What Is a Production Designer?
Production designers are in charge of creating the look of films and TV series. The position used to be called art director, a term that’s still in use today, but the production designer moniker has been around since 1939, when it was coined to recognize the work done by the artists of Gone With the Wind. Production designers are tasked with overseeing all aspects of the visual look of the movie or series, which means supervising teams of artists including set decorators, electricians, makeup artists, and many more.
Production designers are involved with the work from the early stages of production, and they work with the writers and directors to come up with a tonally perfect set for the show or film. Basically, anything that isn’t an actor falls under the purview of the production designers, although designers get to oversee costumes, as well. It’s a major job that most people don’t notice because it requires a talented visual eye that knows how to call attention to certain details while hiding others.
How to Become a Production Designer
The short answer: work. Design classes are obviously vital to finding employment as a production designer. Hopefuls should become steeped in the theories of design, from costumes to furniture, and know how to effectively design realistic rooms that can be easily transformed to make room for filming equipment. Degrees in fashion design and interior design make for great springboards into the field, especially considering that applicants with more education are likely to be considered more valuable.
Yet unless you attend a film school or institute specifically designed to train production designers, the best way to become one is to intern with existing companies and work your way up with hands-on experience. Art classes — from history to modern design — are also fantastic resources for aspiring production designers because they highlight a variety of decorative methods. It’s also smart to study film and TV history from a design perspective to learn how sets and colors have changed over time.
Production Designer Career Outlook & Salary
While the competition for acting and directing roles is often insane, there’s much more work available for gifted craftspeople like production designers who are able to prove their worth and who can jump from project to project across genres with ease. As a result, job opportunities across the film and TV industries are set to grow 14% through 2018, above the national average, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Salary outlook can fluctuate based on age, experience, and unionization, but it’s not uncommon for designers to earn a minimum of $600-$800 a week early on. Film and TV production is going through an interesting shift thanks to the popularity of DVRs and on-demand entertainment, so it’s likely that competent production designers will remain in demand to help with the transition.
