...the Web's Best Employment Resources

Set and Exhibit Designers 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.

Set and Exhibit Designers 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.

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.

Set and Exhibit Designers Jobs and Outlook

According to research in 2006, set and exhibit designers held about 12,205 jobs in the US. Job prospects are expected to grow to 14,373 in the next ten years. Employment is highest in the following industries:

• Performing Arts Companies
• Promoters of Performing Arts, Sports, and Similar Events
• Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services
• Motion Picture and Video Industries
• Museums, Historical Sites, and Similar Institutions

The mean hourly wage for Set and Exhibit Designers in the US is about $22.89, while the mean annual wages are around $47,620.

Job Numbers and Growth

The official count of set and exhibit designers in 2008 was 12,000. Workers have recently faced a low level of unemployment. The unemployment rate for employees? About 4% recently.

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).

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. Recommended schools are shown in the column to the right; request information from them to help you decide which if any could help you with this career.

Part-Time Work 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.

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

California

Colorado

Connecticut

District of Columbia

Florida

Georgia

Hawaii

Illinois

Indiana

Maryland

Massachusetts

Minnesota

Missouri

New York

North Carolina

Ohio

Oregon

Texas

Virginia

Washington

Wisconsin