Production Designer

Production Designer Job Description

Better Block Foundation is a nonprofit organization that empowers communities and their leaders to reshape their built environments to promote the growth of healthy and vibrant neighborhoods. The Production Designer should understand and embrace this mission, and have a genuine passion for urban innovation and bettering cities.

Position (located in Dallas, Texas; remote is not available)

Reports to the Executive Director for HR matters and to the Director of Productions for day-to-day duties.

We are seeking a Production Designer who can bring together architecture, street design, digital fabrication, and graphic design. This role is central to creating the visual, spatial, and functional designs that drive Better Block's projects. The workload has a mix of urban design, digital fabrication, and field implementation, and includes travel across the U.S. and, sometimes, internationally.

We're aware this role is a bit of a unicorn. If you've got two or three of the key skills—architecture, street design, digital fabrication, or graphic design—and the curiosity to develop the others, please apply.

The breakdown of responsibilities is approximately:

• 45% Site Design (spaces, murals, layouts, interventions, streets)

• 40% Digital Fabrication (furniture, signage, prototyping, CNC/laser/3D workflows)

• 15% Graphic Design (murals, signage, project branding, communication materials

Better Block projects are temporary, block-level interventions that demonstrate a series of rapid prototypes. We work with the community, highlighting their tools, knowledge, and resources, to revitalize neighborhoods. We often add bike lanes with temporary paint, use digital fabrication and manual processes to construct furniture from plywood and palettes, and activate the space by coordinating markets. Thus, the role is physically demanding, often requiring moving heavy objects and climbing ladders. It is critical that this person be a planner, do-er, and extremely detail-oriented.

Responsibilities

Design + Urban Interventions

·      Assist with site design, mural concepts, and street-level interventions.

·      Produce presentation materials and construction documents so volunteers can complete projects.

·      Collaborate, as needed, with city officials, community members, and project managers to ensure feasibility and impact.

Digital Fabrication

·      Assist with design-to-production workflows for CNC, laser cutters, and 3D printers.

·      Develop and test new Wikiblock and project-specific furniture and streetscape elements.

·      Coordinate fabrication schedules and material sourcing.

Graphic Design

·      Design signage, ground murals, and visual communications to support projects.

·      Create templates and graphics for both onsite installations and digital use.

·      Ensure alignment with Better Block's brand and project storytelling.

Project Leadership + Implementation

·      Travel to project sites for implementation, often on nights/weekends.

·      Oversee logistics, lead volunteer workshops, and provide on-the-ground direction.

·      Contribute to project reporting, storytelling, and public engagement.

Qualifications

·      Degree in architecture, industrial design, landscape architecture, urban planning, or related field OR 3+ years professional experience in a multidisciplinary design role.

·      Demonstrated experience in site/street design and digital fabrication (CNC, laser cutting, 3D printing).

·      Strong skills in graphic design (Adobe Creative Suite, Illustrator, InDesign, Photoshop).

·      Proficiency in design software: specifically AutoCAD or Rhino

·      Comfortable with physical, hands-on work: moving materials, building, painting, leading volunteers.

·      Proficient with power tools.

·      Exceptional organizational skills and ability to pivot quickly as project needs evolve.

·      Strong communicator able to collaborate with municipal leaders, community members, and volunteers.

·      Spanish language skills preferred.

·      Willingness to travel up to 25% and work flexible hours.

Perks

·      
We get to travel the United States (and internationally) up to 25% of the time for site visits, check in trips, and events, so this is a fun opportunity to see the world and how different communities work together.

·      
As part of our office, you will have access to our workshop that includes a CNC bed, laser cutters, and 3D printers as well as traditional power tools and supplies for woodworking.

·      
The Production Designer is a perfect position for someone who wants to be outside and on site as often as they are in the office behind a desk. No two days are alike

·      
10 flexible PTO days plus holidays, including a closed office between Christmas and New Years.

·      
Creative atmosphere with an open office concept.

·      
We offer group insurance through the company with Better Block paying 60% of the premiums.

Salary Range

·      
$50,000-$55,000