Occupation · SOC 27-1027
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.
Median wage
$66,280
$35,990–$129,420
Projected growth
—
—
Annual openings
—
per year
Employed (US)
10,850
Job Zone 5
Typical preparation
Extensive preparation
Stackable credential programs
308 mapped
Core skills
Reading ComprehensionActive ListeningTime ManagementCritical ThinkingOperations AnalysisSpeakingCoordinationJudgment and Decision Making
Knowledge areas
Fine ArtsDesignComputers and ElectronicsBuilding and ConstructionHistory and Archeology
Technology & tools
Video creation and editing softwareDocument management softwareGraphics or photo imaging softwareDesktop publishing softwareComputer aided design CAD software
Representative 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.Confer with clients and staff to gather information about exhibit space, proposed themes and content, timelines, budgets, materials, or promotion requirements.Research architectural and stylistic elements appropriate to the time period to be depicted, consulting experts for information, as necessary.Observe sets during rehearsals in order to ensure that set elements do not interfere with performance aspects such as cast movement and camera angles.Collaborate with those in charge of lighting and sound so that those production aspects can be coordinated with set designs or exhibit layouts.Select set props, such as furniture, pictures, lamps, and rugs.Design and build scale models of set designs, or miniature sets used in filming backgrounds or special effects.Examine objects to be included in exhibits to plan where and how to display them.Assign staff to complete design ideas and prepare sketches, illustrations, and detailed drawings of sets, or graphics and animation.Inspect installed exhibits for conformance to specifications and satisfactory operation of special-effects components.Estimate set- or exhibit-related costs, including materials, construction, and rental of props or locations.Plan for location-specific issues, such as space limitations, traffic flow patterns, and safety concerns.Acquire, or arrange for acquisition of, specimens or graphics required to complete exhibits.Design and produce displays and materials that can be used to decorate windows, interior displays, or event locations, such as streets and fairgrounds.Direct and coordinate construction, erection, or decoration activities to ensure that sets or exhibits meet design, budget, and schedule requirements.Coordinate the transportation of sets that are built off-site, and coordinate their setup at the site of use.Confer with conservators to determine how to handle an exhibit's environmental aspects, such as lighting, temperature, and humidity, so that objects will be protected and exhibits will be enhanced.Select and purchase lumber and hardware necessary for set construction.Arrange for outside contractors to construct exhibit structures.Incorporate security systems into exhibit layouts.Coordinate the removal of sets, props, and exhibits after productions or events are complete.Provide supportive materials for exhibits and displays, such as press kits, advertising, publicity notices, posters, brochures, catalogues, and invitations.
Competency framework
Skill expectations by proficiency level.
emerging
Script analysis and design requirements — identify location, set, and thematic needs by reading assigned scripts under the guidance of a senior designer in a professional production environment.Rough draft floor plans and scenery sketches — prepare initial hand-drawn or CAD-assisted layouts of set components under direct supervision on entry-level theatrical or exhibit projects.Research materials on architectural and historical periods — gather and organize reference images, scholarly sources, and expert contacts to support period-accurate design decisions on assigned projects.Client and stakeholder intake notes — document exhibit space dimensions, proposed themes, timelines, and budget parameters gathered during supervised client-facing meetings.Preliminary scale drawings — produce basic working drawings of set pieces and exhibit layouts using CAD software under mentored review within a professional design studio.Design budget parameters — review and apply provided budget constraints when developing initial concept options for small-scale set or exhibit assignments.Production meeting attendance — participate in rehearsals and production meetings to collect technical and creative information, reporting findings to the lead designer.Graphics and imaging software tools — use industry-standard photo imaging and desktop publishing software to prepare presentation boards for review by senior staff.Material and construction specifications — compile preliminary lists of materials and fabrication methods based on templates and guidance provided by experienced colleagues.Design submission packages — assemble draft plans, drawings, and supporting documentation for internal review prior to formal client or director approval processes.
developing
Set design concepts — develop cohesive design proposals based on independent evaluation of scripts, location scouting data, and production budgets with reduced oversight on mid-scale theatrical productions.Scale working drawings and floor plans — produce detailed, dimensionally accurate CAD drawings of sets, scenery, and properties that meet contractor and production team requirements on live-stage projects.Exhibit preliminary renderings — prepare polished digital renderings of proposed exhibits including construction details, material specifications, lighting diagrams, and special effects notes for client presentations.Design adaptation under constraints — revise approved concept plans to accommodate budget reductions, fabrication restrictions, or venue limitations without compromising core design intent.Historical and stylistic research — independently consult period archives, architectural databases, and subject-matter experts to validate design authenticity across film, television, or museum exhibit contexts.Cross-functional coordination — attend and actively contribute to rehearsals and production meetings, synthesizing input from directors, technical directors, and fabricators to refine design solutions.Client consultation facilitation — lead structured discovery conversations with clients and exhibit staff to clarify content themes, promotional requirements, and spatial constraints for mid-size exhibit commissions.Time and project scheduling — manage personal workload and deliverable timelines using project management tools to meet multi-phase production deadlines reliably.Presentation delivery — communicate design rationale, material choices, and visual concepts clearly to directors, curators, and non-specialist stakeholders using presentation and rendering software.Fabrication coordination — collaborate with construction and properties teams by providing annotated drawings and material specifications that enable accurate, on-budget set fabrication.
proficient
Comprehensive set design development — independently originate and refine full set designs across diverse genres, integrating script analysis, budget modeling, location evaluation, and creative vision on major film, television, or theatrical productions.Complex working drawing packages — author complete, construction-ready drawing sets including detailed floor plans, elevations, and property specifications that guide fabrication teams across large-scale, multi-set productions.Advanced exhibit design systems — develop sophisticated exhibit environments with integrated special effects, dynamic lighting schemes, and interactive elements, translating client briefs into fully realized spatial experiences.Non-routine design problem solving — resolve unexpected structural, budgetary, or logistical constraints mid-production by applying critical thinking and deep domain knowledge without escalation to senior leadership.Multi-period historical accuracy — synthesize archival research, expert consultation, and primary sources to achieve verifiable period authenticity across productions requiring exacting cultural and architectural fidelity.Negotiation and plan approval — present, defend, and negotiate design plans with studio executives, institutional clients, and regulatory bodies, securing approvals while managing competing stakeholder expectations.Full production lifecycle management — oversee design development from initial concept through strike, coordinating scenic artists, prop masters, lighting designers, and construction crews across all production phases.Technology integration in design workflow — leverage the full suite of CAD, 3D rendering, video editing, and database tools to produce high-fidelity design documentation and immersive client presentations autonomously.Budget analysis and value engineering — evaluate cost-versus-design-impact trade-offs across entire productions, reallocating resources to protect creative priorities while maintaining fiscal accountability.Cross-disciplinary communication — translate complex spatial and aesthetic design decisions into clear written reports, technical specifications, and verbal briefings accessible to engineers, curators, producers, and executives.
advanced
Organizational design vision — establish the creative philosophy, aesthetic standards, and design methodology for an entire studio, production company, or cultural institution, shaping output across multiple concurrent projects.Strategic budget leadership — develop and defend multi-million-dollar design budgets at the executive level, aligning resource allocation with organizational priorities across annual production slates or exhibit programs.Talent development and mentorship — design structured career pathways, mentorship programs, and professional development curricula that grow emerging and mid-level designers into autonomous, high-performing contributors.Institutional client relationship management — build and sustain long-term partnerships with major broadcasters, museum networks, and theatrical producers by demonstrating sustained creative excellence and strategic alignment.Industry standards advancement — contribute to the evolution of professional practice by authoring white papers, presenting at international design conferences, or serving on accreditation and standards bodies for set and exhibit design.Cross-organizational design coordination — lead integrated design teams spanning architecture, engineering, technology, and narrative disciplines on flagship cultural, commercial, or broadcast projects of national or international significance.Innovation culture cultivation — champion the adoption of emerging technologies—immersive rendering, AR/VR spatial planning, parametric design—across an organization's design practice to sustain competitive differentiation.Risk and contingency governance — establish organizational protocols for identifying and mitigating design, fabrication, and procurement risks across high-stakes, time-critical production environments.Policy and ethical design advocacy — advise institutional leadership on inclusive design principles, cultural sensitivity standards, and sustainable material practices that align exhibit and set work with organizational values.Legacy project stewardship — lead landmark productions or permanent exhibit installations that define institutional identity, earning critical recognition and serving as enduring benchmarks for the discipline.
Also known as
40 alternate job titles map to this occupation.
Miniature Set DesignerExhibit Technician (Exhibit Tech)Supervisor, Scenic ArtsDisplay DesignerExhibit DesignerExhibitions CoordinatorHistorian Apprentice (Air Force 3H031)Theater Set Production DesignerCombat Graphics Specialist (Marine Corps 4512)Historian (Air Force 3H0X1)Presentation SpecialistHistorian Helper (Air Force 3H011)Museum Exhibit DesignerHistorian Superintendent (Air Force 3H091)Installations DesignerHistorian Craftsman (Air Force 3H071)Event DecoratorArt DirectorExhibit PreparatorSet DecoratorDesignerExhibits SpecialistStage Scenery DesignerRoom DesignerExhibits ManagerStage Set DesignerExhibitorHistorical Society Window DresserProjection DesignerCreatorHistorian Journeyman (Air Force 3H051)Scenic DesignerEvent DesignerSet DesignerDisplay CoordinatorLighting DesignerAdvanced Visual Information-Graphics Marine (Marine Corps 4513)Exhibit SpecialistExhibit CoordinatorFood Stylist