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 ManagementSpeakingOperations AnalysisCritical ThinkingCoordinationJudgment and Decision MakingComplex Problem SolvingWritingMonitoringActive LearningSystems AnalysisSocial PerceptivenessService OrientationPersuasionNegotiationMathematicsInstructingSystems EvaluationManagement of Personnel ResourcesLearning StrategiesManagement of Material ResourcesManagement of Financial ResourcesQuality Control AnalysisOperations MonitoringTechnology DesignEquipment SelectionScienceProgrammingOperation and ControlTroubleshootingInstallationRepairingEquipment Maintenance
Knowledge areas
Fine ArtsDesignComputers and ElectronicsBuilding and ConstructionHistory and ArcheologyEnglish LanguageCommunications and MediaProduction and ProcessingMathematicsAdministration and ManagementEngineering and TechnologyMechanicalSociology and AnthropologyPsychologyEducation and TrainingCustomer and Personal ServicePhysicsPhilosophy and TheologyGeographyEconomics and AccountingPublic Safety and SecurityAdministrativePersonnel and Human ResourcesSales and MarketingTelecommunicationsForeign LanguageTransportationChemistryLaw and GovernmentTherapy and CounselingMedicine and DentistryBiologyFood Production
Technology & tools
Act-3D Quest3DAdobe AcrobatAdobe After EffectsAdobe Creative Cloud softwareAdobe DirectorAdobe IllustratorAdobe InDesignAdobe PhotoshopAutoDesSys form ZAutodesk 3ds MaxAutodesk AutoCADAutodesk MayaAutodesk RevitComputer aided design and drafting CADD softwareCorel CorelDraw Graphics SuiteDassault Systemes SolidWorksFigure 53 QLabGraphics softwareMaxon Cinema 4DMcNeel Rhinoceros 3DMicrosoft AccessMicrosoft ExcelMicrosoft Office softwareMicrosoft OutlookMicrosoft PowerPointMicrosoft WordNemetschek Vectorworks SpotlightOracle DatabaseStructured query language SQLTrimble SketchUp ProUNIX
Representative tasks
Thinking CreativelyGetting InformationDrafting, Laying Out, and Specifying Technical Devices, Parts, and EquipmentCommunicating with Supervisors, Peers, or SubordinatesEstablishing and Maintaining Interpersonal RelationshipsMaking Decisions and Solving ProblemsOrganizing, Planning, and Prioritizing WorkWorking with ComputersUpdating and Using Relevant KnowledgeScheduling Work and ActivitiesCoordinating the Work and Activities of OthersIdentifying Objects, Actions, and EventsGuiding, Directing, and Motivating SubordinatesDeveloping and Building TeamsDeveloping Objectives and StrategiesMonitoring Processes, Materials, or SurroundingsCommunicating with People Outside the OrganizationInterpreting the Meaning of Information for OthersEstimating the Quantifiable Characteristics of Products, Events, or InformationResolving Conflicts and Negotiating with OthersPerforming Administrative ActivitiesCoaching and Developing OthersTraining and Teaching OthersMonitoring and Controlling ResourcesJudging the Qualities of Objects, Services, or PeopleProcessing InformationDocumenting/Recording InformationAnalyzing Data or InformationSelling or Influencing OthersProviding Consultation and Advice to OthersHandling and Moving ObjectsEvaluating Information to Determine Compliance with StandardsInspecting Equipment, Structures, or MaterialsPerforming General Physical ActivitiesPerforming for or Working Directly with the PublicStaffing Organizational UnitsControlling Machines and ProcessesAssisting and Caring for OthersOperating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or EquipmentRepairing and Maintaining Mechanical Equipment
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
30 alternate job titles map to this occupation.
CreatorDesignerDisplay CoordinatorDisplay DesignerEvent DecoratorEvent DesignerExhibit CoordinatorExhibit DesignerExhibit PreparatorExhibit SpecialistExhibit Technician (Exhibit Tech)Exhibitions CoordinatorExhibitorExhibits ManagerExhibits SpecialistFood StylistHistorical Society Window DresserInstallations DesignerLighting DesignerMiniature Set DesignerMuseum Exhibit DesignerPresentation SpecialistProjection DesignerRoom DesignerScenic DesignerSet DecoratorSet DesignerStage Scenery DesignerStage Set DesignerTheater Set Production Designer