Careers · Explore one path
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.
Other titles employers use
Designer · Display Coordinator · Exhibit Coordinator · Exhibit Designer · Exhibit Preparator · Historical Society Window Dresser · Installations Designer · Projection Designer
Inside the work
What you would actually do.
6 responsibilities that define the role, before job titles and workplaces change the details.
- 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.
Who it suits
Would this work hold your attention?
This career often appeals to people drawn to creative, persuading and practical work.
- Creative
- Making, designing, writing, or performing without one set answer
- Persuading
- Leading, selling, starting projects, or making a case
- Practical
- Building, repairing, using tools, or working outdoors
Skills and strengths
What you would get good at.
Compare the skills the work relies on, the subjects behind it, and the abilities that make it easier to learn.
Core skills
- Reading Comprehension
- Active Listening
- Speaking
- Critical Thinking
- Operations Analysis
- Time Management
Subjects to know
- Fine Arts
- Design
- Computers and Electronics
- Building and Construction
- History and Archeology
Useful strengths
- Fluency of Ideas
- Oral Comprehension
- Visualization
- Written Comprehension
- Originality
Working day
Picture yourself doing it.
These measures show how much of the day involves people, movement, conversation, and hands-on work.
| Measure | Out of 5 | What that means here |
|---|---|---|
| Close to other people | 3.1 | Shared rooms, but not shoulder to shoulder |
| On your feet | 2.6 | Mostly seated |
| Talking face to face | 4.6 | Continuous — the job is conversations |
| Working with your hands | 3.7 | Some of the day |
Preparation
How people prepare for this work.
Employers usually ask for a bachelor's degree. Other routes may also lead into the field.
- A four-year degree 33%
- A master's degree 33%
- A doctorate or professional degree 19%
- A certificate or some college 10%
- A two-year degree 5%
Tools of the work
Technology you may use.
- Computer aided design CAD software
- Graphics or photo imaging software
- Data base user interface and query software
- Video creation and editing software
- Document management software
- Desktop publishing software
- Spreadsheet software
- Office suite software
Opportunity near you
See where this work is growing.
Choose a state to compare the size of the field, annual openings, and expected hiring change.
- People doing this work
- 8,200
- Job openings each year
- 700
- Expected hiring change, 2022–2032
- 12.3%
Compare every available state
| State | People doing it | Job openings each year | Expected change |
|---|---|---|---|
| California | 8,200 | 700 | 12.3% |
| New York | 1,630 | 0 | — |
| Georgia | 1,270 | 110 | 14.4% |
| Florida | 970 | 90 | 18.3% |
| Illinois | 920 | 70 | 2.2% |
| Texas | 860 | 80 | 16.2% |
| Washington | 800 | 80 | 14.3% |
| Missouri | 670 | 60 | 8.1% |
| Pennsylvania | 670 | 60 | 6.3% |
| Tennessee | 660 | 60 | 32.0% |
| Louisiana | 650 | 50 | 1.6% |
| Kansas | 630 | 50 | 8.6% |
| Utah | 560 | 50 | 33.3% |
| Ohio | 540 | 40 | 5.9% |
| Minnesota | 510 | 40 | 8.5% |
| North Carolina | 500 | 40 | 13.6% |
| Arizona | 450 | 40 | 15.4% |
| District of Columbia | 450 | 40 | 18.4% |
| Michigan | 430 | 40 | 4.9% |
| Maryland | 420 | 40 | 10.5% |
| New Jersey | 380 | 30 | 5.6% |
| Colorado | 370 | 30 | 15.6% |
| Indiana | 370 | 30 | 8.8% |
| Alabama | 360 | 30 | 9.1% |
| Virginia | 330 | 30 | 6.5% |
| New Mexico | 210 | 20 | 16.7% |
| Kentucky | 170 | 10 | 13.3% |
| Massachusetts | 170 | 10 | 13.3% |
| Oklahoma | 160 | 10 | 6.7% |
| Nebraska | 150 | 10 | 15.4% |
| Connecticut | 140 | 10 | 16.7% |
| Wisconsin | 140 | 10 | 16.7% |
| Rhode Island | 80 | 10 | — |
| Iowa | 70 | 10 | 16.7% |
| South Carolina | 50 | 0 | 25.0% |
| Maine | 40 | 0 | — |
| North Dakota | 30 | 0 | — |
Career to college
Build a path toward this work.
Start with a related major, then compare colleges where students complete that field.
Where to study
Colleges with strong activity in these fields.
Start with program size, admission, and likely cost. Open a college for the full picture.
Savannah College of Art and Design
- Degrees each year
- 975
- Admit rate
- 84%
- Annual cost after aid
- $49,000
Southern New Hampshire University
- Degrees each year
- 662
- Admit rate
- 96%
- Annual cost after aid
- $37,000
Fashion Institute of Technology
- Degrees each year
- 633
- Admit rate
- 58%
- Annual cost after aid
- $20,000
The New School
- Degrees each year
- 566
- Admit rate
- 63%
- Annual cost after aid
- $56,000
Pratt Institute-Main
- Degrees each year
- 369
- Admit rate
- 53%
- Annual cost after aid
- $49,000
Virginia Commonwealth University
- Degrees each year
- 369
- Admit rate
- 93%
- Annual cost after aid
- $21,000
Columbia College Chicago
- Degrees each year
- 398
- Admit rate
- 91%
- Annual cost after aid
- $26,000
Kent State University at Kent
- Degrees each year
- 316
- Admit rate
- 87%
- Annual cost after aid
- $17,000