Set Designer

Set Designer Career

---

Be it a school play or a Broadway show, Set Designers are responsible for the artistic design and presentation of a stage. Your job as Set Designer includes charting out which scenery, props, and construction are necessary to complement a planned production, then working with designers, directors, and construction teams to make that vision a reality. You typically work on theater, television and movie productions, though on the last you are referred to as a Production Designer.

Your work environment will be hectic as you are bringing together a lot of moving parts. In a given hour you could be overseeing carpenters, rearranging furniture, and repainting the forest background because the director hated it. So if you want to be a Set Designer, be prepared for long hours and not to lose it if the carpenter built Juliet’s balcony a foot above the ground. Because no matter what happens, you need to stay collected and make sure the job gets done. By weaving together all these pieces, you create a scene of art that complements and enhances the performance it surrounds.

On the whole, being a Set Designer is pretty awesome. So awesome, in fact, that many people do it on a volunteer or low-paid basis. But if you want to make this your bread and butter then aim for professional productions.

How do I become a Set Designer?

---

Not a lot of background is necessary, you really just need some artistic and organizational talent. To start, try jumping in at a community theater to get your feet wet. If you get serious then consider a degree program. Although they are not strictly necessary for this field, they get you a ton of experience in a short amount of time. Plus they introduce you to skills and perspectives you might not come across on your own.