Set and Exhibit Designer

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  Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations

Set and Exhibit Designer

Also Called: Designer, Display Coordinator, Exhibit Coordinator, Exhibit Designer, Exhibit Preparator, Historical Society Window Dresser, Installations Designer, Projection Designer, Scenic Designer, Set Designer, Designer, Display Coordinator, Exhibit Coordinator, Exhibit Designer, Exhibit Preparator, Historical Society Window Dresser, Installations Designer, Projection Designer, Scenic Designer, Set Designer

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.

$32,240
Starting Salary (2023)
$59,490
Median Salary (2023)
7.3%
Projected Job Growth
10,090
Employment (2022)

Typical Tasks

Attend rehearsals and production meetings to obtain and share information related to sets.
Collaborate with those in charge of lighting and sound so that those production aspects can be coordinated with set designs or exhibit layouts.
Confer with clients and staff to gather information about exhibit space, proposed themes and content, timelines, budgets, materials, or promotion requirements.
Design and build scale models of set designs, or miniature sets used in filming backgrounds or special effects.
Develop set designs, based on evaluation of scripts, budgets, research information, and available locations.

A day in the life

What kind of work is this?

Artistic
Conceptual, Creative Work
Enterprising
Business based Work
Realistic
Practical, Physical Work

What personality traits do you need to succeed?

Dependability
Attention to Detail
Cooperation
Initiative
Adaptability/Flexibility
Innovation

What key skills are needed for this job?

Reading Comprehension
Active Listening
Speaking
Critical Thinking
Operations Analysis
Time Management

Expected Knowledge

Fine Arts
Knowledge of the theory and techniques required to compose, produce, and perform works of music, dance, visual arts, drama, and sculpture.
Design
Knowledge of design techniques, tools, and principles involved in production of precision technical plans, blueprints, drawings, and models.
Computers and Electronics
Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.

Common Activities

Thinking Creatively
Developing, designing, or creating new applications, ideas, relationships, systems, or products, including artistic contributions.
Getting Information
Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
Drafting, Laying Out, and Specifying Technical Devices, Parts, and Equipment
Providing documentation, detailed instructions, drawings, or specifications to tell others about how devices, parts, equipment, or structures are to be fabricated, constructed, assembled, modified, maintained, or used.

More Info

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