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Freelance Set Designer Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

... all set there. Here's the final version confirmed: At AKQA (part of WPP) we believe in the ... We are seeking a Freelance Senior Designer with a strong brand design background to help create ...

New

The Freelance Graphic Designer will work closely with Saylor's Art Directors and Design Lead to ... You will work across platforms, art styles, and a diverse set of client needs. We are looking for a ...

Position Overview As a Freelance Art Director at Saylor, you will lead the visual and creative ... Innovate and set the standard for RFP presentations and project designs, pushing the boundaries of ...

Position Overview As a Freelance Art Director at Saylor, you will lead the visual and creative ... Innovate and set the standard for RFP presentations and project designs, pushing the boundaries of ...

When needed, brief, hire, and steer external design and video agencies and freelancers. Set the ... Mentor more junior designers as the team grows. What You'll Bring * Experience: 6+ years of brand ...

Senior Brand Designer

Palo Alto, CA · On-site

$150 - $190/hr

When needed, brief, hire, and steer external design and video agencies and freelancers. Set the ... Mentor more junior designers as the team grows.**What You'll Bring*** Experience: 6+ years of brand ...

When needed, brief, hire, and steer external design and video agencies and freelancers. Set the ... Mentor more junior designers as the team grows. What You'll Bring * Experience: 6+ years of brand ...

When needed, brief, hire, and steer external design and video agencies and freelancers. Set the ... Mentor more junior designers as the team grows. What You'll Bring * Experience: 6+ years of brand ...

When needed, brief, hire, and steer external design and video agencies and freelancers. Set the ... Mentor more junior designers as the team grows. What You'll Bring * Experience: 6+ years of brand ...

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Freelance Set Designer information

What does a freelance set designer do?

A freelance set designer is responsible for creating the visual environment for theater, film, television, or live event productions. They work independently, collaborating with directors and other creatives to design and build sets that enhance the storytelling and mood. Their tasks include sketching concepts, selecting materials, and overseeing the construction and installation of sets. Freelance set designers often manage multiple projects, negotiate contracts, and adapt their designs to fit various budgets and spaces.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a freelance set designer?

To thrive as a Freelance Set Designer, you need a solid background in design principles, spatial awareness, and often a degree in theater design, fine arts, or a related field. Proficiency with CAD software, 3D modeling tools, and familiarity with construction materials and stagecraft techniques are typically required. Creativity, strong communication, adaptability, and time management are essential soft skills for collaborating with directors, producers, and crew under tight deadlines. These skills and qualities are crucial to delivering visually compelling and functional sets that meet both artistic vision and practical needs.

How does a freelance set designer typically collaborate with directors and other creative team members during a production?

Freelance set designers work closely with directors, costume designers, lighting designers, and other creative professionals to bring a production’s vision to life. Collaboration usually starts in pre-production meetings where ideas and concepts are discussed, followed by sharing sketches, models, or digital renderings for feedback. Throughout the process, set designers must adapt their designs based on input from the team and practical constraints like budget and space. Clear communication and flexibility are key, as revisions are common and teamwork ensures the final set supports the overall production goals.

What is the difference between Freelance Set Designer vs Stage Designer?

AspectFreelance Set DesignerStage Designer
CredentialsPortfolio, relevant design experience, possibly certifications in design or theaterSimilar credentials, often with additional theater-specific training
Work EnvironmentIndependent projects, varied locations, freelance basisTheater productions, stage settings, often in theaters or studios
Employer & IndustryClients, production companies, theaters on a project basisTheater companies, production houses, often within the performing arts industry
Search & Comparison IntentLooking for freelance opportunities or project-based workSeeking stage design roles within theater productions

Both Freelance Set Designers and Stage Designers require a strong background in design and theater. Freelance Set Designers typically work independently on various projects, while Stage Designers are often employed by theaters or production companies. The roles overlap in skills and credentials but differ mainly in work setting and employment structure.

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 are popular job titles related to Freelance Set Designer jobs in California?

For Freelance Set Designer jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:

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

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

Infographic showing various Freelance Set Designer job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 57% Full Time, 23% Part Time, and 20% Contract. Highlights an 70% In-person, 10% Hybrid, and 20% Remote job distribution.

Senior Designer - Freelance

AKQA

San Francisco, CA • On-site

Full-time

Posted 2 days ago

New


Job description

At AKQA (part of WPP) we believe in the imaginative application of art and science to create beautiful ideas, products and services. With an entrepreneurial and collaborative approach, we design adaptive digital services and applications that capture the imagination, delivering impressive returns for our clients.

Designers at AKQA approach every brief with fresh eyes and insight, from which they form original ideas and expressions. Through every moment of the creative process they are passionate and thoughtful about their craft. The most exciting of them pair strong brand design instincts with a fluency in social, creating content that feels native to the platforms it lives on.

We are seeking a Freelance Senior Designer with a strong brand design background to help create social deliverables for one of the most iconic apparel brands in the world. Given the nature of social, exact deliverables are always evolving, but you will be creating a steady stream of social content built for platforms like TikTok and Instagram. This is a role for a conceptual, brand-minded designer who can move quickly and craft work that resonates natively across social. This is a freelance role from ASAP (latest start September 8) through October 2, 2026.

ROLE REQUIREMENTS

  • Create social-first deliverables for platforms like TikTok and Instagram, bringing strong brand design craft to every piece
  • Bring a brand and production focus to the work, translating brand systems into content that feels native to social
  • Move quickly and adapt to evolving deliverables, staying nimble as social needs shift
  • Develop compelling ideas and bring them to life across a range of social formats and placements
  • Collaborate closely with the existing creative team to support incremental work on the account
  • Maintain a consistently high aesthetic bar across a high volume of social content

QUALITIES AND CHARACTERISTICS

  • A compelling portfolio demonstrating strong brand design and social content, ideally with conceptual and social-first work
  • Proven experience in brand design, with the craft and instincts to work across logo, typography, color, and visual systems
  • Comfortable working in Google Suite and Photoshop and/or Figma
  • Experience shooting stills and video, as well as editing and retouching, is an added bonus but not a requirement (if editing, familiarity with Adobe Premiere and/or DaVinci Resolve)
  • Fast, resourceful, and comfortable with evolving deliverables in a fast-moving social environment
  • Strong communication skills, with the ability to collaborate across creative and cross-disciplinary teams
  • Enthusiasm, passion, and ongoing curiosity for brand and social craft

Location & Commitment

  • Remote
  • ASAP (latest start September 8) through October 2, 2026
  • 40 hours/week
  • Expected weekly compensation: 3,600 to 4,000 USD

A couple of notes:

  • I calculated the weekly compensation (3,600-4,000 USD) from your approved salary band of 90-100/hr at 40 hours/week - let me know if you'd rather express it as an hourly rate instead.
  • I noticed a date discrepancy: your role notes say "ASAP (latest Sept 8) to Oct 2," while the Job Info page lists a start of August 24 (and the Greenhouse open date is 8/19). I went with your role notes (ASAP, latest Sept 8). Just confirm which start framing you'd like.
 
we need it to be october 2nd.
 
 

The end date is already set to October 2, 2026 in the JD - so you're all set there. Here's the final version confirmed:


At AKQA (part of WPP) we believe in the imaginative application of art and science to create beautiful ideas, products and services. With an entrepreneurial and collaborative approach, we design adaptive digital services and applications that capture the imagination, delivering impressive returns for our clients.

Designers at AKQA approach every brief with fresh eyes and insight, from which they form original ideas and expressions. Through every moment of the creative process they are passionate and thoughtful about their craft. The most exciting of them pair strong brand design instincts with a fluency in social, creating content that feels native to the platforms it lives on.

We are seeking a Freelance Senior Designer with a strong brand design background to help create social deliverables for one of the most iconic apparel brands in the world. Given the nature of social, exact deliverables are always evolving, but you will be creating a steady stream of social content built for platforms like TikTok and Instagram. This is a role for a conceptual, brand-minded designer who can move quickly and craft work that resonates natively across social. This is a freelance role from ASAP (latest start September 8) through October 2, 2026.

ROLE REQUIREMENTS

  • Create social-first deliverables for platforms like TikTok and Instagram, bringing strong brand design craft to every piece
  • Bring a brand and production focus to the work, translating brand systems into content that feels native to social
  • Move quickly and adapt to evolving deliverables, staying nimble as social needs shift
  • Develop compelling ideas and bring them to life across a range of social formats and placements
  • Collaborate closely with the existing creative team to support incremental work on the account
  • Maintain a consistently high aesthetic bar across a high volume of social content

QUALITIES AND CHARACTERISTICS

  • A compelling portfolio demonstrating strong brand design and social content, ideally with conceptual and social-first work
  • Proven experience in brand design, with the craft and instincts to work across logo, typography, color, and visual systems
  • Comfortable working in Google Suite and Photoshop and/or Figma
  • Experience shooting stills and video, as well as editing and retouching, is an added bonus but not a requirement (if editing, familiarity with Adobe Premiere and/or DaVinci Resolve)
  • Fast, resourceful, and comfortable with evolving deliverables in a fast-moving social environment
  • Strong communication skills, with the ability to collaborate across creative and cross-disciplinary teams
  • Enthusiasm, passion, and ongoing curiosity for brand and social craft

Location & Commitment

  • Remote
  • ASAP through October 2, 2026
  • 40 hours/week
  • Expected weekly compensation: 3,600 to 4,000 USD