Set designer | Explore careers (2024)

How to become

Explore the different ways to get into this role.

How to become a set designer

You can get into this job through:

  • a university course
  • a college course
  • an apprenticeship
  • working towards this role

University

You can study for a higher national diploma or degree in a relevant subject, like:

  • fine art
  • interior design
  • architecture
  • 3D design
  • theatre design

You could also do a course in performing arts production or design for film and television at some universities, colleges and drama schools.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

  • 1 or 2 A levels, or equivalent, for a higher national diploma
  • 2 to 3 A levels, or equivalent, for a degree

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College

You could do a college course to learn some of the skills you'll need for this job. Courses include:

  • level 3 Certificate or Diploma in Production Arts
  • level 3 Diploma in 3D Design and Crafts
  • level 3 Art and Design

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

  • 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, for a level 3 course

More Information

Apprenticeship

You could do a Scenic Artist Level 3 Advanced Apprenticeship.

This usually takes around 2 years to complete as a mix of study and workplace learning.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

  • 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths, for an advanced apprenticeship

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Work

You could start in a junior position and work your way up. For example, you could start as a:

Volunteering

You'll find it useful tobuild a portfolio of your design workto show to potential employers. This might include sets you've designed for amateur theatre, school plays or films.

To get experience to include in your portfolio, you could get involved in:

  • student theatre or film
  • local amateur or community theatre
  • low budget independent films

More information

You can find out more about working as a set designer fromScreenSkillsand other creative careers fromDiscover Creative Careers.

What it takes

Find out what skills you’ll use in this role.

What it takes

Skills and knowledge

You'll need:

  • knowledge of the fine arts
  • design skills and knowledge
  • to be thorough and pay attention to detail
  • the ability to use your initiative
  • the ability to work well with others
  • the ability to come up with new ways of doing things
  • the ability to accept criticism and work well under pressure
  • excellent verbal communication skills
  • to be able to use a computer and the main software packages confidently

What you’ll do

Discover the day to day tasks you’ll do in this role.

What you'll do

Day-to-day tasks

As a set designer, you could:

  • study scripts, discuss ideas with the director and research details
  • communicate ideas to costume, make-up, props and lighting designers
  • work out problems like lighting and scene changes
  • sketch design ideas to produce a storyboard and create designs within budget
  • build and take photos of scale models

Working environment

You could work in a theatre, in an office, on a film set, in a creative studio, from home or at a film studio.

Your working environment may be physically demanding and outdoors some of the time.

Career path and progression

Look at progression in this role and similar opportunities.

Career path and progression

With experience, you could work on larger film, TV and theatre productions.

Current opportunities

Find apprenticeships, courses and jobs available near you.

Current opportunities

Apprenticeships In England

We can't find any apprenticeship vacancies in England for a set designer right now.

The Find an apprenticeship service can help you with your search, send alerts when new apprenticeships become available and has advice on how to apply.

Courses In England

Technical Theatre Level 3

  • Provider: THE OLDHAM COLLEGE
  • Start date: 02 September 2024
  • Location: Oldham

UAL L4 Prof Diploma in Technical Theatre

  • Provider: NORTH KENT COLLEGE
  • Start date: 09 September 2024
  • Location: Dartford

Jobs In the United Kingdom

The Find a job service can help you with your search for jobs and send alerts when new jobs become available.

Set designer | Explore careers (2024)

FAQs

What is the career about set designer? ›

What does a Set Designer do? Set designers, or scenic designers, are responsible for the worlds that characters on the stage and screen inhabit: from the rooms, buildings, and outdoor spaces they move through to the pieces of furniture that fill them, and even aspects of presentation like the set's angle.

What did you learn about the job of a set designer? ›

Set designers usually start with freehand sketches of what the scene should be. They then move to scale models, working in tandem with the director of the production, the production manager, and writers. Once their plans are finalized, the set designer supervises construction workers who build the sets.

What are the key skills of a set designer? ›

Skills and knowledge
  • knowledge of the fine arts.
  • design skills and knowledge.
  • to be thorough and pay attention to detail.
  • the ability to use your initiative.
  • the ability to work well with others.
  • the ability to come up with new ways of doing things.
  • the ability to accept criticism and work well under pressure.

What is the main goal of the set designer? ›

A set designer's main goal is to figure out everything that may be needed based on the dialogue in the script. Set designers work with directors, producers, costume designers and other crew members. Other productions runway shows or photo shoots also require the expertise of a set designer.

Do set designers make a lot of money? ›

$32,600 is the 25th percentile. Salaries below this are outliers. $90,800 is the 75th percentile.

Why is set design important? ›

A properly designed set, portrays the tone and personality of the show. A good reputation can be sustained with an amazing set design. An aesthetically pleasing and attention-grabbing scenic design can pass as a form of branding and good PR strategy for tv, film or show. A good set design communicates.

What is the skill set of a designer? ›

Graphic Designers bring together art and technology, so they need a knowledge of design principles combined with a mastery of design software. Because they often work with clients and colleagues on various projects, they also need important soft skills like communication and problem solving.

How to work as a set designer? ›

Requirements and Qualifications
  1. Bachelor's degree in theatre design, art, or a related field.
  2. Previous experience in set design for theatre, film, or television.
  3. Knowledge of theatre construction and safety protocols.
  4. Strong organizational and communication skills.
  5. Able to work in a fast-paced environment.

What is job design answer? ›

Job design is the process of establishing employees' roles and responsibilities. Its main purpose is to optimise work processes to create value and maximise performance. But, it's also a key element in creating good quality jobs which benefit both workers and employers.

What are the basics of set design? ›

The five categories included in set design are line, mass, composition, texture, and color. Set design also includes deciding between realistic and non realistic design, as well as deciding on aesthetic choices.

Is there a demand for set designers? ›

What is the job outlook for new Set and Exhibit Designers? There are 19,097 jobs in this career today. It is projected to have 18,974 jobs in 5 years for a growth rate of -0.64%. The growth rate is a national projection of how many job openings will exist in this career in the future as compared to today.

What are the 3 performance goals every designer should set? ›

A goal that advances the company. A goal that strengthens the team. A goal that grows the individual designer.

Do set designers build the set? ›

Materials and Construction: Set designers are responsible for selecting appropriate materials, props, and scenic elements that meet the artistic and budgetary requirements of the production. They work with construction teams to oversee the actual construction and installation of the sets.

What four things should a set accomplish? ›

A theatre set should: (1) suggest the style and tone of the whole production; (2) create mood and atmosphere; (3) give clues as to the specific time and place of the action; and (4) offer creative possibilities for the movement and grouping of the actors.

Is it hard to become a set designer? ›

To become a set designer, most professionals start with a bachelor's degree in theater arts, production design, or other fine arts disciplines. Some even pursue master's degrees in these fields. While formal education isn't a strict requirement, it provides a solid foundation of knowledge and skills.

What does a set production designer do? ›

As a production designer, you'll identify a design style for sets, locations, graphics, props, lighting, camera angles and costumes, while working closely with the director and producer. Once the concept is decided, you'll usually appoint and manage an art department, which includes a design and construction team.

What is the job outlook for a set designer? ›

What is the job outlook for new Set and Exhibit Designers? There are 19,097 jobs in this career today. It is projected to have 18,974 jobs in 5 years for a growth rate of -0.64%. The growth rate is a national projection of how many job openings will exist in this career in the future as compared to today.

What is an example of a set designer? ›

Tim Yip is a theatre and movie set designer, world-famous for his designs on works such as Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, for which he won the Oscar in Best Art Direction.

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