How to become a Set and Exhibit Designer

A set and exhibition designer creates the structural sets of television, movie, and theatrical productions as well as special exhibits of every sort. They work in collaboration with directors along with reviewing scripts and planning to execute the style of the set, conduct research on the architectural styles along other important factors. In the end, they are to translate all the collected information into the final set design for use. They work on selecting furniture, wall coverings, floor coverings, and large props that are used to decorate the set. They also keep managing the appropriate era, time period and mood as required by the script along with the director's instructions. It is the selection of backgrounds, lighting, props and other materials to design and create the scenery for stage performance productions. Their work includes preparing rough drafts or scales along with working drawings of sets within the studios including the floor plans or sceneries to be constructed. They must also read the scripts to plan and manage the locations, set, and designs as per requirements. 
 

The core responsibilities of a set and exhibit designer are as follows:

• Gather information about displaying space, timeline or budget along with communicating with the concerned people. 
• Determine the budget, theme, location and design of the set after the script assessment and research.
• Coordinate with the lights and sound department for their role in the project.
•  Make blueprints of the floor plans and other structures that are to be built for the set.
• Align appropriate props for the sets according to the requirements and decide on how and where they are to be displayed like furniture, pictures, lamps, rugs, etc.
• Keep the costume designers as well as makeup artists in the loop to help them stay in touch with the theme.
• Get plans approved and modifications done to stay within the budget and check whether the set designs serve the expected purposes. 
• Oversee the transportation facility as well as setups that are built on the off sites for shooting purposes.
• Supervise the dismantling of sets as well as keeping a count on all the props after the shot is over.

There are a few basic abilities and skills required to become a set and exhibit designer. Along with the use of creativity aspect in a person, the ability to come up with fluent ideas must also be necessarily available. They must also be well prepared with original ideas about a given topic or situation. They will also require the ability to imagine how something might look after that is being rearranged. They must also possess the ability to recognise the problem when something is wrong or likely to go wrong. They must be able to apply general rules to specific problems to provide sensable answers as well as connect pieces of information to get to a solution. They must have the ability to see details at a close range while they observe the sets. They must have an ability to accurately classify similarities and differences between objects and patterns on the sets. They will also require the ability to identify differences between colours, including  different shades of colour as well as the brightness. They do possess the skill of  juggleing many tasks together, in a team, under pressure and in a timely manner. There are a few extra abilities that comes in handy to them like the uses of construction tools, read blueprints, draw set sketches and construct set models is essential too.

Salary for Set and Exhibit Designers in India:

• Minimum Monthly Salary: For entry-level Set and Exhibit Designers or those with limited experience, the monthly salary might be around INR 25,000 to INR 40,000.
• Maximum Monthly Salary: Highly experienced and senior-level Set and Exhibit Designers, especially those working on high-profile projects or with renowned companies, may earn a monthly salary ranging from INR 1 lakh to INR 2 lakhs or more.
• Annual Salary: The annual salary for entry-level Set and Exhibit Designers could be approximately INR 3 lakhs to INR 4.8 lakhs per year. Experienced and successful Set and Exhibit Designers may earn a maximum annual salary ranging from INR 12 lakhs to INR 24 lakhs or more.
• Highest Paying Jobs and Scope: The highest paying jobs for Set and Exhibit Designers in India are typically with well-established event management companies, creative agencies, or large corporations organizing significant events and exhibitions. Set and Exhibit Designers working on prestigious projects, particularly those with unique and innovative design skills, can command higher salaries and benefits. The career scope for Set and Exhibit Designers in India is promising, as the event management industry is overgrowing, and there is an increasing demand for creative and talented designers to create immersive experiences for various events and exhibitions.

Set and exhibit designers have diverse opportunities in various industries requiring their creative skills to design captivating and immersive spaces. Some of the sectors open for set and exhibit designers include:

• Event Management: Set and exhibit designers are in demand in the event management industry to create visually appealing and functional setups for conferences, trade shows, corporate events, and weddings.
• Museums and Cultural Institutions: Museums, art galleries, historical sites, and cultural institutions often hire exhibit designers to create engaging displays for their collections and exhibitions.
• Theatre and Performing Arts: The theatre and performing arts industry relies on set designers to design and construct stage sets that complement the storyline and create the desired atmosphere.
• Trade Shows and Exhibitions: Companies participating in trade shows and expos require skilled exhibit designers to design eye-catching booths and displays to showcase their products and services.
• Retail and Visual Merchandising: Retail companies utilize exhibit designers to create attractive store layouts, window displays, and pop-up shops to enhance the customer experience and drive sales.
• Theme Parks and Entertainment: Theme parks, amusement parks, and entertainment venues employ set and exhibit designers to create themed environments and immersive experiences for visitors.
• Corporate and Brand Events: Corporations often organize brand launches, product showcases, and promotional events where set and exhibit designers play a vital role in creating branded experiences.
• Interior Design: Some set and exhibit designers may find opportunities in the interior design industry, especially for projects that require unique and thematic spaces.
• Television and Film Production: Set designers are essential in the entertainment industry to create sets for TV shows, movies, commercials, and music videos.
• Architecture and Construction: Set and exhibit designers may collaborate with architects and construction teams to design unique interior spaces for commercial buildings, hotels, and public spaces.
• Educational Institutions: Educational institutions, especially those with specialized programs and exhibits, may hire set and exhibit designers to create interactive learning environments.
• Event Planning and Production Companies: Companies specializing in event planning and production often employ set and exhibit designers to bring creative concepts to life.