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Assistant Set Designer Jobs in Virginia (NOW HIRING)

Sway Creative Labs

Designer

Norfolk, VA · On-site

$55K - $75K/yr

... set creative resource, contributing to visual consistency and art direction * Assist in pre ... We value designers who want to grow across disciplines and who take ownership of their craft. What ...

Sway Creative Labs

Designer

Norfolk, VA

... set creative resource, contributing to visual consistency and art direction * Assist in pre ... We value designers who want to grow across disciplines and who take ownership of their craft. What ...

Swig Life

Print/Surface Designer

Richmond, VA · On-site

$60K - $90K/yr

Review product photography and communicate feedback as needed * Assist with the creation of concept ... This approach is designed to set realistic expectations while providing employees with the ...

HDR

Senior Graphic Designer

Glen Allen, VA · On-site

$60K - $83K/yr

Set overall strategy, vision, and direction, and use interactive design capabilities * Mentor, review projects and assist other designers with projects and programs, and assist with training of ...

HDR

Senior Graphic Designer

Glen Allen, VA

$60K - $83K/yr

Set overall strategy, vision, and direction, and use interactive design capabilities * Mentor, review projects and assist other designers with projects and programs, and assist with training of ...

Dewberry

Civil Designer

Richmond, VA · On-site

$64K - $83K/yr

This position emphasizes design and plan set preparation of a variety of site/civil projects ... Willingness to assist with a wide range of projects and work with multiple project managers. * High ...

Dewberry

Civil Designer

Richmond, VA

$64K - $83K/yr

This position emphasizes design and plan set preparation of a variety of site/civil projects ... Willingness to assist with a wide range of projects and work with multiple project managers. * High ...

Reico

DESIGNER SALES (54065)

Charlottesville, VA · On-site

$18 - $22/hr

This person will be required to generate sales leads, assist with customer walk-ins, and manage ... Inspired to perform well when granted the ability to set your own schedule and goals * Financial:

Reico

DESIGNER SALES (54065)

Charlottesville, VA · On-site

$18 - $22/hr

This person will be required to generate sales leads, assist with customer walk-ins, and manage ... Inspired to perform well when granted the ability to set your own schedule and goals * Financial:

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All JobsSet Designer JobsAssistant Set Designer JobsAssistant Set Designer Jobs in Virginia

Assistant Set Designer information

See Virginia salary details

$10

$24

$38

How much do assistant set designer jobs pay per hour?

As of Jul 22, 2026, the average hourly pay for assistant set designer in Virginia is $24.41, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $19.09 and $28.37 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

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 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 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 does an assistant designer do?

An assistant set designer supports the lead designer in creating and organizing the visual environment for theater, film, or television productions. They help with tasks such as researching design concepts, preparing sketches, sourcing materials, and managing set construction and setup. Strong organizational skills and knowledge of design tools like CAD are often required for this role.

What are Assistant Set Designers?

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 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 does an assistant set designer do?

An assistant set designer supports the lead set designer in creating and building the physical environment for a production, such as theater, film, or television. They help with tasks like researching design concepts, preparing drawings, sourcing materials, and constructing or painting set pieces, often using tools like CAD software. The role requires strong organizational skills and knowledge of set construction processes to ensure the design is executed accurately and efficiently.

What is a design assistant's salary?

A design assistant's salary typically ranges from $30,000 to $60,000 annually, depending on experience, location, and industry. Entry-level positions may start lower, while experienced assistants working in larger productions or prestigious firms can earn higher wages. Skills in design software and a strong portfolio can also influence compensation.

How much does a set designer get paid?

Set designers typically earn between $40,000 and $80,000 annually, depending on experience, location, and the complexity of projects. Entry-level positions may start lower, while experienced designers working on large productions can earn higher salaries. Many set designers also work freelance or contract-based, which can affect income levels.
More about Assistant Set Designer jobs
What cities in Virginia are hiring for Assistant Set Designer jobs? Cities in Virginia with the most Assistant Set Designer job openings:
Assistant Set Designer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Assistant Set Designer job openings in Virginia as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 75% Full Time, 20% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 97% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 2% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $50,783 per year, or $24.4 per hour.
Designer

Designer

Sway Creative Labs

Norfolk, VA • On-site

$55K - $75K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Retirement, PTO

Posted 8 days ago

Job description

Sway Creative Labs is seeking a skilled and well-rounded Designer to join our team. This role is well-suited for someone with proven multi-channel design experience who approaches their work with both craft discipline and creative curiosity. We're looking for a designer who can execute at a high level across a range of mediums and who contributes meaningfully to the ideation process - not just the production end of it.
Strong candidates will have demonstrated fluency in at least three of our core creative disciplines - web, print, brand identity, broadcast, and social - and will bring a portfolio that shows both range and depth.
What You'll Own
Design Execution Across Channels
  • Design on-brand work across web, print, brand identity, and social with accuracy, consistency, and strong attention to craft
  • Contribute to creative concepting and bring original ideas to briefs - not solely executing direction provided by others
  • Collaborate with Art Directors, producers, and developers across all phases of a project

Web & Digital
  • Design responsive digital experiences in Figma with working knowledge of how designs translate to development
  • Produce web assets, display ads, email campaigns, and landing pages to specification
  • Apply foundational UX thinking - visual hierarchy, user flow, clarity - across digital deliverables

Print & Identity
  • Design and prepare print-ready files for collateral, direct mail, out-of-home, and branded materials
  • Contribute to brand identity projects including logo development, typography systems, color palettes, and brand standards documentation
  • Manage production specifications and vendor requirements for print jobs

Broadcast & On-Set
  • Support photo and video productions as an on-set creative resource, contributing to visual consistency and art direction
  • Assist in pre-production visual development including mood boards, reference decks, and frame guides

Social
  • Design social content with an understanding of each platform's native formats, culture, and audience
  • Develop visual assets across Instagram, LinkedIn, Facebook, and other relevant channels
  • Stay current on platform design trends and apply that awareness to day-to-day work

What We're Looking For
Core Qualifications
  • 2-4+ years of design experience in an agency or creative environment
  • A portfolio demonstrating range across at least three disciplines: web, print, identity, broadcast, and/or social
  • Strong proficiency in Figma, including components, auto-layout, and design system fundamentals
  • Proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite: Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign
  • Solid command of design fundamentals: typography, color theory, composition, and visual hierarchy
  • Strong organizational and time-management skills with the ability to manage multiple projects and deadlines simultaneously
  • Clear written and verbal communication skills; comfortable in client-facing situations
  • Occasional travel and on-set availability required

Additional Assets
  • Experience with motion design or animation; working knowledge of After Effects or comparable tools
  • Familiarity with HTML and CSS as a communication bridge with development teams
  • Background working on travel/tourism, food/beverage, healthcare, or entertainment accounts
  • Experience with social scheduling platforms such as Sprout Social, Loomly, or similar

What Success Looks Like
By the end of your first year, you will have taken ownership of projects across multiple disciplines and built a body of agency work that reflects your range. Senior creative team members will actively want to collaborate with you, and leadership will trust your judgment on work that is yours to lead. You will have identified the disciplines where you excel and be on a clear path to deepening that expertise.
Why Sway Creative Labs
Sway is an independent agency where work is seen and recognized by hands-on leadership. You will have the opportunity to work across a wide range of industries and project types - gaining exposure to brand campaigns, digital platforms, print production, social content, and documentary-style video work - often within the same client relationship. We value designers who want to grow across disciplines and who take ownership of their craft.
What We Offer
  • 15 Paid Vacation Days: Days reset at your start date and do not roll over. You'll have the ability to withdraw a negative balance of up to 5 days, and you begin the year with your days already afforded
  • Paid Holidays: Your Birthday, New Year's Day, Martin Luther King Jr. Day, the Monday after the Super Bowl, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Juneteenth, Labor Day, Thanksgiving, Friday after Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, and the week between Christmas Eve and New Year's Day
  • Two-Hour Windows: So long as the privilege is not abused, we offer each employee 2-hour leave windows at the beginning (9am - 11am EST) and end of the workday (3pm - 5pm EST) to tend to any appointments like unexpected child care challenges, doctor's visits, home maintenance, etc. that do not count against your allotted paid time off
  • Health Plan: All employees are eligible to enroll in one of (3) Sentara Health Plans; with Sway covering 80% of employee's cost and 50% of your dependents
  • Dental Insurance: Sway pays 100% of employee's United Concordia Dental Plan
  • Retirement Benefits: Sway's 401(k) policy offers a solid foundation for your retirement planning; we match your contributions at a 1:1 rate for the first 3% of your pay, and then add an extra $0.50 for each dollar you contribute on the following 2% of your pay. Contributions are fully vested immediately.
  • Upskilling Opportunities: As "curiosity of craft" is one of our core values, Sway encourages continued education and skill advancement with 100% reimbursement of at least one approved employee upskilling initiative per year (conferences, courses, certifications, etc.)

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