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Background Designer Jobs in Washington (NOW HIRING)

Chainbridge Solutions

Space Designer

Germantown, MD

... Space Designer working onsite at the Department of Energy (DOE) in their Washington DC office as ... US Citizenship required, preferably with a prior Federal background investigation * Willing to be ...

Rumble

Brand Designer

Washington, DC

Rumble is seeking a Brand Designer to create bold, high-impact visual work across our brand ... Agency background or experience supporting multiple brands, campaigns, or audiences in parallel.

Working America Associa

Graphic Designer

Washington, DC · On-site

$74K/yr

Graphic Designer At Working America, we believe in the power of collective action. Our mission is ... background in, or strong familiarity with, the labor movement, movements for progressive social ...

Howard Community College

Learning Designer

Columbia, MD · On-site

$35/hr

Pre-employment criminal background investigation is a condition of employment. HCC is interested in all qualified applicants who are eligible to work in the United States. However, HCC will generally ...

Blue Star

Lead Designer

Washington, DC · On-site

$85K - $95K/yr

Lead Designer Blue Star Washington, DC | Full-Time | Onsite Blue Star is seeking an experienced and ... design background and understands how high-end residential projects are actually built.

Blue Star

Lead Designer

Washington, DC · On-site

$85K - $95K/yr

Lead Designer Blue Star Washington, DC | Full-Time | Onsite Blue Star is seeking an experienced and ... design background and understands how high-end residential projects are actually built.

Blue Star

Lead Designer

Washington, DC · On-site

$85K - $95K/yr

Lead Designer Blue Star Washington, DC | Full-Time | Onsite Blue Star is seeking an experienced and ... design background and understands how high-end residential projects are actually built.

Actalent

Architectural Designer

Mclean, VA

$75K - $85K/yr

Architectural Designer Join a growing, highly collaborative architecture group within an ... Background in commercial construction and familiarity with the construction process. * Ability to ...

E Logic

Senior Graphic Designer

Washington, DC · Remote

$128K/yr

E-Logic is seeking a Senior Graphic Designer to support the U.S. General Services Administration ... Security Requirements Must be able to meet all applicable federal background investigation ...

Esri

Sr. Instructional Designer

Vienna, VA

$65K - $88K/yr

You will be part of the innovative team responsible for designing, developing, and updating ... Background documenting workflows, processes, or systems for scalable learning Portfolio Submission:

Agile Defense

Graphic Designer

Washington, DC

$90K - $95K/yr

Graphic Designer Location: Washington, D.C. We are looking for an experienced graphic designer to ... Good useof negative space Education and Background * Degree in graphic design or related field.

Actalent

Architectural Designer

Mclean, VA

$75K - $85K/yr

Architectural Designer Join a growing, highly collaborative architecture group within an ... Background in commercial construction and familiarity with the construction process. * Ability to ...

HDR

Designer, Interiors

Arlington, VA · On-site

$23.50 - $28.75/hr

HDR is seeking a Designer, Interiors, to join our growing team and continue the legacy of providing ... This position is also subject to a governmental background check. Preferred Qualifications

HDR

Designer, Interiors

Arlington, VA · On-site

$23.50 - $28.75/hr

HDR is seeking a Designer, Interiors, to join our growing team and continue the legacy of providing ... This position is also subject to a governmental background check. Preferred Qualifications

HDR

Designer, Interiors

Arlington, VA

$23.50 - $28.75/hr

HDR is seeking a Designer, Interiors, to join our growing team and continue the legacy of providing ... This position is also subject to a governmental background check. Preferred Qualifications

Circle

Lead Product Designer

Washington, DC · On-site

$172K - $225K/yr

We are looking for a Lead Product Designer to join our Identity Team. This is a horizontal platform ... We are looking for someone with a strong background in Visual and UI design who can bring a level ...

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Showing results 21-40

All JobsBackground Designer JobsBackground Designer Jobs in Washington

Background Designer information

See Washington salary details

$40.2K

$94.2K

$124.6K

How much do background designer jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 16, 2026, the average yearly pay for background designer in Washington is $94,173.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $65,700.00 and $123,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does a background designer do?

A background designer creates the visual environments and settings for animations, films, or video games. They develop detailed backgrounds that establish mood, setting, and atmosphere, often using digital tools like Photoshop or Illustrator. Their work supports storytelling by providing immersive and consistent visual contexts for characters and scenes.

What is the difference between Background Designer vs Environment Artist?

AspectBackground DesignerEnvironment Artist
Required SkillsConcept art, 2D/3D design, illustration3D modeling, texturing, scene creation
Work EnvironmentFilm, animation, video gamesVideo game development, film, VR
Common CertificationsArt or design degrees, portfolio3D modeling certifications, portfolio

Background Designers focus on creating visual backgrounds and environments primarily for animation, film, and 2D projects, emphasizing illustration and concept art. Environment Artists typically work in 3D space, building detailed, immersive environments for video games and films. While both roles require strong artistic skills, Background Designers lean more toward 2D art and concept design, whereas Environment Artists specialize in 3D modeling and scene construction.

How does a background designer typically collaborate with animators and other artists during a production?

Background Designers work closely with animators, layout artists, and art directors to ensure that environments support the story and visual style of a project. Communication is key, as designers must adapt their work based on feedback and evolving animation needs. It’s common to participate in regular team meetings, share progress, and make revisions, ensuring backgrounds integrate seamlessly with character animation and overall scene composition. This collaborative environment helps maintain consistency and enhances the visual storytelling of the production.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a background designer, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Background Designer, you need strong drawing skills, a solid understanding of perspective and composition, and often a degree in art, illustration, or animation. Familiarity with digital painting software such as Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, and sometimes 3D modeling tools is typically required. Creativity, attention to detail, and the ability to collaborate effectively with other artists and directors are crucial soft skills. These abilities ensure that visual environments enhance storytelling and meet the artistic vision of animation or gaming projects.

What is a background designer?

Background designers are artists responsible for creating the visual environments and settings in animation, film, video games, and other media productions. They design and illustrate the scenery, such as landscapes, interiors, and exteriors, that characters interact with. Their work helps establish the mood, style, and atmosphere of a scene, supporting the storytelling by providing context and depth. Background designers often collaborate closely with art directors, layout artists, and other team members to ensure their backgrounds fit seamlessly into the overall visual style of the project.

What are the most commonly searched types of Background Designer jobs in Washington?

The most popular types of Background Designer jobs in Washington are:

What are popular job titles related to Background Designer jobs in Washington?

For Background Designer jobs in Washington, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Background Designer jobs in Washington look for?

The top searched job categories for Background Designer jobs in Washington are:

Background Designer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Background Designer job openings in Washington as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 71% Full Time, 26% Part Time, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 95% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 4% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $94,173 per year, or $45.3 per hour.

Space Designer

Chainbridge Solutions

Germantown, MD

Full-time

Re-posted 21 days ago

Job description

Description
Chainbridge Solutions Inc. is seeking an energetic and highly motivated individual to join us as a Space Designer working onsite at the Department of Energy (DOE) in their Washington DC office as well as their Germantown, MD office.  There is no option to work remote as this position requires onsite presence 5 days a week, predominantly at the Germantown location.
 
The successful candidate will coordinate all assigned projects related to space planning, design, alterations, and buildouts in DOE’s facilities within the National Capital Region. They will be responsible for supporting the complete lifecycle of building projects, including design, procurement, award, kickoff, execution and monitoring, inspection, and close-out. This individual will also serve as a key point of contact for stakeholders throughout DOE, presenting design alternatives before project approval and keeping them updated during project execution.  

Key Responsibilities
  • Provide design alternatives, recommendations, and cost estimates.  
  • Update Customer and Space Planning Manager on all assigned projects. 
  • Use AutoCAD to develop professional space diagrams for engineering review. 
  • Review materials samples and provide complete design recommendations based on customer design standards or aesthetic direction. 
  • Work closely with government management to provide daily update on project progress, issues, and risks that may impact the overall success of a project.  
  • Develop project estimates based on existing contract costs and prior experience. Review contractor estimates for potential errors.  
  • Enter procurement requests into DOE’s procurement system. Monitor progress on each request in order to update schedule status or escalate problems.  
  • Identify project stakeholders, federal and contractor, and manage communications, reporting, and status updates.  
  • Establish routine meeting schedules where necessary to enable regular updating of project progress.  

Skills, Knowledge and Expertise
  • H.S. diploma or equivalent. Bachelor’s degree in business or engineering preferred. 
  • 2+ years’ experience in facilities-related design.   
  • Skilled in AutoCAD. 
  • Excellent verbal and written communication skills, along with experience communicating directly with customers in high-pressure environments.  
  • US Citizenship required, preferably with a prior Federal background investigation
  • Willing to be processed for a Public Trust Clearance
 Physical Requirements:  
  • Frequently remain in a stationary position, often standing or sitting for prolonged periods of time looking at a computer screen 
  • Walking through the client building occasionally to survey the building and provide updates. 
  • Continuous verbal and written communication with others to exchange information. 
  • Continuous repetitive movements that may include the wrists, hands, and/or fingers. 
  • Comprehension - Must continuously be able to understand direction and adhere to established procedures. 
  • Organization - Must continuously be able to gather and classify information. 
  • Reasoning and Decision Making - Must continuously use logic to analyze and interpret information and prioritize.