Set Designer

Typical Salary

To

Typical Hours

40 to 42 variable

freelance / self-employed managing your own hours

How To Become a Set Designer

You can get into this job through:

a university course
a college course
working towards this role

College / University

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

fine art
interior design
3D design
theatre design

1 or 2 A levels, or equivalent, for a higher national diploma

2 to 3 A levels, or equivalent, for a degree

You could learn some of the skills you need for this job through a college course like a Level 3 Certificate or Diploma in Production Arts.

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

Apprenticeship

Apprenticeship are not listed for this job.

Routes into this Career

You could start as a set designer's assistant, art department trainee, prop maker or a runner in film or TV and work your way up.

Other Routes

Other Routes are not listed for this job.

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

Day To Day Tasks

You may:

study scripts and discuss ideas with the director
communicate your ideas to costume, make-up, props and lighting designers
work out problems like lighting and scene changes
research historical, contemporary or futuristic details to get the right look for the production
create effective designs within the available budget
sketch design ideas to produce a storyboard
build and photograph 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 & Progression

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

Volunteering Opportunities

You should find practical experience and build a portfolio of your design work to show to potential employers. You can get relevant experience by getting involved in:

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

Tips & Information

Career tips

A DVD or online portfolio showing sets you've designed for amateur theatre, school plays or films would be useful.

Further information

You can find out more about working in creative careers from Discover Creative Careers.

Restrictions & Requirements

Restrictions & Requirements are not listed for this job.