Set designer

You can study for a higher national diploma or degree in a relevant subject, like:

• fine art
• interior design
• architecture
• 3D design
• theatre design

You could also do a course in performing arts production or design for film and television at some universities, colleges and drama schools.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

• 1 or 2 A levels, or equivalent, for a higher national diploma

• 2 to 3 A levels, or equivalent, for a degree

More Information

• equivalent entry requirements|https://www.gov.uk/what-different-qualification-levels-mean/list-of-qualification-levels
• student finance for fees and living costs|https://www.gov.uk/student-finance
• university courses and entry requirements|https://www.ucas.com/

You could do a creative course at college to learn some of the skills you'll need to get a trainee position.

Courses include:

• production arts practice
• art and design
• photography
• interior design

Entry requirements

Entry requirements for these courses vary.

You could apply to do a Scenic Artist Level 3 Advanced Apprenticeship, or Scenic Construction Technician Level 3 Advanced Apprenticeship.

These can take around 2 to 3 years to complete and are a mix of workplace training and off-site study.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

• 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths, for an advanced apprenticeship

More Information

• equivalent entry requirements|https://www.gov.uk/what-different-qualification-levels-mean/list-of-qualification-levels
• guide to apprenticeships|https://www.gov.uk/apprenticeships-guide

You could get a junior position with a company and work your way up through training and promotion.

For example, you might start as a:

• set designer's assistant
• art department trainee
• assistant prop maker
• TV or film production runner

You'll find it useful to build a portfolio of your design work to show potential employers what you can do.

You can use examples from being involved in:

• student theatre or film
• local amateur or community theatre
• low budget independent films

Career Tips

If you're aged between 16 and 30 and want to learn more about backstage careers in theatre, you could attend workshops and talks run by organisations like TheatreCraft .

Further Information

You can find out more about working in television, theatre and film from:

• ScreenSkills
• Get Into Theatre
• Get Into Film

As a set designer, you could:

• read scripts and discuss the director's vision for the production
• research details that will go into the set design
• work closely with costume, make-up, props, camera and lighting teams
• design scale models to show how sets will look, and make refinements
• oversee the building of sets by your team
• create digital scenery to project onto stage and set backdrops
• make sure sets are built on time and to an agreed budget

You could work in a theatre, in an office, on a film set, at a film studio or in a creative studio.

Your working environment may be physically demanding and outdoors some of the time.