Education
Fact-checked

At WiseGEEK, we're committed to delivering accurate, trustworthy information. Our expert-authored content is rigorously fact-checked and sourced from credible authorities. Discover how we uphold the highest standards in providing you with reliable knowledge.

Learn more...

How do I Become a Set Designer?

Mary Elizabeth
Mary Elizabeth
Mary Elizabeth
Mary Elizabeth

In theatre, television, and film productions, the stage or set is often, though not always, transformed through a variety of changes to create the setting against which a play, musical, or opera is enacted. The two people most responsible for how things look on the stage are the lighting designer, who is responsible for all of the illumination, and the set designer, who is responsible for the scenery, props, and furniture that appear on the stage. One can train to become a set designer through a university degree program, but it is necessary to augment this with practical experience in order to get jobs.

To become a set designer, it is usually wise to complete a relevant bachelor’s degree, such as a B.A. or B.F.A. in Theatre Production, Technical Theatre, Costume and Scene Design, Theatre Arts, or Theatre Design and Technology, depending on the college or university. As an undergraduate, you are likely to encounter a pre-professional curriculum that includes aspects of set design such as drawing, rendering, drafting, construction, and stagecraft. Theatre history, dramatic repertoire, dramatic theory, acting, and costume design and lighting, may all be included. The managerial aspects of theatre and the integration of the engineering elements of scene design with the artistic goals of the production may also be treated.

Aspiring set designers may start out working on community theatre productions.
Aspiring set designers may start out working on community theatre productions.

Besides academic training, experience in the industry is important. This can start as a teen helping on sets for school productions and local community theatre productions. The earlier you start, and the more you volunteer and learn, the more likely that you will have the opportunity to participate in a wide range of relevant set design activity.

In addition to specific training and experience, there are certain personal qualities and talents or character traits that, if not absolutely required, are certainly extremely important to become a set designer. The ability to solve complex problems in transforming the artistic director’s or the director’s vision into a workable set that stays within budget is one example. Others are visualization — the ability to imagine how things would be if something changes, excellent communication skills, and working both independently and as a part of a team.

The motion picture and video industries are the largest employers of set designers, followed by performing arts companies. California is the place in which most are employed, followed by New York. In addition, unions are important in the motion picture and video industries Therefore, to become a set designer, choosing to live in one of the places in which you are likely to be hired and also join a union.

Mary Elizabeth
Mary Elizabeth

Mary Elizabeth is passionate about reading, writing, and research, and has a penchant for correcting misinformation on the Internet. In addition to contributing articles to WiseGEEK about art, literature, and music, Mary Elizabeth is a teacher, composer, and author. She has a B.A. from the University of Chicago’s writing program and an M.A. from the University of Vermont, and she has written books, study guides, and teacher materials on language and literature, as well as music composition content for Sibelius Software.

Learn more...
Mary Elizabeth
Mary Elizabeth

Mary Elizabeth is passionate about reading, writing, and research, and has a penchant for correcting misinformation on the Internet. In addition to contributing articles to WiseGEEK about art, literature, and music, Mary Elizabeth is a teacher, composer, and author. She has a B.A. from the University of Chicago’s writing program and an M.A. from the University of Vermont, and she has written books, study guides, and teacher materials on language and literature, as well as music composition content for Sibelius Software.

Learn more...

Discuss this Article

Post your comments
Login:
Forgot password?
Register:
    • Aspiring set designers may start out working on community theatre productions.
      By: s2artstudio
      Aspiring set designers may start out working on community theatre productions.