Set Designer

A set designer determines the overall design and appearance of any objects the audience sees like props, furniture, backdrops, and sometimes even the stage itself. In coordination with the stage director, they establish the visual tone that the production’s characters exist within. The set designer’s work begins with a thorough reading of the script to get a sense of the plot, time period, environments, and characters so that they can visualize how to best frame the audience’s experience of the production. 

Set designers must have a strong grasp of a wide range of visual design and arts: architecture, interior and exterior design, environmental design, stage design, lighting, painting, and more. This knowledge lets them curate a cohesive vision for the performance and build the characters’ world. They are often skilled in trades like woodworking, metalworking, and fabrication. Experience in these crafts allows set designers to create sets that are visually compelling, functional, and possible to create on-time and within budget.

Work in this field often begins with degrees related to theater or film and extensive experience as part of stage production teams. Studies in visual design fields and most trades (woodworking, metalworking, painting, and more) will also serve as valuable experience towards building the skills needed for set design. 

Musicians’ sense of creativity, preparing for deadlines, and experience performing on stage can make them great additions to any set design team.