Production designer

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.

The following job titles also refer to production designer:

TV production designer
production design manager
television production designer
film production designer
animation production designer
art department manager
art department lead
art department supervisor

Bachelor’s degree is generally required to work as production designer. However, this requirement may differ in some countries.

ISCO skill level is defined as a function of the complexity and range of tasks and duties to be performed in an occupation. It is measured on a scale from 1 to 4, with 1 the lowest level and 4 the highest, by considering:

• the nature of the work performed in an occupation in relation to the characteristic tasks and duties
• the level of formal education required for competent performance of the tasks and duties involved and
• the amount of informal on-the-job training and/or previous experience in a related occupation required for competent performance of these tasks and duties.

Production designer is a Skill level 4 occupation.

These occupations, although different, require a lot of knowledge and skills similar to production designer.

lighting director
video and motion picture director
director of photography
post-production supervisor
storyboard artist

These occupations require some skills and knowledge of production designer. They also require other skills and knowledge, but at a higher ISCO skill level, meaning these occupations are accessible from a position of production designer with a significant experience and/or extensive training.

This knowledge should be acquired through learning to fulfill the role of production designer.

Film production process: The various development stages of making a film, such as scriptwriting, financing, shooting, editing, and distribution.
Cad software: The computer-aided design (CAD) software for creating, modifying, analysing or optimising a design.

These skills are necessary for the role of production designer.

Manage budgets: Plan, monitor and report on the budget.
Consult with production director: Consult with the director, producer and clients throughout the production and post-production process.
Manage staff: Manage 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 workers to meet the company objectives. Monitor and measure how an employee undertakes their responsibilities and how well these activities are executed. Identify areas for improvement and make suggestions to achieve this. Lead a group of people to help them achieve goals and maintain an effective working relationship among staff.
Supervise costume workers: Coordinate and direct costume workers in the process of drawing, cutting and sewing costumes and samples.
Analyse logistic needs: Analysing the logistic needs of all the different departments on the organisational level.
Analyse a script: Break down a script by analysing the dramaturgy, form, themes and structure of a script. Conduct relevant research if necessary.
Conduct research on trends in design: Conduct research on present and future evolutions and trends in design, and associated target market features.
Create production schedules: Create 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 schedules of the production team and create a viable schedule. Inform the team of the schedule.
Use cad software: Use computer-aided design (CAD) systems to assist in the creation, modification, analysis, or optimisation of a design.
Develop design concept: Research 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 concepts and plan productions.
Estimate duration of work: Produce 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 project.

This knowledge is sometimes, but not always, required for the role of production designer. However, mastering this knowledge allows you to have more opportunities for career development.

Photography: Art and practice of creating aesthetically appealing images by recording light or electromagnetic radiation.
Lighting techniques: The characteristics of techniques used to create atmospheres and effects on camera or on stage; the equipment required and appropriate setup to use.

These skills and competences are sometimes, but not always, required for the role of production designer. However, mastering these skills and competences allows you to have more opportunities for career development.

Budget set costs: Prepare set production budgets.
Work with the camera crew: Work with the crew responsible for the camera operation and movement to get directions from them on where to stand for an aesthetic result.
Design props: Draw prop sketches and define prop materials and building methods
Make set construction drawings: Visually describe the various pieces of the set in order to develop the plan and to share with others.
Make photographic storyboards: Take photographs of potential locations. Create a photographic storyboard to show findings to producer and director.
Recruit employees: Hire new employees by scoping the job role, advertising, performing interviews and selecting staff in line with company policy and legislation.
Attend rehearsals: Attend rehearsals in order to adapt sets, costumes, make-up, lighting, camera set up, etc.
Work with the director of photography: Work 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 costumes: Find the right costume for a certain role and actor.
Design lighting: Design the right atmosphere and an aesthetically appealing film with light. Give instructions on which equipment, settings, and cues should be used.
Use storyboards: Use 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 design: Develop 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 concept of an artistic production, such as a movie or a theatre play.
Arrange permits: Arrange permits for shooting a film on location. Consult with owners and local authorities.
Create set models: Create three-dimensional models of the envisioned set layout.
Ensure cooperation among production, costume department and make-up department: Work 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 schedule: Decide when the shooting will start on each location, how long it will take, and when to move to another location.
Search for a suitable location: Search for locations suitable for film or photo shoots.
Work with the lighting crew: Work 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 set: Inspect 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 sketches: Create rough pictures to assist in creating and communicating design concepts.

2166 – Graphic and multimedia designers

 

 

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References

1. Production designer – ESCO