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Narrative Designer Jobs in Berkeley, CA (NOW HIRING)

Formal

Founding Designer

San Francisco, CA · On-site

... brand narrative. * Craft Visuals: Create engaging visuals and dynamic content for marketing ... Standout portfolio showcasing UI/UX designs, marketing assets, and brand design * Ability to fully ...

2K

Senior Level Designer

Novato, CA · On-site

$100K - $148K/yr

As a Senior Level Designer at Cloud Chamber, you will be responsible for blocking out the world and crafting the player experience within the stunning narrative experience and systems-driven world of ...

2K

Senior Level Designer

Novato, CA

$100K - $148K/yr

As a Senior Level Designer at Cloud Chamber, you will be responsible for blocking out the world and crafting the player experience within the stunning narrative experience and systems-driven world of ...

Cloud Chamber

Senior Level Designer

Novato, CA · On-site

$100K - $148K/yr

As a Senior Level Designer at Cloud Chamber, you will be responsible for blocking out the world and crafting the player experience within the stunning narrative experience and systems-driven world of ...

Cloud Chamber

Senior Level Designer

Novato, CA · On-site

$100K - $148K/yr

As a Senior Level Designer at Cloud Chamber, you will be responsible for blocking out the world and crafting the player experience within the stunning narrative experience and systems-driven world of ...

Clera

Fractional Founding Designer

San Francisco, CA · On-site

You will be the first designer, owning the look, feel, and standards of the product from the ground ... A portfolio that shows shipped products with a clear problem-solving or before/after narrative.

Clera

Fractional Founding Designer

San Francisco, CA · On-site

You will be the first designer, owning the look, feel, and standards of the product from the ground ... A portfolio that shows shipped products with a clear problem-solving or before/after narrative.

UNAVAILABLE

Sr. Brand Designer, Events

San Francisco, CA · On-site

$150 - $200/hr

What you'll do The Sr. Brand Designer, Events will be a core member of Docusign's Brand & Creative ... Concept and design swag, premium items, and small-scale activations that extend the event narrative ...

DocuSign

Sr. Brand Designer, Events

San Francisco, CA · Hybrid

What you'll do The Sr. Brand Designer, Events will be a core member of Docusign's Brand & Creative ... Concept and design swag, premium items, and small-scale activations that extend the event narrative ...

Docusign

Sr. Brand Designer, Events

San Francisco, CA · On-site

What you'll do The Sr. Brand Designer, Events will be a core member of Docusign's Brand & Creative ... Concept and design swag, premium items, and small-scale activations that extend the event narrative ...

DocuSign, Inc.

Sr. Brand Designer, Events

San Francisco, CA · On-site

$150 - $200/hr

What you'll do The Sr. Brand Designer, Events will be a core member of Docusign's Brand & Creative ... Concept and design swag, premium items, and small-scale activations that extend the event narrative ...

Jam City Inc

Senior UI/UX Designer

San Francisco, CA · On-site

$100 - $125/hr

Provide cohesive UI design spanning the full player experience - from narrative gameplay and puzzle ... experience designing UI/UX for mobile games * Solid understanding of user-centered design ...

Jam City

Senior UI/UX Designer

San Francisco, CA

... UI/UX Designer to bring their expert game UI/UX skills to help build a new game within our ... Provide cohesive UI design spanning the full player experience - from narrative gameplay and puzzle ...

Jam City

Senior UI/UX Designer

San Francisco, CA · On-site

... UI/UX Designer to bring their expert game UI/UX skills to help build a new game within our ... Provide cohesive UI design spanning the full player experience - from narrative gameplay and puzzle ...

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All JobsNarrative Designer JobsNarrative Designer Jobs in Berkeley, CA

Narrative Designer information

See Berkeley, CA salary details

$43.5K

$101.8K

$134.7K

How much do narrative designer jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 8, 2026, the average yearly pay for narrative designer in Berkeley, CA is $101,810.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $71,000.00 and $133,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a narrative designer?

A Narrative Designer is responsible for shaping the story, dialogue, and overall storytelling experience in a game. They collaborate with writers, game designers, and other developers to ensure that narrative elements integrate seamlessly with gameplay. Unlike traditional writers, they focus on how story interacts with mechanics, level design, and player choices. Their work involves character development, world-building, and ensuring consistency in the game's narrative structure.

What skills and qualifications are needed to thrive as a narrative designer?

To thrive as a Narrative Designer, you need a strong background in creative writing, storytelling, and an understanding of narrative techniques, often supported by a degree in writing, game design, or a related field. Familiarity with interactive scripting tools, branching dialogue systems, and game engines such as Unity or Unreal Engine is typically required. Collaboration, adaptability, and excellent communication skills are vital for working with multidisciplinary teams and incorporating feedback. These skills ensure the creation of compelling, player-centric narratives and smooth integration of story elements within interactive media.

What are common collaborative responsibilities for a narrative designer within a game development team?

Narrative Designers regularly work alongside game designers, artists, and programmers to ensure that story elements align with gameplay mechanics and visual storytelling. They often participate in brainstorming sessions, review narrative implementation in-game, and revise scripts based on team feedback. Effective cross-department collaboration is key, as the narrative must support and enhance the overall player experience while fitting technical and design limitations. This collaborative environment requires strong communication and a willingness to iterate on ideas based on input from various team members.

How much are narrative designers paid?

Narrative designers typically earn between $50,000 and $100,000 annually, depending on experience, location, and the complexity of projects. Senior or specialized narrative designers with industry experience can earn higher salaries, often exceeding $100,000. Compensation may also include benefits such as bonuses, royalties, or profit sharing, especially in larger studios or successful projects.

How to get into narrative designer?

To become a narrative designer, develop strong storytelling skills, a background in writing or game design, and proficiency with tools like Twine or Ink. Building a portfolio of writing samples and gaining experience through internships or indie projects can also help entry into the field.

What job categories do people searching Narrative Designer jobs in Berkeley, CA look for?

The top searched job categories for Narrative Designer jobs in Berkeley, CA are:

What cities near Berkeley, CA are hiring for Narrative Designer jobs?

Cities near Berkeley, CA with the most Narrative Designer job openings:

Narrative Designer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Narrative Designer job openings in Berkeley, CA as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 80% Full Time, 13% Part Time, 1% Temporary, 5% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 86% Physical, 5% Hybrid, and 9% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $101,810 per year, or $48.9 per hour.

Narrative Designer Jam City

Montserrat College-Art Gallery

San Francisco, CA • On-site

$100 - $125/hr

Other

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 6 days ago

Key responsibilities

  • Structure and write story pitches, outlines, character-driven scenes with substantial dialogue, and ancillary copy within tight deadlines, owning the process from concept to final product

  • Communicate the narrative vision of the game's Lead Designers verbally and in writing, across internal departments and with external brand partners

  • Help shape high-level overarching stories for upcoming features, events, and/or large content releases

Job description

As a leading mobile games developer, Jam City is looking to “level up” our talent. We’re on the hunt for innovators who consider themselves dynamic, collaborative and thrive in a fast-paced environment.

PERKS & BENEFITS
  • Unlimited Vacation, Paid Sick Days, Kin Care & Holidays*
  • 100% Covered Medical and Company-Sponsored Dental & Vision (Plans Vary)*
  • Life Insurance, 401k, Flexible Spending Accounts, & More*
  • Wellness Activities & Programs
  • 12 Weeks Paid Parental Leave*
  • Happy Hours
  • Company Events
  • *Only applies to full-time positions.

We are looking for an experienced Narrative Designer to bring their expert writing and game design skills to our hit mobile game Harry Potter: Hogwarts Mystery. You’ll have the opportunity to collaborate with top industry talent and take ownership in the narrative process from initial concept to final product. If you’re a storytelling specialist looking for a role that offers fun creative challenges, we want to hear from you.

Qualified applicants will be asked to complete a Harry Potter Narrative Design/Writing test.

*Please note this role sits in our San Francisco office 5x week. All applicants must be in the bay area, or willing to relocate. Thank you!

RESPONSIBILITIES
  • Structure and write story pitches, outlines, character-driven scenes with substantial dialogue, and ancillary copy within tight deadlines, owning the process from concept to final product
  • Communicate the narrative vision of the game’s Lead Designers verbally and in writing, across internal departments and with external brand partners
  • Help shape high-level overarching stories for upcoming features, events, and/or large content releases
  • Proactively contribute in brainstorming sessions by pitching ideas for researched on-brand story arcs and quests within limited art and design scopeIntegrate inventive writing with design to support both creative and monetization objectives
  • Work directly with Product, Design, Production, Art, and Animation to coordinate all facets of Narrative with F2P mobile business goalsInnovate with high accuracy across multiple iterations, addressing feedback, incorporating notes, and executing revisions from internal teams and external partners
QUALIFICATIONS
  • 3+ years Narrative Design and Game Writing experience, or equivalent
  • Experience scripting dialogue for large casts of original and canon characters
  • Experience structuring and tracking multiple branching storylines
  • General knowledge of F2P mobile game design pipelines and current market trends
  • Ability to efficiently juggle multiple responsibilities without compromising creative quality
  • Ability to self-prioritize assignments in a rapidly shifting, fast-paced creative environment
  • Exceptional proofreading and copyediting skills
  • Outstanding written and interpersonal communication skills
NICE TO HAVE
  • Knowledge of Harry Potter brand and canon
  • Serialized storytelling and screenwriting experience
  • Live Ops experience
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