Production Designer

Job Description:

As the head of the art department, the production designer is in charge of making sure each shooting location is perfect, prepared, and on point with the vision of the film. Production designers are responsible for the visual concept of a film, television or theater production. They identify a design style for sets, locations, graphics, props, lighting, camera angles and costumes, while working closely with the director and producer.

Salary:

The average Production Designer salary in the United States is $53,436 as of January 26, 2023, but the salary range typically falls between $48,327 and $61,000. Salary ranges can vary widely depending on many important factors, including education, certifications, additional skills, the number of years you have spent in your profession.

Occupational Outlook:

Vacancies for this career have increased by 25.60 percent nationwide in that time, with an average growth of 1.60 percent per year. Demand for Production Designers is expected to go up, with an expected 4,410 new jobs filled by 2029. This represents an annual increase of 4.46 percent over the next few years.

Links to Learn More About This Career:

Educational Requirements:

Relevant degree and HND subjects include those related to art and design. The following subjects in particular are most likely to provide relevant skills and knowledge:

architecture
creative, performing or technical arts
drama or theater studies
fine art or visual art
graphic design or illustration
interior design
landscape architecture and design
theater or performance design
3D design.

A design qualification is good preparation for work in production design as it will allow you to build up a portfolio, which you can use to demonstrate your imagination, technical ability and strong sense of spatial understanding. Specialist postgraduate qualifications may be useful and could help you to make valuable contacts in the industry.

Western Kentucky university

Bowling Green, KY

Website: https://my.wku.edu/

Information on the Major: https://catalog.wku.edu/undergraduate/arts-letters/journalism-broadcasting/film-production-bfa/

University of Kentucky

Lexington Kentucky

Website: https://www.uky.edu/

Information on the Major: https://www.uky.edu/academics/bachelors/media-arts-studies

Chapman university

Orange, California

Website: https://www.chapman.edu/

Information on the Major: https://www.chapman.edu/dodge/programs/graduate/mfa-production-design.aspx

Soft Skills, Characteristics, and/or Abilities Need For This Career:

a flair for generating original creative ideas
the ability to communicate ideas through technical drawing and model making
a good working knowledge of the visual arts and production processes
a critical view of film, television or theater, and familiarity with the work of specific designers
persistence to follow up leads and gain work
the ability to work with others, at all levels, as part of a team
the capacity to manage a design project from start to finish, to tight deadlines
the ability to be resourceful and adaptable and be able to solve practical and conceptual problems
the capability to work independently
the confidence and ability to appoint and supervise a design team or art department.

Software Knowledge Needed For This Career:

Adobe Creative Suite/Cloud is the most commonly used program for graphic design, video editing, and creative production.

Adobe Photoshop (image edits)
Adobe Acrobat Premiere Pro (PDF manipulation)
Adobe InDesign (page layout)
Adobe Dreamweaver (design)
Adobe Illustrator (drawing)

Pros and Cons to Choosing This Career

Pros (Positives to this Career)

There are opportunities for travel around the world based on what production you work on.
There are many possibilities for creativity in this job, with you being capable of adding your own “flair” to the production.
Being a production manager designer offers more creative expression, fulfillment, and control than that of any other jobs in that industry.

Cons (Negatives to this Career)

The nature of contract work often results in intensely busy periods interspersed with inactivity if no work comes in.
Time and budget constraints and working with demanding personalities can be stressful.
Work is mostly available in cities where studios and theaters are located, although location work means that you must be prepared to be away from home, for long periods of time, at short notice.

Typical Working Conditions For This Career:

Most production designers work full time, 40 hours per week. Many work overtime to meet deadlines and production demands. There are many responsibilities and requirements for a production designer, so the work conditions are tense and can be stressful. Work is mostly available in the cities where studios are located, but there are chances for location work, which means you will be away from home for long periods of time.