Production Designer

Academy of Art University; San Francisco (CA); On-site; USD 41,328 - 48,216; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

401k options

Paid vacation and holidays

Tuition-free undergraduate course per semester

Job summary

A prestigious university in San Francisco is seeking a Production Designer to oversee creative design and set dressing for sound stages. The ideal candidate will collaborate closely with faculty and students, ensuring all visual elements align with the storytelling. This role demands a strong eye for detail and the ability to work in a dynamic environment. Full-time opportunity with competitive hourly compensation.

Qualifications

• Ability to work a varied schedule, including nights and weekends.
• Must thrive in a fast-paced and deadline-driven environment.
• Must have a valid California driver’s license.

Responsibilities

• Oversee creative design, set dressing, and props for sound stages.
• Consult with students and faculty on set dressing and budgets.
• Supervise the scenic art design shop and maintain a safe workshop.
• Build flats, props, and set dressing items for various studios.

Skills

Strong design instincts

Attention to detail

Excellent verbal and written communication skills

Customer service commitment

Proficiency in MS Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint, and Adobe

Job description

Overview

Join to apply for the Production Designer role at Academy of Art University.

Academy of Art University is seeking a talented Production Designer to oversee the creative design, set dressing, props, building of sets, and construction elements for the sound stages. Our successful candidate will have strong design instincts as well as a strong eye for detail and a collaborative mindset. If you have experience ensuring that the visual artistic elements are in sync with each other and in service of the story being told, we encourage you to apply.

This is an exciting opportunity to work on-site in a world-class city, with our award winning faculty. Reporting directly to the Vice President of Schools of Entertainment, the Production Designer will have the opportunity to strengthen their skills in a fast paced dynamic environment.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate with the Vice President on the status of the sound stage sets in relationship to their use for classes. Partner with the Lab Resources MPT Shop Manager to ensure no service or safety gaps exist.
• Consult with students and faculty on set dressing, construction, props, and budget for classes and all shoots in relation to Academy of Art University business.
• Supervise the scenic art design shop.
• Maintain a safe and organized workshop that builds items for sets. Partner with the Lab Resources MPT Shop Manager on safety conformance when planning and constructing.
• Build flats, props, set dressing and other required items for studios at 466 Townsend Street and all other locations requiring sets for filming. This includes, but is not limited to, Studios 100, 106, and 107 and the various classrooms used for MPT 750 / 850 / 471 / 472 and MPT 234 shoots.
• Repair and maintain furniture used on sets and in all Schools of Entertainment Productions and Related Filmed Projects, including but not limited to those of Academy of Art Social Media and Creative Marketing.
• Source, Order and Purchase items (lamps, chairs, assorted furniture, bedding, miscellaneous items for set dressing) within the approved budget.
• When necessary drive to and from purchasing and locations.
• Assist with pick up of donated items for sound stages.
• Participate in maintaining inventory of furniture and other items used on sets and in all related Academy of Art University and Schools of Entertainment shoots and productions.
• Supervise assigned staff. Partner with the Lab Resources MPT Shop Manager on safety training.
• Perform the duties of Production Designer, Set Dresser and Props Supervisor as defined in the Entertainment Industry on productions affiliated with the Academy of Art University.
• Create drawings for set requirements and effectively set up to look like different locations - Interior & Exterior.
• Compile detailed estimates on projects related to the sound stages for the Vice President's approval.
• Coordinate the labor, supplies and other items needed to create the locations needed for classes held on the sound stages.
• Design specs (CAD) to scale on ground plans and elevations.
• Design and builds doors, walls and other needed items to accommodate spaces in the Townsend building.

Requirements

• Must be able to work a varied work schedule, including nights and weekends. This is a full-time, 42 week per year opportunity.
• Must be able to work in a fast paced and deadline-driven environment.
• Be able to walk, lift and bend.
• Possess excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Be a self-starter, work well independently and in a team environment and manage multiple priorities with ease.
• Have a friendly, outgoing and supportive approach. Demonstrate commitment to providing quality customer service.
• Must be highly dependable and adaptable.
• Strong proficiency in MS Word, Excel, Outlook and PowerPoint and Adobe.
• Have a valid California driver's license and be insurable under the Academy's provider.
• Must be able to pass a driving test.

Compensation

Compensation: $30 - $35.00 per hour, depending on experience

Benefits

Academy of Art University offers full-time employees health insurance, 401k options, paid vacation and paid holidays, paid sick leave and a commuter benefit program. The Academy also offers full-time employees an opportunity to take one undergraduate course tuition free each semester.

Application Deadline

Application Deadline: August 25, 2025

Equal Opportunity

Academy of Art University is an equal opportunity employer. All applicants will be considered regardless of age, AIDS or HIV positive status, marital status, domestic partnership, medical condition or genetic characteristics, race or national origin, pregnancy, religion, sex, gender identity, gender or sexual orientation, name change, citizenship, physical or mental disability, veteran status or other status protected by federal, state, local or other law. Academy of Art University will consider for employment all qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with the requirements of the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance. Equal access to the hiring process, services, and employment is available to all persons. Applicants requiring accommodations to the application and/or interview process should contact the Human Resources Department at [e-mail].