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Set and Exhibit Designers

People classed as Set and Exhibit Designers design special exhibits and sets for film, video, television, and theater productions. The skills rated most useful are reading comprehension, active listening, and time management. You may also need to develop set designs, based on evaluation of scripts, budgets, research information, and available locations. Interest ratings put Artistic on top at 6.7 out of 7 and Enterprising second, so the code is AER and the day leans toward creative work with room for original expression. Getting in usually takes graduate school and often five years or more of related experience, a level O*NET calls extensive preparation. If you want creative work with room for original expression, keep it on your list. If you need research, analysis and working through hard problems, it may feel thin.

What they do

Design special exhibits and sets for film, video, television, and theater productions. May study scripts, confer with directors, and conduct research to determine appropriate architectural styles.

Main tasks

  • Develop set designs, based on evaluation of scripts, budgets, research information, and available locations.
  • Prepare rough drafts and scale working drawings of sets, including floor plans, scenery, and properties to be constructed.
  • Prepare preliminary renderings of proposed exhibits, including detailed construction, layout, and material specifications, and diagrams relating to aspects such as special effects or lighting.
  • Read scripts to determine location, set, and design requirements.
  • Submit plans for approval, and adapt plans to serve intended purposes, or to conform to budget or fabrication restrictions.
  • Attend rehearsals and production meetings to obtain and share information related to sets.

Skills

  • Reading Comprehension
  • Active Listening
  • Time Management
  • Speaking
  • Operations Analysis
  • Critical Thinking

Who this career fits

May suit you if

  • You want room to make something in your own way.
  • You like taking the lead and making the call.
  • You are prepared for graduate-level study and a long training path.
  • You are comfortable relying on reading comprehension and active listening.

May not suit you if

  • You prefer clear instructions to open creative briefs.
  • You want to be working in the field within the next few years.

Interest profile

O*NET rates each occupation from 1 to 7 on six interest types. The code AER takes the three highest, and Artistic comes first here.

Preparation

Extensive preparation. Many jobs here need graduate study, and people often spend five years or more building specialist experience.

Most-reported requirement in the O*NET survey: Master's Degree. This reflects what workers reported most often and is not a legal minimum. Licensing rules can differ by state or industry, so confirm what applies where you plan to work.

Also called

  • Designer
  • Display Coordinator
  • Exhibit Coordinator
  • Exhibit Designer
  • Exhibit Preparator

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This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA.