Studio Production Designer

at  Harbor Freight Tools USA Inc

Harbor Freight is seeking a talented, positively oriented, Studio Production Designer to join our dynamic Imagery Team. This on-site position in Camarillo will play a crucial role in our Imagery division, contributing to the development and maintenance of Harbor Freight’s distinctive visual projects in both Photography and Video.
The ideal candidate will possess a background as a Studio Production Designer, Photo/Video Art Director, and/or Set Decorator with experience in commercial work, retail/e-comm studio, and/or film and television, or digital media. Key responsibilities will include set dressing, prop acquisition and sourcing, styling of hero products, assisting in the construction of simple sets, providing composition advice, and developing multiple, unique visual identities that align with Harbor Freight’s brand standards. The Studio Production Designer will be instrumental in creating, designing, and styling realistic scene settings such as garages, auto shops, construction sites, home interiors and exteriors, and much more for our Photo and Video production teams.
If you are passionate about crafting compelling visual narratives and excel in a collaborative environment, we encourage you to apply and become a valued member of our evolving team.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Collaborate with Key Creatives: Partner with the Photo and Video teams, as well as the Production Manager and Director of Imagery Operations, to achieve the desired aesthetic and vision for each production.
• Develop Mood Boards and Concept Art: Work closely with the Creative Producer to create mood boards and concept art during the pre-production and development phases.
• Set Construction: Construct simple sets using our in-house set wall library and source additional materials for sound stage and location work as needed.
• Production: Participate in location scouting and design/set dress locations to enhance photo and video productions, be on set when needed to stylize each set for each scene.
• Create Consistent Themes: Collaborate with internal stakeholders to develop a distinctive, on-brand theme for background set dressing, ensuring a cohesive visual identity across all productions.
• Build and Maintain Prop Library: Partner with the Imagery Samples Specialist to expand and maintain a comprehensive prop library, including inventory logs, for efficient access during shoots.
• Provide Photoshop Support: Perform minor Photoshop tasks as required, both for pre-production and post-production processes.

Scope

• Staff supervision and development: No
• Decision making: Collaborate with the Video Team, Photo Team, Imagery Team, and other internal creatives to shape the visual direction of productions for Harbor Freight.
• Offer extensive support to the Imagery Team and other stakeholders as needed, ensuring smooth collaboration and effective project execution.
• Travel: Up to 5%
• Flex Designation: In Office

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

Education Requirements

• High School or GED
• College Degree with a focus in communications, art, or film and tv, preferred

Years of Experience

• Minimum 5 years working in both the Photography and film, television, corporate video, commercial industries as a set decorator, production designer, and/or art director.

Skills

• Fluency in English
• Knowledge of power tools.
• Knowledge of visual realistic looks to design organic environments that seem real and practical, such as home garages, backyards, and other realistic environments.
• Detail oriented and highly organized.
• Ability to work in a fast paced, rapidly changing environments
• Ability to switch gears at a fast pace.
• Comprehensive understanding of the film production process with knowledge of development, pre-production, production, and postproduction.
• Comprehensive understanding of the Photography production process with knowledge of studio practices and needs.
• Corporate, retail and/or E-comm studio knowledge and experience
• Project Management experience is a huge plus as we have a high volume of projects rotating on a regular basis.
• Knowledge of the tool industry and their usage is required, while experience using and working with power tools is extremely helpful.
• Experience making mood boards, or concept art, or set design sketches or overhead drawings.
• Exhibit adaptability and flexibility in various situations, embracing collaboration and creative input while also capable of assuming leadership when circumstances demand.
• Showcase a portfolio of work demonstrating a keen creative eye with a focus on set styling and creating authentic environments that look realistic, “down to earth”, and natural.
• While not mandatory, experience with Photoshop or GFX work is a huge plus.
• You are passionate about production, seeking a stable position within a team of dedicated and collaborative professionals. You thrive in a fast-paced environment and excel at multitasking, viewing each challenge as an opportunity to enhance and refine processes. Additionally, you have a keen interest in power tools, how they work, and what they can do. With a commitment to kindness and positivity, you aim to contribute your energetic approach to a dynamic, evolving team of creatives. You are eager to support a rapidly growing company that prioritizes its employees and is dedicated to exceeding customer expectations.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

General office environment requiring ability to:

• Stand, walk, sit for extended periods of time.
• Speak and listen to others in person and over the phone and video conferencing.
• Use keyboard and read from computer screen and reports.
• The ability to lift up to 15 lbs.

Safety

• Must be able to perform this job safely in accordance with standard operating procedures and good manufacturing practices, without endangering the health or safety of self or others.

• Collaborate with Key Creatives: Partner with the Photo and Video teams, as well as the Production Manager and Director of Imagery Operations, to achieve the desired aesthetic and vision for each production.
• Develop Mood Boards and Concept Art: Work closely with the Creative Producer to create mood boards and concept art during the pre-production and development phases.
• Set Construction: Construct simple sets using our in-house set wall library and source additional materials for sound stage and location work as needed.
• Production: Participate in location scouting and design/set dress locations to enhance photo and video productions, be on set when needed to stylize each set for each scene.
• Create Consistent Themes: Collaborate with internal stakeholders to develop a distinctive, on-brand theme for background set dressing, ensuring a cohesive visual identity across all productions.
• Build and Maintain Prop Library: Partner with the Imagery Samples Specialist to expand and maintain a comprehensive prop library, including inventory logs, for efficient access during shoots.
• Provide Photoshop Support: Perform minor Photoshop tasks as required, both for pre-production and post-production processes