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Set Designer: Occupations in Alberta - alis
Do you like designing new worlds? Are you creative and artistic? Do you have a good sense of space and great interpersonal skills? Then you could set the stage for a career as a set designer.
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Occupations in Alberta
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Set Designer

Set designers design and plan settings, scenic environments and properties (props) for theatre, dance, opera, television, video, gaming and film productions.

Contents Expand All
Also Known As

Designer, Production Designer, Scenographer, Stage Designer, Theatre Designer

NOC Codes

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
Updated May 20, 2021

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.

Working Conditions
Updated May 20, 2021
  • Strength Required Lift up to 5 kg

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.

Interests & Abilities

In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2006 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups. If there are multiple related NOC groups, select a NOC heading to learn about each one.

Theatre Designers

2006 NOC: 5243.1

Interest Codes

Interest Codes for This NOC Group
INNOVATIVE

Interest in synthesizing information to create settings, scenic environments, properties, costumes and lighting for theatre, film, video productions, operas and ballets; and in preparing working drawings, creating special stage lighting patterns and selecting colours, decor and accessories

METHODICAL

Interest in precision working with tools to construct miniature sets in cardboard, plaster and other materials; and in sketching and painting plans and submitting them to directors and producers for approval

DIRECTIVE

Interest in speaking with workers when overseeing construction of sets

Your Interest Codes

To identify or change your interest codes, complete the Interests Exercise in CAREERinsite.

Reading Interest Codes
A Quick Guide

The interest code helps you figure out if you’d like to work in a particular occupation. 

It’s based on the Canadian Work Preference Inventory (CWPI), which measures 5 occupational interests: Directive, Innovative, Methodical, Objective, and Social.

Each set of 3 interest codes for this NOC group is listed in order of importance.

A code in capital letters means it’s a strong fit for the occupation.

A code in all lowercase letters means the fit is weaker.

Learn About Interests

Abilities

Typical ability expectations for this NOC group
Your abilities

To fill in or change the values for your abilities, complete the Abilities Exercise in CAREERinsite.

Mental Abilities

General Learning Ability

Verbal Ability

Numerical Ability

Visual Abilities

Spatial Perception

Form Perception

Clerical Perception

Physical Abilities

Motor Coordination

Finger Dexterity

Manual Dexterity

Understanding Abilities

A Quick Guide

You are born with abilities that help you process certain types of information and turn it into action. These abilities influence which skills you can learn more easily.

The abilities or aptitudes shown for this NOC group come from the General Aptitude Test Battery (GATB). The GATB measures 9 aptitudes. It groups them into 3 categories: mental, visual, and physical.

The abilities scores range from 1 to 5, with 5 being stronger.

Learn About Abilities

Traits & Skills
Updated May 20, 2021

Set designers need:

  • Creativity and artistic vision
  • Design rendering skills, both for physical construction plans and digital design
  • Management skills, to coordinate builders and stick to timelines and budget
  • Flexibility to adapt to problems and changing ideas
  • Spatial awareness
  • Physical fitness to work long hours
  • Self-discipline in time management and work ethics
  • Communication and interpersonal skills required to work effectively with others and market their ideas or services
  • An ability to work under pressure

They should enjoy synthesizing information, experimenting and finding innovative solutions to problems, doing precise work with tools and equipment, and supervising the work of others.

In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2016 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups. If there are multiple related NOC groups, select a NOC heading to learn about each one.

Top 10 Skills Employers Are Looking For

Theatre, fashion, exhibit and other creative designers

2016 NOC: 5243

This chart shows which job skills are currently in highest demand for this occupational group. It was created using this occupation's 50 most recent Alberta job postings, collected between Feb 02, 2022 and Nov 20, 2024.

Review these skills to learn:

  • Whether or not this occupation matches your skill set
  • What training you may need to get these skills
  • What skills to highlight in your resumé, cover letter, and interview.
Tasks: Exhibit designers plan and develop permanent and temporary or moveable exhibits and displays for museum exhibitions, trade shows, conventions, retail spaces and other exhibitions
Attention to detail
Tasks: Theatre designers design and create settings, scenic environments, properties, costumes and lighting for theatre, film and video productions, operas and ballets
Reliability
Team player
Tasks: Fashion designers design and create clothing and accessories for men, women and children
Organized
Women's clothing
Dependability
Experience: 1 year to less than 2 years
Tasks: Exhibit designers plan and develop permanent and temporary or moveable exhibits and displays for museum exhibitions, trade shows, conventions, retail spaces and other exhibitions 19
Attention to detail 19
Tasks: Theatre designers design and create settings, scenic environments, properties, costumes and lighting for theatre, film and video productions, operas and ballets 18
Construction Specialization: Reliability 18
Construction Specialization: Team player 17
Tasks: Fashion designers design and create clothing and accessories for men, women and children 16
Construction Specialization: Organized 15
Women's clothing 13
Construction Specialization: Dependability 13
Experience: 1 year to less than 2 years 12
Educational Requirements
Updated May 20, 2021
  • Minimum Education Varies

Set designers must be able to interpret scripts and written texts into visual images, and convert those images into functional set designs. This requires:

  • A working knowledge of artistic principles (such as colour and composition), theatre history, art history, architecture and historical interiors
  • An understanding of the principles of interior design and construction
  • An understanding of a wide variety of construction materials and their properties and limitations
  • A sense of architectural style
  • Drawing, painting and modelling skills
  • An ability to draft working drawings and produce renderings (computer-aided drafting skills are a definite asset)
  • Practical knowledge gained from related experience (such as carpentry)

Training in drafting, computer-aided drafting, 3D modelling and design, freehand drawing, scenic painting and scale model making are essential.

This is a very specialized field: a bachelor’s or master’s degree in fine art with a specialization in set design, or training at a specialized conservatory such as the National Theatre School of Canada is recommended.

Related Education

The following schools offer programs or courses that are related to this occupation but are not required to enter the field.

Alberta University of the Arts
Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity
Grant MacEwan University
Medicine Hat College
Northwestern Polytechnic
Red Deer Polytechnic
Thompson Rivers University
University of Alberta
University of Calgary
University of Lethbridge

To expand or narrow your program options, visit Post-Secondary Programs and start your search with:

Completing a program does not guarantee entrance into an occupation. Before enrolling in an education program, prospective students should look into various sources for education options and employment possibilities. For example, contact associations and employers in this field.

Certification Requirements
Updated May 20, 2021
  • Certification Not Regulated

There is currently no provincial legislation regulating this occupation in Alberta.

Employment & Advancement
Updated May 20, 2021

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.

Theatre, fashion, exhibit and other creative designers
2016 NOC: 5243

81.9% of people in this occupational group work in:

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 examples, see Note.

Look for Work

Think Industries and Sectors When Planning Your Career

Jobs and occupations are changing every day. It can be hard to know what the future of work looks like—but not impossible. Look at industries and sectors for possible inspiration, insights, and opportunities.
3-Year Job Market Forecast

This section shows the short-term demand forecasted for this occupation in Alberta over a 3-year period. It also shows the number of people employed in the occupation.

In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2021 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups.

Theatre, fashion, exhibit and other creative designers
2021 NOC: 53123
Lower
Demand
< 1500
Employed

Source: 2023-2025 Alberta Short-Term Employment Forecast

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 examples, see Note.

To see data for all occupations, visit Occupations in Demand.

5-Year Job Market Forecast

This section shows the employment outlook for this occupation in Alberta over a 5-year period.

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

  • 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
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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.

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

Theatre, fashion, exhibit and other creative designers
2016 NOC: 5243
2.1%
Annual Growth
(Below Average)
13
New Positions

Source: 2021-2025 Alberta Regional Occupational Demand Outlook

Annual growth is from 2021 to 2025. New positions created each year are in addition to job openings created by employment turnover.

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 examples, see Note.

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

Related Alberta Job Postings
Wage & Salary
Updated May 20, 2021

Most set designers work on a contract basis. Their incomes therefore vary considerably from one designer to another and from one year to another.

Related High School Subjects
  • English Language Arts
  • Fine Arts
    • Drama
    • Visual Arts
  • Media, Design and Communication Arts
    • Design Studies
  • Science
    • Physics
Related Post-Secondary Field of Study
  • Communications
  • Fine Arts and Performing Arts
  • Human Ecology, Fashion and Food Sciences
Other Sources of Information
Updated May 20, 2021

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.

Updated Mar 31, 2021. The information contained in this profile is current as of the dates shown. Salary, employment outlook, and educational program information may change without notice. It is advised that you confirm this information before making any career decisions.

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