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Public Administration & LegalISCO 2654

Production designer

A production designer is a person who is responsible for the complete look of a television programme, a series, a film or a commercial: its style, its colouring and its locations.

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Rate 5 of the 16 essential skills of this occupation (European ESCO data). No account needed.

manage budgets

consult with production director

manage staff

provide input to collaborators to guide their work

develop the look of a production

About production designer

The designer creates the visual concept for the entire production, which covers set design, lighting, costumes and camera angles. The designer analyses the script and develops the visual elements of the production from it. The designer makes sketches and drawings, works out the colouring and carries out location research to establish what exists, what can be adapted and what has to be built.

The designer works with the director and with the other designers, and oversees the art department, which includes supervising the costume staff and adapting the designers' output to the venue where the production is performed or shot.

The designer advises the director on props and stage settings and researches design trends. The designer manages budgets and analyses logistical needs with the production manager: what fits through a door, what can be transported, how long a set takes to strike.

European Skills Framework

Skills and knowledge areas required for this occupation based on European classification.

Essential (16)

film production processfilm production processThe various development stages of making a film, such as scriptwriting, financing, shooting, editing, and distribution.CAD softwareCAD softwareThe computer-aided design (CAD) software for creating, modifying, analysing or optimising a design.manage budgetsmanage budgetsPlan, monitor, report on the budget and prepare set production budgets.consult with production directorconsult with production directorConsult with the director, producer and clients throughout the production and post-production process.manage staffmanage staffManage employees and subordinates, working in a team or individually, to maximise their performance and contribution. Schedule their work and activities, give instructions, motivate and direct the wor...provide input to collaborators to guide their workprovide input to collaborators to guide their workDiscuss and exchange ideas related to the project with the team. Show the raw material to each designer and explain desires, expectations and aesthetic or technical concerns. Review proposals submitte...develop the look of a productiondevelop the look of a productionDevelop the overall look or style of a theatre, opera, television, or film set.supervise costume workerssupervise costume workersCoordinate and direct costume workers in the process of drawing, cutting and sewing costumes and samples.analyse logistic needsanalyse logistic needsAnalysing the logistic needs of all the different departments on the organisational level.adapt designers’ work to the performance venueadapt designers’ work to the performance venueReorient the work of performance collaborators, such as musicians, dancers, actors as well as artistic and technical collaborators, such as set designers, lighting operators and stage managers.analyse a scriptanalyse a scriptBreak down a script by analysing the dramaturgy, form, themes and structure of a script. Conduct relevant research if necessary.conduct research on trends in designconduct research on trends in designConduct research on present and future evolutions and trends in design, and associated target market features.create production schedulescreate production schedulesCreate the timeline for the production of a motion picture, broadcast program or artistic production. Decide how long each phase will take and what its requirements are. Take into account the existing...use CAD softwareuse CAD softwareUse computer-aided design (CAD) systems to assist in the creation, modification, analysis, or optimisation of a design.develop design conceptdevelop design conceptResearch information to develop new ideas and concepts for the design of a specific production. Read scripts and consult directors and other production staff members, in order to develop design concep...estimate duration of workestimate duration of workProduce accurate calculations on time necessary to fulfil future technical tasks based on past and present information and observations or plan the estimated duration of individual tasks in a given pr...
Optional (20) — show
photographyphotographyArt and practice of creating aesthetically appealing images by recording light or electromagnetic radiation.lighting techniqueslighting techniquesThe characteristics of techniques used to create atmospheres and effects on camera or on stage; the equipment required and appropriate setup to use.work with the camera crewwork with the camera crewWork with the crew responsible for the camera operation and movement to get directions from them on where to stand for an aesthetic result.design propsdesign propsDraw prop sketches and define prop materials and building methods.make set construction drawingsmake set construction drawingsVisually describe the various pieces of the set in order to develop the plan and to share with others.make photographic storyboardsmake photographic storyboardsTake photographs of potential locations. Create a photographic storyboard to show findings to producer and director.recruit employeesrecruit employeesHire new employees by scoping the job role, advertising, performing interviews and selecting staff in line with company policy and legislation.attend rehearsalsattend rehearsalsAttend rehearsals in order to adapt sets, costumes, make-up, lighting, camera set up, etc.work with the director of photographywork with the director of photographyWork with the director of photography on the artistic and creative vision that needs to be followed during production of a movie or theatre production.select costumesselect costumesFind the right costume for a certain role and actor.use storyboardsuse storyboardsUse a graphic presentation to convey, shot by shot, your creative vision and ideas on how a motion picture should look in terms of light, sound, visuals, costumes or make-up.develop a specific interior designdevelop a specific interior designDevelop a conceptual interior design fitting the global mood the room(s) must convey, according to the quality standards agreed on. Adhere to the order of a client for a domestic area or to the concep...arrange permitsarrange permitsArrange permits for shooting a film on location. Consult with owners and local authorities.create set modelscreate set modelsCreate three-dimensional models of the envisioned set layout.collaborate on costume and make-up for performancescollaborate on costume and make-up for performancesWork with the staff responsible for costumes and make up in line with their creative vision and obtain directions from them about how make-up and costumes should look.make film shooting schedulemake film shooting scheduleDecide when the shooting will start on each location, how long it will take, and when to move to another location.search for a suitable filming locationsearch for a suitable filming locationSearch for locations suitable for film or photo shoots.work with the lighting crewwork with the lighting crewWork with the crew responsible for the lighting setup and operation to get directions from them on where to stand for an aesthetic result.ensure visual quality of the setensure visual quality of the setInspect and amend the scenery and set-dressing to make sure the visual quality is optimal with in constraints of time, budget and manpower.draw design sketchesdraw design sketchesCreate rough pictures to assist in creating and communicating design concepts.

Related Occupations

Occupations that need many of the same essential skills, so the move between them is shortest.

art director5 shared essential skillsassistant video and motion picture director4 shared essential skillsdirector of photography4 shared essential skillsproducer4 shared essential skillsanimation layout artist3 shared essential skillscomputer-aided design operator3 shared essential skillscostume designer3 shared essential skillscreative director3 shared essential skills

Frequently asked questions

What does a production designer do?

Production designers are responsible for the complete look (style, colouring and locations) of television programmes, series, motion pictures and commercials. They create the visual concept for the entire production such as set design, lighting, costumes and camera angles. Production designers work together with the director, designers and oversee the art department. They also create sketches, drawings, do colouring and location research and advise props and stage settings to the director.

What skills does a production designer need?

A production designer needs 16 essential skills, including film production process, CAD software, manage budgets, consult with production director, manage staff.

Will AI replace production designer jobs?

The AI disruption score for production designer is 25/100 (low risk). Skills most exposed to automation: manage budgets, create production schedules, use storyboards. Most resilient: adapt designers’ work to the performance venue, collaborate on costume and make-up for performances, work with the lighting crew.

Quick Facts

SectorPublic Administration & Legal
ISCO GroupLegal, social and cultural professionals
Essential Skills16

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