set designer
Builds theatrical environments
A set designer creates the physical environment for theatrical productions, films, or television shows.
The role involves designing and planning the scenery, backdrops, and spatial elements that establish a production's visual world: The set designer transformed the stage into a 1920s speakeasy.
Set designers work closely with directors to translate scripts into three-dimensional spaces.
Theater accessories or praise
- flatsDwellings or low shoes
- cycloramaCurved infinite-background wall
- scrimLoosely woven stage fabric
- platformsElevated flat surfaces
revolve · trapdoor · set pieces · borders · gobo · backdrops · wagons · turntable
Making rough drawings
- draftingCreating technical blueprints
- blueprintsTechnical construction drawings
- floorplansScaled building diagrams
- scale drawingsProportionally reduced representations
model building · renderings · color palette · budgeting · sourcing · collaboration · research · concept art
Gaseous layer around planets
- moodPrevailing emotional condition
- period styleDesign evoking past era
- textureSurface tactile quality
- color theoryFramework for understanding hues
composition · visual storytelling · authenticity · ambiance · motif · stylization · realism · minimalism
Sawn wood for building
- muslinPlain-woven cotton cloth
- foamBubble-filled substance
- paintColored coating substance
- fabricWoven or knit material
plywood · steel · canvas · hardware · upholstery · plastics · faux finishes · gilding
Creating a film's visual environment
- art directionManaging visual style choices
- location scoutingFinding places to film
- soundstageIndoor film production space
- backlotOutdoor movie-making grounds
miniatures · matte painting · period accuracy · continuity · set dressing · practical effects · studio · pre-production
props
Theater accessories or praise
platforms · revolve · trapdoor · set pieces · borders · gobo · backdrops · wagons · turntable · rigging
sketching
Making rough drawings
- draftingCreating technical blueprints
- blueprintsTechnical construction drawings
- floorplansScaled building diagrams
scale drawings · model building · renderings · color palette · budgeting · sourcing · collaboration · research · concept art · sightlines
atmosphere
Gaseous layer around planets
- moodPrevailing emotional condition
- period styleDesign evoking past era
- textureSurface tactile quality
color theory · composition · visual storytelling · authenticity · ambiance · motif · stylization · realism · minimalism · maximalism
lumber
Sawn wood for building
fabric · plywood · steel · canvas · hardware · upholstery · plastics · faux finishes · gilding · distressing
production design
Creating a film's visual environment
- art directionManaging visual style choices
- location scoutingFinding places to film
- soundstageIndoor film production space
backlot · miniatures · matte painting · period accuracy · continuity · set dressing · practical effects · studio · pre-production · shooting schedule
- space designerslandscape architect, urban planner
- Film Productiondirector, producer, editor, cameraman, crew
- theater termsplay, actors, stage play, limelight, directing
- arts careersactor, actress, artist, author, composer
- creativesartist, artists, painter, painters, illustrators
- designersdesign consultant, Eames, William Morris
set designercostume designer
Creates performance wardrobe
sound designer · lighting designer · makeup artist · hair stylist · prop master
set designerarchitect
Building design professional
interior designer · urban planner · construction foreman · civil engineer
set designeractor
One who portrays characters
performer · lead actor · star · extra · stuntperson
designer, sets, designers, stagehand, art director, costume designer, set design, sound engineer, set designers