Set and Production Design Expert - Remote

Compensation: $50–$105 per hour
Engagement Type: Contractor
Location: Fully Remote – Africa

About the Role

We are seeking experienced Set and Production Design Experts to evaluate creative concepts, set designs and production environments for film, television, theatre, events, commercials and photography projects.

This opportunity is suited to professionals with hands-on experience designing, building, decorating or directing sets for real productions. You will review proposed designs and assess how effectively they support the story, meet the creative brief, work within the available space and budget, and translate into practical environments for performers, production teams and cameras.

Your assessments will consider spatial layout, scale, sightlines, materials, color, period accuracy and on-set functionality. You will identify potential design or production challenges and provide clear written explanations of your decisions and recommendations.

Key Responsibilities

• Set and Concept Evaluation: Review set designs, room layouts and production design concepts, identifying the strongest options for a given script, brief, production or budget.

• Spatial Planning and Layout: Assess scale, proportions, layout and sightlines, considering how the space will function for actors, performers, crew and camera placement.

• Visual and Creative Assessment: Evaluate color schemes, materials, textures, props and decorative elements to determine whether they support the intended visual direction.

• Camera and Production Suitability: Identify design choices that may not translate effectively on camera or during live production, including unsuitable materials, impractical layouts and elements that interfere with shots.

• Period and Context Accuracy: Review whether set elements, furnishings, props and design details are appropriate for the story's setting and intended period.

• Brief and Budget Alignment: Determine whether proposed designs meet the creative requirements while remaining practical within the available budget and production constraints.

• Production Risk Identification: Flag potential issues that could arise during set construction, installation, filming or live event execution.

• Design Recommendations: Explain the strengths and weaknesses of alternative concepts and recommend improvements where necessary.

• Decision Documentation: Provide concise written explanations for each assessment so reviewers can understand the reasoning behind your recommendations.

Required Qualifications and Experience

• Professional experience as a Production Designer, Set Designer, Art Director, Set Decorator, Assistant Art Director, Theatre Designer or in a closely related role.

• Practical experience designing, building, decorating or overseeing sets for film, television, theatre, events, commercials or photography.

• Experience working on real productions involving scripts or creative briefs, budgets, set builds, shoot or installation days, and collaboration with other production departments.

• Strong understanding of spatial design, scale, layout, sightlines, materials, color and production functionality.

• Ability to assess whether a design supports the story, creative direction, production setting and intended camera or audience experience.

• Familiarity with professional design tools such as SketchUp, AutoCAD, Vectorworks, Rhino or Adobe Photoshop, or strong hand-drafting skills. Proficiency in every tool is not required.

• Good understanding of practical production constraints, including construction, installation, materials and budget considerations.

• Strong visual judgment, attention to detail and problem-solving skills.

• Clear written English communication skills and the ability to explain design decisions effectively.

Preferred Background

Experience in film and television production, theatre, commercial production, event design, photography sets, art direction or production environments is beneficial. Candidates who have worked across concept development, technical design, set construction, decoration and on-site implementation are particularly encouraged to apply.

Selection Process

1. Application: Submit your resume and a short professional profile highlighting your set design, production design or art direction experience.

2. Design Interview: Complete a short conversation about your professional experience with production briefs, set concepts, budgets, builds and installation or shoot workflows. No advance preparation, written assignment or review of materials is required.

3. Experience Review: Your professional background will be assessed against the project's requirements.

4. Onboarding: If selected, you will receive the relevant project guidelines and instructions.

5. Initial Task: You will begin with an initial task, which will be reviewed before you proceed with further assignments.

Engagement Details

• Role: Set and Production Design Expert

• Work Arrangement: Fully Remote – Africa

• Employment Type: Contractor

• Compensation: $50–$105 per hour

If you have professional experience designing and delivering production environments, this opportunity allows you to apply your creative and technical judgment to specialist set and production design evaluation projects.