Most commonly reported Work Activities

•   Thinking Creatively Developing, designing, or creating new applications, ideas, relationships, systems, or products, including artistic contributions.
•   Getting Information Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
•   Drafting, Laying Out, and Specifying Technical Devices, Parts, and Equipment Providing documentation, detailed instructions, drawings, or specifications to tell others about how devices, parts, equipment, or structures are to be fabricated, constructed, assembled, modified, maintained, or used.
•   Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
•   Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.
•   Making Decisions and Solving Problems Analysing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
•   Organising, Planning, and Prioritising Work Developing specific goals and plans to prioritise, organise, and accomplish your work.
•   Interacting With Computers Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.
•   Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.
•   Scheduling Work and Activities Scheduling events, programs, and activities, as well as the work of others.

Working Life

Whether for a talent or chat show, or any studio-based production, the production designer’s responsibility is to deliver a distinct look-and-feel for the programme.  The production designer and set designer are usually combined, but are staffed separately on larger productions.

Role and Responsibilities 

• Requires high levels of creativity and skills. 
  
  
• Conceive the visual theme and principal design motifs for the series or programme. 
  
  
• Design and oversee the building of the physical environment as experienced by the audience.  This can be sets, backdrops, and any other specially-produced ‘spaces’ that the presenters and on-screen talent inhabit.

• Production Designers get involved early, during budgeting and cost proposals made by the producer to the commissioner or broadcaster.

• Oversee the team that builds and dresses sets and backdrops throughout their creation.

• Liaise with the creators of any computer graphics for the programme, making sure there is continuity and alignment between the graphic and built elements.

Works with

• Director
• Series Producer
• Broadcaster personnel

Most commonly reported Work 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.

This occupation is typically suited for people with the following Career Interests:

 Creative

Creative people are drawn to careers and activities that enable them to take responsibility for the design, layout or sensory impact of something (visual, auditory etc). They may be atrracted to the traditional artistic pursuits such as painting, sculpture, singing, or music. Or they may show more interest in design activities, such as architecture, animation, or craft areas, such as pottery and ceramics.

Creative people use their personal understanding of people and the world they live in to guide their work. Creative people like to work in unstructured workplaces, enjoy taking risks and prefer a minimum of routine.

 Enterprising

Enterprising people like situations that involve using resources for personal or corporate economic gain. Such people may have an opportunistic frame of mind, and are drawn to commerce, trade and making deals. Some pursue sales and marketing occupations. Many will eventually end up owning their own business, or in management roles in larger organisations. They tend to be very goal-oriented and work best when focused on a target. Some have an entrepreneurial inclination.

Education Route: A degree in Art, Fine Art Degree, or possibly Theatre Studies is likely to be required. Architecture and Interior Design are also relevant.

Career Path to Production Designer - TV Broadcasting: A long period of successful on-the-job experience will have been gained as an understudy to an established production designer, possibly with a broadcaster.

Career Path from Production Designer - TV Broadcasting: Senior Production Designer, Creative Director, leadership roles.