Set and Exhibit Designer Training and Jobs
Schools and Degrees
Set and exhibit designers should have a high school diploma or GED or complete a bachelor’s degree. They should have good communication skills, an eye for detail, good research skills, good knowledge of exhibit subjects and creativity. Many four-year colleges and universities grant the Bachelor of Fine Arts degree. Courses specific to individual design fields can also be enrolled in. About 200 colleges and universities have approved programs in art and design. Most of these award a degree in art or fine arts. Many schools do not allow formal entry into a bachelor's degree program until successful completion of a year of basic art and design courses.
Training and Education
Employees normally have a bachelor's degree before landing a job. Degrees are held by 55% of current set and exhibit designers. Post-secondary schooling was enough for 31% of workers. Education topped out at high school for 14% of employees.
Job Overview
Set and exhibit designers design interior and exterior landscapes according to the requirement of their clients. For movies and plays, directors require the set to represent a certain time period or convey a certain mood. Exhibit designers create displays for museums, libraries and other organizations. They look after the construction and decoration of sets and also establish budgets and timelines. They draw sketches of their ideas and also use computer-aided design software for their sketches. Once the sets are built, designers arrange the items. Set and exhibit designers oversee the takedown of displays and sets. They make sure the pieces are properly transported and stored for future use.
Exhibit designers present items in the proper context so that the information tells a story. The work process for exhibit designers is similar to that for set designers. They gather information, create designs, modify designs based on client feedback and build the exhibit.
Job Requirements
Creativity is important in all design occupations. Employers look for designers who have an eye for color and detail. Sketching skills are helpful for the job. A good portfolio is often the deciding factor in getting a job. Computer-aided design is increasingly being used in all areas of design. Many employers expect new designers to be familiar with the use of the computer as a design tool. Employers look for designers who are imaginative and who can communicate their ideas visually and verbally. They should be open to new ideas and react quickly to changing trends. Problem-solving skills and self-discipline are also important.
Nature of Work
Set and exhibit designers meet frequently with clients but also work alone while creating designs. They should communicate on a daily basis by telephone, e-mail, and through face-to-face discussions with clients. They are responsible for the work done by set builders. They work both indoors and outdoors. They may work full time or part time. They may even have to work during evenings or weekends to meet deadlines.
Area Job Conditions
You'll see a lot of set and exhibit designers in New York (New York), Washington (District of Columbia), and Orlando (Florida), and comparatively fewer in Phoenix (Arizona), Denver (Colorado), and Houston (Texas).
Wages for Workers are highest in Dayton (Ohio), Bethesda (Maryland), and Oakland (California), and lowest in Houston (Texas), Atlanta (Georgia), and Denver (Colorado).
Part-Time and Self Employment
Part-time work suffices for 17% of set and exhibit designers. Workers working on their own make up 30% of the total.
Career Videos
Set and Exhibit Designers by Metropolitan Area (city and its surroundings)
In the table below, a Job Density near 0% means the area has an average number of people in this occupation, for its population. A higher or lower Job Density (e.g., +22% or -45%) tells you there are that many more or fewer workers of that type there than in the average US metro area. So, the higher the number, the more common the occupation.
Arizona
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Phoenix | $36,000 | 50 | -33% |
| Tucson | $34,000 | 50 | +253% |
California
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles | $64,000 | 1,120 | +556% |
| Oakland | $52,000 | 150 | +257% |
| San Diego | $41,000 | 150 | +172% |
| San Francisco | $65,000 | 250 | +498% |
| San Jose | $52,000 | 50 | +33% |
| Santa Ana | $36,000 | 130 | +112% |
District of Columbia
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Washington | $59,000 | 310 | +202% |
Florida
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Miami | $41,000 | 60 | +45% |
| Orlando | $63,000 | 70 | +64% |
Illinois
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chicago | $43,000 | 230 | +45% |
Indiana
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Indianapolis | $43,000 | 70 | +86% |
Maryland
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bethesda | $63,000 | 60 | +148% |
Massachusetts
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Boston | $55,000 | 160 | +118% |
Michigan
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Warren | $45,000 | 40 | -12% |
Minnesota
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minneapolis | $46,000 | 150 | +100% |
Missouri
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kansas City | $45,000 | 40 | -6% |
| St Louis | $42,000 | 40 | -29% |
New York
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nassau | $60,000 | 30 | -44% |
| New York | $60,000 | 500 | +127% |
North Carolina
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Charlotte | $39,000 | 30 | -17% |
| Greensboro | $33,000 | 50 | +238% |
Oregon
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Portland | $59,000 | 60 | +39% |
Pennsylvania
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lancaster | $32,000 | 40 | +315% |
| Philadelphia | $41,000 | 80 | -1% |
Texas
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dallas | $44,000 | 150 | +69% |
| Fort Worth | $40,000 | 60 | +65% |
| Houston | $48,000 | 170 | +53% |
Utah
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Salt Lake City | $38,000 | 80 | +214% |
Virginia
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Richmond | $47,000 | 70 | +172% |
| Virginia Beach | $41,000 | 30 | -6% |
Washington
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Seattle | $54,000 | 120 | +103% |
Wisconsin
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Milwaukee | $45,000 | 40 | +14% |