Theatre/television designer

Theatre/television designers design or select exterior and interior scenes for theatrical, television and film productions. They prepare scale models or drawings and supervise the creation of their sets.

Also known as

Stage designer
Television/theatre designer
TV/theatre designer

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. They begin by carrying out detailed research and talking to the director of the programme or production. 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.
Which colour schemes were popular at particular times.

After the research stage, theatre/television designers produce scale models and detailed working drawings. They use computer-aided design (CAD) in their work. These models and drawings 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, theatre/television designers find, buy, or hire props, which they use to dress the sets. At this stage, scenic artists can add all the finishing touches. They paint backcloths and floors, and create finer details such as paintings, tapestries and wall-hangings.

Theatre/television designers need to work out how much their designs will cost, as they usually have budgets to work to. They also need to carry out their activities to given timescales. Theatre/television 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.

Personal qualities and skills

As a theatre/television designer you need:

Creative and artistic skills.
To pay great attention to detail as audiences will spot any inaccuracies.
Knowledge of design-related software and model-making.
Good communication, presentation and negotiation skills.
To keep up to date with new design developments.
Problem-solving skills.
Good organisation and planning skills.
To work to deadlines and budgets.
Good research skills.
An interest in the performing arts.

Self-employed or freelance theatre/television designers will need business and marketing skills.

Pay and opportunities

Pay rates for theatre/television designers vary depending on whether they work in theatre, television or film, and whether they are employed or self-employed. Freelance designers are paid a fee for a particular production that usually lasts six to eight weeks. Freelance rates in television vary depending on the type of production.

Theatre/television designers usually work a basic 40-42-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.

Employers include theatre, television and film production companies. Opportunities for theatre/television designers occur with employers in large towns and cities throughout the UK, where major theatres/TV production centres are located, for example, London, Birmingham, Manchester and Leeds.

Most theatre/television designers work on a self-employed, freelance basis. They are usually employed on short contracts and may move from production to production in theatre, television and film. You can obtain this work through specialist recruitment agencies.

What’s happening in this work area?

Technology has helped to greatly speed up the design process, making it possible for designers to take on many more projects. However, fewer people are now required to complete tasks, resulting in a very competitive recruitment market. Competition for theatre/television designer posts is strong, as there are often more applicants than vacancies.

Where are vacancies advertised?

Vacancies are advertised in the Stage weekly paper, on all the major job boards, and on the Government’s Find a Job service. It’s a good idea to build up a network of relevant contacts, as not all theatre/television design jobs are advertised. Making speculative job applications to potential employers can be useful.

Entry routes and training

Many theatre/television designers enter the industry after a degree, foundation degree or HND in a subject such as theatre design, interior design or architecture. Some people get on to degree courses via a foundation course. There are also specialist courses at postgraduate level. The Society of British Theatre Designers (SBTD) can provide a list of relevant courses.

Many designers become self-employed. With training and experience, it may be possible to move into managerial positions.

Qualifications

For entry to a relevant degree course, you’ll usually need:

Two or more A-levels. Many courses ask that you have at least a B grade in an art-based subject.
Four to five GCSEs at grades 9-4. A pass in English is often required. Subjects like art, drama, and design and technology are useful.

Alternatives to A levels include:

A BTEC level 3 National Diploma in art and design.
An advanced apprenticeship.
International Baccalaureate (IB) diploma.

To enter any course in art and design, you’ll need a portfolio of your work. The usual entry requirements for a relevant Foundation course are:

One to two A-levels. You’ll need an A-level in art or in an art-based subject.
GCSEs at grades 9-4 in four or five subjects.

Adult opportunities

Age limits: 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 are an advantage. To enter the work or relevant courses, you usually need to have a portfolio of work showing your creative ability.

If you don’t have the qualifications needed to enter your chosen degree or HND course, a college or university Access course (e.g. 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. It’s also possible to do a part-time art foundation course, which leads to a degree or HND course. Higher National Certificate (HNC) courses are also available part-time, often in the evenings and/or in the daytime. Universities and colleges of higher education (HE) will usually consider applications from candidates who don’t 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 prefer a postgraduate course in a relevant subject.

Related careers

Artist
Costume designer
Design assistant
Designer
Interior/exhibition designer
Studio/floor manager
Theatre lighting technician