Set Designer

In Canada, the federal government groups and organizes occupations based on a National Occupational Classification (NOC) system. This alis occupation may not reflect the entire NOC group it is part of. Data for the NOC group can apply across multiple occupations.

The NOC system is updated every 5 years to reflect changes in the labour market. Government forms and labour market data may group and refer to an occupation differently, depending on the system used.

Here is how this occupation has been classified over time.

2006 NOC

• 5243.1: Theatre Designers

2006 NOC-S

• F143: Theatre, Fashion, Exhibit and Other Creative Designers

2011 NOC

• 5243: Theatre, fashion, exhibit and other creative designers

2016 NOC

• 5243: Theatre, fashion, exhibit and other creative designers

2021 NOC

• 53123: Theatre, fashion, exhibit and other creative designers

2023 OaSIS

• 53123.01: Theatre designers

Duties and responsibilities vary from one type of production to another but, in general, set designers:

• Read and analyze the script and consult with the director and others to develop themes, objectives and design concepts
• Use a variety of artistic techniques to explore traditional, conventional or abstract methods to visualize the production
• Research architectural styles and building interiors appropriate to the time period depicted
• Research stylistic elements such as paintings and art objects
• Propose concepts that may include the use of metaphorical, psychological or mythological approaches
• Create technical drawings, sketches or scale models to work out lighting, cameras and prop placements with other department heads
• Develop production plans for the construction crews or digital modellers to build from
• Work within budget, labour and space restrictions
• Select materials and supervise the construction and painting of sets and props
• Attend rehearsals and oversee the integration of set design with performance

Most set designers supervise the construction and painting of sets and, in small theatres, help with these activities as well.

For many film, video or gaming productions, set designers may be required to develop partial or full virtual sets, using digital 3D modelling software to build a computer-rendered scene. Where real life actors or their recorded movements will be merged into these digital sets, set designers often are required to construct green screen sets. These special sets have basic key objects or shapes built with the exact same dimensions and locations physically as are modelled on the digital set. The shapes are then covered with a special green material that allows footage of those areas to be erased using computer software, and replaced by footage from the 3D modelled version of the set. The green screen sets have many spatial coordinate markers placed at key locations throughout the set (which remain visible to the camera, and special mapping software), so the footage and camera movements from the real-life performance can be accurately reproduced and mapped onto the digitally-rendered set.

Set designers often work long hours to meet deadlines. Most work on a freelance basis out of their homes or studios during the creation phase of a production. Later, they may work indoors or outdoors to supervise set construction. Set designers working on film or television productions are often required to be on hand to supervise the current day’s set location during shooting, while also remotely managing the construction of sets for the next day’s shooting as well. Sets for touring shows or concerts require repeated management of set-ups and take-downs for each venue.

Due to the freelance nature of the occupation, a designer may have to work on many projects at once. Projects may be at different stages of production and for a variety of companies. This may result in long periods of working at home or at a personal studio, and long periods of travelling.

Set designers work for:

• Theatre companies
• Film and television production companies
• Opera and dance companies
• Festival and concert producers
• Computer gaming companies
• Special event coordinators

Some theatre companies employ resident designers, but most set designers work as freelancers and negotiate contracts for specific projects. Therefore, aspiring set designers need to acquire related experience and develop a portfolio of their work. Working for amateur theatre companies or cable television stations provides valuable experience.

Graduates of design programs usually start as designers for smaller productions or as assistant set designers in larger ones. Advancement generally takes the form of more demanding assignments. Some set designers teach in university and college programs.

Industry Concentration

This section shows the industries where the majority of people in this occupation work. The data is based on the 2016 Census.

In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2016 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups.

In the 5243: Theatre, fashion, exhibit and other creative designers occupational group, 81.9% of people work in:

• Retail Trade
• Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services
• Manufacturing

Employment Outlook

Employment outlook is influenced by a wide variety of factors including:

©

iStock.com/filadendron

OCCinfo

Employment Outlook

Employment outlook is influenced by a wide variety of factors. Learn how these factors can affect your career decisions.

• Time of year (for seasonal jobs)
• Location in Alberta
• Employment turnover (when people leave existing positions)
• Occupational growth (when new positions are created)
• Size of the occupation
• Trends and events that affect overall employment, especially in the industry or industries from the previous list

In Alberta, the 5243: Theatre, fashion, exhibit and other creative designers occupational group is expected to have a below-average annual growth of 2.1% from 2021 to 2025. In addition to job openings created by employment turnover, 13 new positions are forecasted to be created within this occupational group each year.

Note
NOC groups often include several related occupations. Although there is labour market data for the larger NOC group, this occupation makes up only a part of that group. It means data for this occupation may be different than the data shown. For example, only some of the new positions to be created will be for this occupation. It also applies to other data for the NOC group such as number of people employed.

Source: 2021-2025 Alberta Regional Occupational Demand Outlook

Occupational growth may be highly influenced by the number of productions companies will do in a year, and the scale of those productions.

Associated Designers of Canada (ADC) website: designers.ca

Canadian Institute for Theatre Technology website: www.citt.org

International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE) Local 212 in Calgary website: www.iatse212.com

International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE) Local 210 in Edmonton website: www.iatse210.com

Get information and referrals about career, education, and employment options from Alberta Supports.