Set and Exhibit Designers

Set and Exhibit Designers typically perform the following tasks: • 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. • Confer with clients and staff to gather information about exhibit space, proposed themes and content, timelines, budgets, materials, or promotion requirements. • Research architectural and stylistic elements appropriate to the time period to be depicted, consulting experts for information, as necessary. • Observe sets during rehearsals in order to ensure that set elements do not interfere with performance aspects such as cast movement and camera angles. • Collaborate with those in charge of lighting and sound so that those production aspects can be coordinated with set designs or exhibit layouts. • Select set props, such as furniture, pictures, lamps, and rugs. • Design and build scale models of set designs, or miniature sets used in filming backgrounds or special effects. • Examine objects to be included in exhibits to plan where and how to display them. • Assign staff to complete design ideas and prepare sketches, illustrations, and detailed drawings of sets, or graphics and animation. • Inspect installed exhibits for conformance to specifications and satisfactory operation of special-effects components. • Estimate set- or exhibit-related costs, including materials, construction, and rental of props or locations. • Plan for location-specific issues, such as space limitations, traffic flow patterns, and safety concerns. • Acquire, or arrange for acquisition of, specimens or graphics required to complete exhibits. • Design and produce displays and materials that can be used to decorate windows, interior displays, or event locations, such as streets and fairgrounds. • Direct and coordinate construction, erection, or decoration activities to ensure that sets or exhibits meet design, budget, and schedule requirements.