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Freelance Set Designer Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Arena Club

Junior 3D Motion Designer

Los Angeles, CA

$55K - $85K/yr

Support the 3D Motion Designer on larger campaigns through set dressing, lookdev passes, render ... Personal, freelance, and student work is welcome * Working knowledge of Photoshop and Illustrator ...

New

Arena Club

Junior 3D Motion Designer

Los Angeles, CA · On-site

$55K - $85K/yr

Support the 3D Motion Designer on larger campaigns through set dressing, lookdev passes, render ... Personal, freelance, and student work is welcome * Working knowledge of Photoshop and Illustrator ...

Golden Pet Brands

Production Designer

Burbank, CA · On-site +1

Set Decoration & Construction * Design, source, build, and dress sets for studio and on-location ... Experience working with vendors, rental houses, and freelance crew to support production design ...

YZ Productions

Production Designer

Los Angeles, CA · On-site

Design and set-dress locations for challenge and narrative-driven productions. * Work closely with ... Comfortable managing PAs, freelancers, vendors, and outside resources * Excited about YouTube and ...

In-Shape Solutions LLC

Sr Creative Designer

Orangevale, CA · On-site

$80K - $95K/yr

... set art direction and creative support, asset selection, and post-production. * Take creative ... freelancers, agencies, and promotional vendors, to ensure quality, consistency, schedules, and ...

PacSun

Designer - Women's Graphics (Apparel)

Anaheim, CA · On-site

$80K - $93K/yr

Assists and organizes any outside freelance graphic help when needed. * In conjunction with the ... Set high creative standards for our merchandise with constant graphic direction. * Work in tandem ...

Nooks

Brand Design Lead

San Francisco, CA · On-site

We design AI agents that operate across the full sales action set, from account strategy to ... Build a trusted network of agencies, freelancers, illustrators, motion designers, photographers ...

Nooks

Brand Design Lead

San Francisco, CA · On-site

$120 - $180/hr

We design AI agents that operate across the full sales action set, from account strategy to ... Build a trusted network of agencies, freelancers, illustrators, motion designers, photographers ...

Blue State

Contract UX Designer (Evergreen)

Oakland, CA · On-site

$85 - $110/hr

Blue State, a creative strategy and tech agency, seeks a remote freelance UX designer and ... Even if you don't think your current skill set checks every box below, but this role seems to align ...

True Anomaly

UI Designer

Long Beach, CA · On-site

$115K - $165K/yr

The interfaces you help build here will set the standard for how a critical industry empowers the ... freelance are all good backgrounds for this role * We work in Figma for UI with Adobe Creative ...

Socket.dev

UI Designer

Long Beach, CA · On-site

$115 - $165/hr

The interfaces you help build here will set the standard for how a critical industry empowers the ... freelance are all good backgrounds for this role * We work in Figma for UI with Adobe Creative ...

New

Checkr

Sr. Designer, Motion Graphics

San Francisco, CA · On-site

$111K - $130K/yr

Experience developing motion/brand standards and directing contractor or freelance creative work ... diverse set of perspectives and lived experiences. Checkr believes in hiring people of all ...

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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 job categories do people searching Freelance Set Designer jobs in California look for?

The top searched job categories for Freelance Set Designer jobs in California are:

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

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

Freelance Set Designer jobs near you
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.

Junior 3D Motion Designer

Arena Club

Los Angeles, CA

$55K - $85K/yr

Full-time

Posted 3 days ago

New

Job description

About Arena Club

Arena Club is building the number one digital marketplace for collectibles. We started by reinventing the hobby with the first-ever digital card show, and we are expanding into new categories so collectors can buy, sell, grade, and showcase everything they care about in one place. Our 'Slab Pack' product brought the mystery and chase of opening physical packs of cards to a digital format, and has led to Arena Club being one of the fastest-growing (and highly profitable) companies in Los Angeles. Our business was founded by 5x World Series Champion Derek Jeter and serial entrepreneur Brian Lee, who previously founded LegalZoom and The Honest Company, both of which are now public companies. 

About The Role

We're looking for a Junior 3D Designer to help us scale the volume of 3D work coming out of the design team. You'll work alongside our 3D Motion Designer, owning the day-to-day 3D assets that power our paid ads, social, email, and print collateral, the work that keeps the brand in market every week.

This is a craft role with room to grow. You won't be handed the flagship campaign on day one, but you will own real production work that ships, and you'll learn the full pipeline on a brand that treats 3D as a core part of how collectibles get experienced.

What You Will Do
  • Build and render 3D assets in Cinema 4D for paid social, display advertising, email, landing pages, and print collateral
  • Own the full pipeline on smaller assets: modeling, texturing, lighting, rendering, and export
  • Adapt existing scenes and templates into new sizes, formats, and variations quickly and cleanly
  • Produce short loops and product moments (card reveals, pack drops, product turns) for social and email
  • Support the 3D Motion Designer on larger campaigns through set dressing, lookdev passes, render wrangling, and versioning
  • Maintain the 3D asset library, including scene files, textures, materials, and naming conventions, so the team can work efficiently
  • Incorporate feedback from the design team into fast, accurate revisions
Qualifications
  • 1 to 2 years of professional or freelance experience with Cinema 4D as your primary tool
  • A portfolio demonstrating modeling, texturing, lighting, and rendering. Personal, freelance, and student work is welcome
  • Working knowledge of Photoshop and Illustrator, with experience preparing files for both digital and print
  • Strong fundamentals in composition, typography, and color, with attention to detail that holds up at small sizes
  • Ability to deliver high volumes of work on deadline without compromising quality
  • Receptive to feedback, quick to apply it, and comfortable asking questions
Preferred Qualifications
  • Experience with Redshift or Octane
  • Working knowledge of After Effects for simple motion and compositing
  • Familiarity with print production, including bleeds, CMYK, and press-ready files
  • Background in or genuine passion for sports, collectibles, gaming, or culture-driven brands

The base salary range listed is a guideline. Actual compensation is determined based on skills, experience, and the impact you bring. Total compensation includes base salary, bonus, and equity.

Salary Range
$55,000—$85,000 USD