Salary, Job Description, How To Become One, and Quiz
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Set and Exhibit Designers
Set and Exhibit Designers 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.
Table of contents
What they do
Set and Exhibit Designers 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.
- Prepare rough drafts and scale working drawings of sets, including floor plans, scenery, and properties to be constructed.
- Read scripts to determine location, set, and design requirements.
- Develop set designs, based on evaluation of scripts, budgets, research information, and available locations.
- Attend rehearsals and production meetings to obtain and share information related to sets.
Typical day
On a daily basis, Set and Exhibit Designers direct and coordinate construction, erection, or decoration activities to ensure that sets or exhibits meet design, budget, and schedule requirements. They develop set designs, based on evaluation of scripts, budgets, research information, and available locations.
- Assign staff to complete design ideas and prepare sketches, illustrations, and detailed drawings of sets, or graphics and animation.
- Design and produce displays and materials that can be used to decorate windows, interior displays, or event locations, such as streets and fairgrounds.
- Inspect installed exhibits for conformance to specifications and satisfactory operation of special effects components.
- Examine objects to be included in exhibits to plan where and how to display them.
- Observe sets during rehearsals in order to ensure that set elements do not interfere with performance aspects such as cast movement and camera angles.
Other responsibilities
Besides their typical day, Set and Exhibit Designers also attend rehearsals and production meetings to obtain and share information related to sets. They may also select and purchase lumber and hardware necessary for set construction.
On a weekly to monthly basis, Set and Exhibit Designers design and build scale models of set designs or miniature sets used in filming backgrounds or special effects. They might also observe sets during rehearsals in order to ensure that set elements do not interfere with performance aspects such as cast movement and camera angles.
In addition, they acquire or arrange for the acquisition of, specimens or graphics required to complete exhibits.
Although specific duties may vary, many of them research architectural and stylistic elements appropriate to the time period to be depicted, consulting experts for information, as necessary.
To some Set and Exhibit Designers, it is also their responsibility to estimate set- or exhibit-related costs, including materials, construction, and rental of props or locations.
What is the job like
Job satisfaction
Is this job meaningful
76% said they were satisfied with their job and 54% said they found their job meaningful.
My name is Laura Vargas, I’m a freelance set designer in the American film and TV industry.
My job title is set designer, although it can change depending on the scale of the production. If it’s a small one it’ll normally be an art director or production designer, who is the person in charge of the overall look of the production, coordinates with the director and the rest of the department heads, designs the sets and it’s in charge of the art department, oversees the construction and set dressing process.
If it’s a bigger production sometimes I’ll be a set dresser or prop master, and I’ll be on set making sure it looks as it was initially designed and that the props (objects used by actors) have continuity in all the scenes.
My typical day
A typical day of work: no day in the film industry is the same, that’s the fun of it. Before a shooting, if I’m the production designer, I’ll spend around two months or more designing, planning, and building the set.
When production starts, a typical day for the art department would normally start at least a couple of hours before the general crew call time, so that we have time to prep the set, move furniture, decoration, and have all the props on time. Then when the shoot starts, there has to be on set dressers who reset props or elements on the set being used in each scene, and that generally make sure everything keeps looking good and is on call in case the director or cinematographer need anything moved or changed. When the shooting is done, most of the time the art department needs to break down the sets, return everything that was rented, and coordinate logistics for the next set.
Pros
Every day is different. It is very fun getting to work on sets with different themes and eras. While being on set you learn a lot from different crafts, you meet very interesting people all the time. Seeing the sets on the screen, when the film or series is finally released, is very satisfactory.
Cons
As it is mainly a freelance job, it doesn’t offer complete stability. Really long hours on set or locations with unpredictable weather, you have to be prepared for anything.
Pros
Suitable for people who like to work with designs.
Suitable for people who value achievements and are results-oriented.
This career is perfect for people who love to work indoors.
Good salary (earns more than 50% of the careers out there).
Cons
Not suitable for people who like to help and teach others.
It is very hard to get into this career. Extensive skills, knowledge, and experience are required for this career.
Long working hours (More than 40 hours per week).
How much do they make
Average salary
Average hourly wage
Entry-level Set and Exhibit Designers with little to no experience can expect to make anywhere between $30,180 to $38,790 per year or $15 to $19 per hour.
| Salary by experience | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Highest (Top 10%) | $106,230 | $51 |
| Senior (Top 25%) | $82,780 | $40 |
| Median | $58,180 | $28 |
| Junior (Bottom 25%) | $38,790 | $19 |
| No experience (Bottom 10%) | $30,180 | $15 |
This table shows the top 10 highest paying industries for Set and Exhibit Designers based on their average annual salary.
| Salary by industry | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Business, Professional, Labor, Political, and Similar Organizations | $85400 | $41.06 |
| Federal Executive Branch | $80480 | $38.69 |
| Motion Picture and Video Industries | $75850 | $36.47 |
| Independent Artists, Writers, and Performers | $62710 | $30.15 |
| Radio and Television Broadcasting | $62180 | $29.89 |
| Advertising, Public Relations, and Related Services | $60070 | $28.88 |
| Amusement Parks and Arcades | $59160 | $28.44 |
| Specialized Design Services | $58090 | $27.93 |
| Performing Arts Companies | $56500 | $27.17 |
| Architectural, Engineering, and Related Services | $56430 | $27.13 |
View more salary by industries here.
Where can they work
Where can Set and Exhibit Designers work? Here is a table showing the top 10 largest employers of Set and Exhibit Designers including the average salary in that industry.
| Employers | Total Employed | Annual Salary | Hourly Wages |
|---|---|---|---|
| Motion Picture and Video Industries | 4800 | $75850 | $36.47 |
| Performing Arts Companies | 1090 | $56500 | $27.17 |
| Museums, Historical Sites, and Similar Institutions | 800 | $54570 | $26.24 |
| Independent Artists, Writers, and Performers | 520 | $62710 | $30.15 |
| Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools | 400 | $53880 | $25.90 |
| Local Government | 370 | $51040 | $24.54 |
| Other Support Services | 350 | $54190 | $26.05 |
| Federal Executive Branch | 280 | $80480 | $38.69 |
| Specialized Design Services | 240 | $58090 | $27.93 |
| Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services | 230 | $51330 | $24.68 |
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What is the work day like
Working hours
Working schedule
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Telephone
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Group discussions
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Public speaking
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Level of competition
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What is the work environment like
Office-style environment
Indoors in an environmentally controlled condition
Warehouse-style environment
Indoors in a non-controlled environmental condition such as a warehouse
Outdoors
Outdoors exposed to all weather conditions
Outdoors – Under Cover
Outdoors but under cover (e.g. structure with roof but no walls)
How to become one
Difficulty to become one
Required level of education
What level of education do you need to perform the job?
Relevant majors
Design and Visual Communications
Illustration
Technical Theatre/Theatre Design and Technology
Relevant work experience
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On The Job Training
How much on the job training do you need to perform the job?
Should you become one
Best personality type for this career
People with this personality likes to work with designs and patterns. They prefer activities that require self-expression and prefer work that can be done without following a clear set of rules.
People with The Builder personality type likes practical and hands-on work. They prefer working with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery.
People with The Thinker personality likes to work with ideas that require an extensive amount of thinking. They prefer work that requires them to solve problems mentally.
People with The Artist personality likes to work with designs and patterns. They prefer activities that require self-expression and prefer work that can be done without following a clear set of rules.
People with The Helper personality type likes to work with people and in teams. They prefer work that allows them to build relationships with others.
People with The Leader personality likes to start and work on projects. They also like leading people and making many decisions.
People with The Organizer personality type likes to follow set procedures and routines. They prefer working with data and details more than with ideas.
You can read more about these career personality types here.
People who are suitable for this job tend to like working with forms, designs, and patterns. They often require self-expression and the work can be done without following a clear set of rules.
They also like work activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions. They like working with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery.
Take this quiz to see if this is the right career for you.
Work Values
Which values are the most important to a person’s satisfaction for this job?
You are someone who is results oriented. You prefer work that allows you to utilize your skills and abilities while at the same time giving you a sense of accomplishment.
You are someone who values job security, steady employment, and good working conditions. You also prefer work that keeps you busy all the time with something different to do every day.
You are someone who values job advancement and leadership roles. You prefer work that receives recognition for the work you do and jobs that are looked up to by others in the company and your community.
You are someone who likes to provide a service to others. You prefer a work environment where you can work with your co-workers in a friendly non-competitive environment.
You are someone who values a company that stands behind their employees. You prefer a work environment where everyone is treated fairly and is being supported by the company.
You are someone who likes to work on your own and make your own decisions. You prefer work that requires little supervision and are allowed to try out your own ideas.
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