Theatre/Television Designer

Also known as:

Designer, Theatre/Television
Set Designer, Theatre/Television
Stage Designer
Television/Theatre Designer
TV/Theatre Designer

Introduction

Theatre/television designers create or select exterior and interior scenes for theatrical or television/film productions. They then prepare a scale model or drawing and supervise the construction of their sets.

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Work Activities

Theatre/television designers design and supervise the creation of exterior and interior settings for theatre, television and film productions. Designers read and analyse scripts then make decisions about the shape and size of sets, colour schemes and scenic features.

Designers begin by carrying out detailed research. If they are working on a period drama they need to find details about how people lived in the past. Details may include:
• what accommodation was like
• how people furnished rooms
• what colour schemes were popular at particular times.

They do this by consulting text books, period magazines, visiting museums and art galleries and examining old photographs. If they are collecting modern material they may spend time taking photographs, recording measurements and making rough sketches of everyday objects and buildings.

After the research stage, designers produce scale models and detailed working drawings called 'ground plans' and 'elevations'. These show how sets will look from above and from eye-level. Directors and performers can use these to determine entrances, exits and positions. Television and film directors can also use them to plan camera angles and to decide where to put sound equipment.

While sets are being built, designers find, buy, or hire props, which they use to dress the sets. Scenic artists add all the finishing touches. They paint backcloths, gauzes and floors, and create finer details such as paintings, tapestries and wall hangings.

Designers work closely with directors, producers, stage/floor managers, costume designers, lighting designers, craftworkers and technicians.

The work may involve local travel, or more extensive travel in the UK and possibly overseas.

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Personal Qualities and Skills

You must be artistic, creative, imaginative and good at drawing, with a good eye for 3D design and colour. Computer skills, together with an understanding of computer-aided design (CAD), are important. You need to be able to express your ideas clearly through the drawings and models you produce.

You must be accurate in your approach and pay great attention to detail, as audiences and critics can spot many inaccuracies. You should be able to accept constructive criticism and be prepared to adapt and amend your designs in the light of comments from the director and other colleagues. You must be able to work under pressure and meet deadlines.

You will also need a thorough knowledge of technical and production processes and be able to supervise other staff. An understanding of construction methods and of health and safety issues is important.

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Pay and Opportunities

Pay rates for theatre designers vary depending on the media they work in: theatre, television or film, and whether they are employed or self-employed.

The pay rates given below are approximate.

Employed, resident theatre designers earn in the range of £17,500 - £22,500 a year, and higher salaries are possible. Freelance designers earn from around £2,000 - £6,000 per production, and higher rates are possible.

Freelance rates in television vary depending on the type of production, but range from around £450 a week for assistant scenic artist to around £600 per week for a senior designer, and higher rates are possible.

Designers work a basic 40-hour week. However, early starts, late finishes, evening and weekend work may be required. They may also be required to work intensively for periods, especially in the run-up to a production.

Designers work in theatre, television and film. Many are self-employed, freelance designers. They are usually employed on short contracts and may move from production to production between all three media.

Consultancy and fixed-term contract work may be available for experienced designers.

Comparatively few posts in this area of design are available and there is fierce competition for freelance work.

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Adult Opportunities

It is illegal for any organisation to set age limits for entry to employment, education or training, unless they can show there is a real need to have these limits.

Skills gained as an assistant in a design studio or workshop, or in a design consultancy are valued. Commercial awareness and understanding of theatre and the broadcast industry is an advantage.

If you don't have the qualifications needed to enter your chosen degree or HND course, a college or university Access course (eg, Access to Art and Design) could be the way in. No formal qualifications are usually required, but you should check individual course details.

They can lead to relevant degree/HND courses.

Universities and colleges of higher education (HE) will usually consider applications from candidates who do not meet their usual entry requirements, especially those with experience in arts, crafts or design. You should check the admissions policy of individual universities and HE colleges.

Some employers may prefer a postgraduate course in a relevant subject.

To enter this work or relevant courses, you need to have a portfolio of work showing your creative ability.

• 45% of people in occupations such as theatre/television designer are self-employed.
• 22% work part-time.
• 5% have flexible hours.

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