistant Tech Designer role: The Technical Design Assistant will be meticulous with details and driven by the technical ...

Interior Technical Designer

San Diego, CA ยท On-site

$70K - $100K/yr

The position will assist in preparing architectural designs and construction documents and serve as ... skill set, regional cost of living, experience, and qualifications. Company Perks and Benefits:

Set design requirements based on briefs from internal teams and external partners * Research ... These tools assist our recruitment team but do not replace human judgment. Final hiring decisions ...

We exist to set the pace of culture through clothing that fits your life-designed for everyday ... Demonstrate a strong understanding of construction, fabric, and product creation * Assist with ...

Product Developer

Beverly Hills, CA ยท On-site

$95K - $115K/yr

We exist to set the pace of culture through clothing that fits your life-designed for everyday ... Demonstrate a strong understanding of construction, fabric, and product creation * Assist with ...

Showing results 21-40

Assistant Set Designer information

See California salary details

$10

$24

$38

How much do assistant set designer jobs pay per hour?

As of Sep 6, 2026, the average hourly pay for assistant set designer in California is $24.30, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $18.99 and $28.22 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is an assistant set designer?

Assistant Set Designers are creative professionals who support the lead set designer in developing and executing the visual appearance of a stage, film, or television production. Their responsibilities typically include creating sketches, building models, sourcing materials, and coordinating with other departments to ensure the set aligns with the director's vision. They often assist with budgeting, scheduling, and logistical tasks to help bring the set from concept to reality. This role requires strong artistic skills, attention to detail, and the ability to work well within a team in a fast-paced environment.

What does an assistant set designer do?

As an assistant set designer, your job is to help design the set for a film, television program, or theatre production. In this role, you may participate in each rehearsal, select art that fits the production, determine when to add or remove material from the stage, and otherwise help to keep things moving. The most important part of this job is selecting and acquiring set pieces on time and within the production budget. Assistant set designers usually work under one or more directors, such as the art director or production designer. You often see this job under a variety of titles, such as assistant art director or production assistant, so be sure to look at the content of each job post instead of just the title.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an assistant set designer, and why are they important?

To thrive as an Assistant Set Designer, you need a strong background in design principles, familiarity with stagecraft, and usually a degree in theater, fine arts, or a related field. Proficiency with design software such as AutoCAD, SketchUp, and Adobe Creative Suite is commonly required, along with knowledge of model building and drafting techniques. Excellent organization, teamwork, and communication skills help coordinate with designers, directors, and production crews. These skills and qualities are essential to ensure the seamless creation and execution of set designs that support the overall vision of a production.

What are some typical challenges faced by assistant set designers during the pre-production phase?

Assistant Set Designers often juggle multiple tasks during pre-production, such as translating the lead designer's vision into practical drafts, sourcing materials within budget constraints, and coordinating with construction teams. Time management can be a challenge, as deadlines are tight and changes from directors or production designers are common. Effective communication and adaptability are crucial, since the role requires collaborating with various departments while ensuring that all set elements meet both creative and safety standards.

What is the difference between Assistant Set Designer vs Set Designer?

AspectAssistant Set DesignerSet Designer
CredentialsRelevant education in theater, design, or architecture; often entry-levelAdvanced experience, portfolio, and sometimes certifications in design
Work EnvironmentAssist in creating and building set designs under supervisionLead the design process, make creative decisions, and oversee construction
Industry UsageCommonly employed in theater, film, and TV production teamsPrimarily responsible for the overall set design in productions

The Assistant Set Designer supports the Set Designer by handling preparatory tasks and assisting with design elements. While the Assistant Set Designer focuses on supporting roles, the Set Designer takes the lead in creating and executing the overall set concept. Both roles are essential in production, with the assistant gaining experience to eventually become a full Set Designer.

What are the most commonly searched types of Set Designer jobs in California?

The most popular types of Set Designer jobs in California are:

What cities in California are hiring for Assistant Set Designer jobs?

Cities in California with the most Assistant Set Designer job openings:

Infographic showing various Assistant Set Designer job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 83% Full Time, 14% Part Time, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 77% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 22% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $50,552 per year, or $24.3 per hour.

Production Designer

YZ Productions

Los Angeles, CA โ€ข On-site

Other

Posted 14 days ago


Job description

Driverโ€™s License and reliable transportation REQUIRED

Prior Digital Media experience STRONGLY PREFERRED

Prior YouTube experience STRONGLY PREFERRED


ABOUT THE ROLE

We are looking for an enthusiastic, creative, and highly resourceful Production Designer to join the team behind an award-winning digital entertainment brand with more than 50 million subscribers across three channels.


Our content is a mix of family-friendly challenges, competitions, transformations, and narrative-driven videos. You will work closely with our creative and production teams to help create some of the highest-performing YouTube content in the world.


This is a very hands-on position. Weโ€™re looking for someone who can take an idea from a creative meeting and figure out how to actually make it happen โ€” whether that means designing a set, sourcing props, dressing a location, making a Home Depot run, finding a fabricator, or solving a problem on set.

No two weeks look exactly the same.


DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

Production Design

  • Turn creative concepts and scripts into sets, environments, props, and practical elements for our videos.
  • Design and set-dress locations for challenge and narrative-driven productions.
  • Work closely with the Creative Director, Producers, and production team to determine what is needed for each shoot.
  • Help determine the visual look and feel of sets while keeping YouTube pacing and camera framing in mind.
  • Make sure sets are fully dressed and camera-ready before filming begins.


Props & Costumes

  • Pull, source, purchase, rent, or build props needed for upcoming videos.
  • Source costumes and wardrobe pieces when required for specific concepts.
  • Manage returns following productions.
  • Maintain and organize existing props, costumes, furniture, and reusable production assets.
  • Look for opportunities to reuse or repurpose existing materials before purchasing new items.


Art Department Production

  • Handle art department production runs and last-minute sourcing when necessary.
  • Coordinate with vendors, prop houses, rental companies, fabricators, and other outside resources.
  • Help manage builds and installations for larger production concepts.
  • Troubleshoot problems quickly when creative concepts change or unexpected issues arise.


Crew & Shoot Support

  • Source and coordinate Production Assistants and additional art department support as needed for weekly productions.
  • Make sure the appropriate crew is scheduled based on the size and complexity of each shoot.
  • Oversee setup, set dressing, resets, and strike.
  • Keep the art department organized and running efficiently throughout production.


Budget & Organization

  • Work within approved art department budgets for each video.
  • Track purchases, rentals, returns, and production expenses.
  • Keep production spaces, props, materials, and inventory organized.
  • Maintain relationships with reliable vendors and production resources.
  • Help build systems that allow the department to prepare for multiple videos at the same time.


WHO WE'RE LOOKING FOR

Weโ€™re looking for someone who is:

  • Creative and visually driven
  • Extremely resourceful and a strong problem solver
  • Comfortable working under fast production timelines
  • Highly organized
  • Able to manage multiple upcoming shoots simultaneously
  • Comfortable sourcing, shopping, building, organizing, and being physically present on set
  • Able to communicate clearly with creative and production teams
  • Comfortable managing PAs, freelancers, vendors, and outside resources
  • Excited about YouTube and digital-first entertainment
  • Interested in growing with the company and taking on more responsibility over time


EXPERIENCE

  • Previous production design, art department, set dressing, or similar production experience preferred
  • Digital media experience strongly preferred
  • YouTube production experience strongly preferred
  • Experience with fast-paced unscripted, competition, challenge, or narrative content is a plus
  • Experience sourcing props, set pieces, costumes, materials, and vendors
  • Experience managing production assistants or small art department teams is a plus


REQUIREMENTS

  • Valid Driverโ€™s License
  • Reliable transportation
  • Ability to work in-person in the Northridge/Los Angeles area
  • Ability to travel locally for production runs, sourcing, and shoots
  • Flexibility with production schedules and shoot days
  • Comfortable working in a fast-moving environment where priorities can change quickly


THE RIGHT PERSON

This isn't a position for someone who wants to sit behind a desk and only design.

We want someone who can hear:

โ€œWe need to turn this room into a secret underground bunker by Friday.โ€

โ€ฆand immediately start figuring out how we're going to pull it off.

If you're creative, organized, resourceful, and excited by the challenge of making ambitious ideas happen quickly, we'd love to hear from you.