{"schemaVersion":"1.0","exportedAt":"2026-05-15T12:38:11.675Z","occupation":{"soc":"27-1027.00","title":"Set and Exhibit Designers","group":"Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports & Media","sector":"54","jobZone":5,"jobZoneInferred":false},"framework":{"version":"v.26.05","description":"","contextCovered":"This framework covers professional Set and Exhibit Designer practice across theatrical, film, television, and museum/exhibit contexts, from entry-level studio work under mentorship through executive creative leadership on major productions and institutional programs.","levels":{"emerging":{"label":"Emerging","statements":["Script analysis and design requirements — identify location, set, and thematic needs by reading assigned scripts under the guidance of a senior designer in a professional production environment.","Rough draft floor plans and scenery sketches — prepare initial hand-drawn or CAD-assisted layouts of set components under direct supervision on entry-level theatrical or exhibit projects.","Research materials on architectural and historical periods — gather and organize reference images, scholarly sources, and expert contacts to support period-accurate design decisions on assigned projects.","Client and stakeholder intake notes — document exhibit space dimensions, proposed themes, timelines, and budget parameters gathered during supervised client-facing meetings.","Preliminary scale drawings — produce basic working drawings of set pieces and exhibit layouts using CAD software under mentored review within a professional design studio.","Design budget parameters — review and apply provided budget constraints when developing initial concept options for small-scale set or exhibit assignments.","Production meeting attendance — participate in rehearsals and production meetings to collect technical and creative information, reporting findings to the lead designer.","Graphics and imaging software tools — use industry-standard photo imaging and desktop publishing software to prepare presentation boards for review by senior staff.","Material and construction specifications — compile preliminary lists of materials and fabrication methods based on templates and guidance provided by experienced colleagues.","Design submission packages — assemble draft plans, drawings, and supporting documentation for internal review prior to formal client or director approval processes."]},"developing":{"label":"Developing","statements":["Set design concepts — develop cohesive design proposals based on independent evaluation of scripts, location scouting data, and production budgets with reduced oversight on mid-scale theatrical productions.","Scale working drawings and floor plans — produce detailed, dimensionally accurate CAD drawings of sets, scenery, and properties that meet contractor and production team requirements on live-stage projects.","Exhibit preliminary renderings — prepare polished digital renderings of proposed exhibits including construction details, material specifications, lighting diagrams, and special effects notes for client presentations.","Design adaptation under constraints — revise approved concept plans to accommodate budget reductions, fabrication restrictions, or venue limitations without compromising core design intent.","Historical and stylistic research — independently consult period archives, architectural databases, and subject-matter experts to validate design authenticity across film, television, or museum exhibit contexts.","Cross-functional coordination — attend and actively contribute to rehearsals and production meetings, synthesizing input from directors, technical directors, and fabricators to refine design solutions.","Client consultation facilitation — lead structured discovery conversations with clients and exhibit staff to clarify content themes, promotional requirements, and spatial constraints for mid-size exhibit commissions.","Time and project scheduling — manage personal workload and deliverable timelines using project management tools to meet multi-phase production deadlines reliably.","Presentation delivery — communicate design rationale, material choices, and visual concepts clearly to directors, curators, and non-specialist stakeholders using presentation and rendering software.","Fabrication coordination — collaborate with construction and properties teams by providing annotated drawings and material specifications that enable accurate, on-budget set fabrication."]},"proficient":{"label":"Proficient","statements":["Comprehensive set design development — independently originate and refine full set designs across diverse genres, integrating script analysis, budget modeling, location evaluation, and creative vision on major film, television, or theatrical productions.","Complex working drawing packages — author complete, construction-ready drawing sets including detailed floor plans, elevations, and property specifications that guide fabrication teams across large-scale, multi-set productions.","Advanced exhibit design systems — develop sophisticated exhibit environments with integrated special effects, dynamic lighting schemes, and interactive elements, translating client briefs into fully realized spatial experiences.","Non-routine design problem solving — resolve unexpected structural, budgetary, or logistical constraints mid-production by applying critical thinking and deep domain knowledge without escalation to senior leadership.","Multi-period historical accuracy — synthesize archival research, expert consultation, and primary sources to achieve verifiable period authenticity across productions requiring exacting cultural and architectural fidelity.","Negotiation and plan approval — present, defend, and negotiate design plans with studio executives, institutional clients, and regulatory bodies, securing approvals while managing competing stakeholder expectations.","Full production lifecycle management — oversee design development from initial concept through strike, coordinating scenic artists, prop masters, lighting designers, and construction crews across all production phases.","Technology integration in design workflow — leverage the full suite of CAD, 3D rendering, video editing, and database tools to produce high-fidelity design documentation and immersive client presentations autonomously.","Budget analysis and value engineering — evaluate cost-versus-design-impact trade-offs across entire productions, reallocating resources to protect creative priorities while maintaining fiscal accountability.","Cross-disciplinary communication — translate complex spatial and aesthetic design decisions into clear written reports, technical specifications, and verbal briefings accessible to engineers, curators, producers, and executives."]},"advanced":{"label":"Advanced","statements":["Organizational design vision — establish the creative philosophy, aesthetic standards, and design methodology for an entire studio, production company, or cultural institution, shaping output across multiple concurrent projects.","Strategic budget leadership — develop and defend multi-million-dollar design budgets at the executive level, aligning resource allocation with organizational priorities across annual production slates or exhibit programs.","Talent development and mentorship — design structured career pathways, mentorship programs, and professional development curricula that grow emerging and mid-level designers into autonomous, high-performing contributors.","Institutional client relationship management — build and sustain long-term partnerships with major broadcasters, museum networks, and theatrical producers by demonstrating sustained creative excellence and strategic alignment.","Industry standards advancement — contribute to the evolution of professional practice by authoring white papers, presenting at international design conferences, or serving on accreditation and standards bodies for set and exhibit design.","Cross-organizational design coordination — lead integrated design teams spanning architecture, engineering, technology, and narrative disciplines on flagship cultural, commercial, or broadcast projects of national or international significance.","Innovation culture cultivation — champion the adoption of emerging technologies—immersive rendering, AR/VR spatial planning, parametric design—across an organization's design practice to sustain competitive differentiation.","Risk and contingency governance — establish organizational protocols for identifying and mitigating design, fabrication, and procurement risks across high-stakes, time-critical production environments.","Policy and ethical design advocacy — advise institutional leadership on inclusive design principles, cultural sensitivity standards, and sustainable material practices that align exhibit and set work with organizational values.","Legacy project stewardship — lead landmark productions or permanent exhibit installations that define institutional identity, earning critical recognition and serving as enduring benchmarks for the discipline."]}}},"sources":{"onet":"v30.2 (CC BY 4.0)","crosswalk":"https://skillscrosswalk.com","generator":"LER.me"},"attribution":"© EBSCOed"}