Set designer

Entry Requirements:

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:

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

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:

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

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:

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

Work

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

• set designer's assistant
• art department trainee
• prop maker
• TV or film production runner

Volunteering

You'll find it useful to build a portfolio of your design work  to 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 from ScreenSkills  and other creative careers from Discover Creative Careers .

Required Skills:

Digital skills : to be able to use a computer and the main software packages confidently

Skills:

• 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
• knowledge of English language
• thinking and reasoning skills
• the ability to read English
• maths knowledge
• the ability to think clearly using logic and reasoning
• leadership skills
• knowledge of building and construction
• an interest and knowledge of history
• active listening skills
• operations analysis skills
• concentration skills
• the ability to work well with your hands

What you'll do:

Set designers design and create the settings for commercials, television, theatre and films.

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

Location : You could work in a theatre, in an office, on a film set, in a creative studio, from home or at a film studio.
Environment : Your working environment may be physically demanding and outdoors some of the time.

Salary:

Starter : variable
Experienced : variable

These figures are a guide

Working hours:

40 - 42 hours variable

Working Pattern is freelance / self-employed managing your own hours

Career Path:

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