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Set and Exhibit Designers

SOC 27-1027.00Job Zone 5 · Extensive Preparationv.26.05

Context coveredThis 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.

Sources:O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.SkillsCrosswalkSkillsCrosswalk — O*NET enrichment + adjacency index. Opens in new tab.
Emerging
Entry / Apprentice
  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. 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.
  4. Client and stakeholder intake notes — document exhibit space dimensions, proposed themes, timelines, and budget parameters gathered during supervised client-facing meetings.
  5. Preliminary scale drawings — produce basic working drawings of set pieces and exhibit layouts using CAD software under mentored review within a professional design studio.
  6. Design budget parameters — review and apply provided budget constraints when developing initial concept options for small-scale set or exhibit assignments.
  7. Production meeting attendance — participate in rehearsals and production meetings to collect technical and creative information, reporting findings to the lead designer.
  8. Graphics and imaging software tools — use industry-standard photo imaging and desktop publishing software to prepare presentation boards for review by senior staff.
  9. Material and construction specifications — compile preliminary lists of materials and fabrication methods based on templates and guidance provided by experienced colleagues.
  10. Design submission packages — assemble draft plans, drawings, and supporting documentation for internal review prior to formal client or director approval processes.
Developing
Mid-level / Established
  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. Exhibit preliminary renderings — prepare polished digital renderings of proposed exhibits including construction details, material specifications, lighting diagrams, and special effects notes for client presentations.
  4. Design adaptation under constraints — revise approved concept plans to accommodate budget reductions, fabrication restrictions, or venue limitations without compromising core design intent.
  5. 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.
  6. Cross-functional coordination — attend and actively contribute to rehearsals and production meetings, synthesizing input from directors, technical directors, and fabricators to refine design solutions.
  7. 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.
  8. Time and project scheduling — manage personal workload and deliverable timelines using project management tools to meet multi-phase production deadlines reliably.
  9. Presentation delivery — communicate design rationale, material choices, and visual concepts clearly to directors, curators, and non-specialist stakeholders using presentation and rendering software.
  10. Fabrication coordination — collaborate with construction and properties teams by providing annotated drawings and material specifications that enable accurate, on-budget set fabrication.
Proficient
Senior / Expert IC
  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. 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.
  4. 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.
  5. 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.
  6. 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.
  7. 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.
  8. 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.
  9. 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.
  10. 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
Lead / Principal / Executive
  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. 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.
  4. 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.
  5. 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.
  6. 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.
  7. 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.
  8. Risk and contingency governance — establish organizational protocols for identifying and mitigating design, fabrication, and procurement risks across high-stakes, time-critical production environments.
  9. 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.
  10. 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.

AI-at-Work Competency Framework

Sources:Anthropic Economic IndexAnthropic Economic Index — release_2026_03_24. Opens in new tab.Jadhav & Danve, 2026Skill Automation Feasibility Index — Jadhav & Danve, 2026 (arXiv:2604.06906). Opens in new tab.WEF Skills TaxonomyWEF Skills Taxonomy 2021 — Building a Common Language for Skills at Work. Opens in new tab.
Subscriber feature

Authoritative source data identified for 998 occupations

How a worker at each mastery level uses, directs, and evaluates AI tools in this occupation. Each statement cites its evidence inline; click a citation chip to verify the source.

Emerging
  1. AI-assisted script analysis — feeds production scripts into an LLM to extract location requirements, set constraints, and mood references, then cross-checks the output against personal script notes before proceeding Jadhav & Danve, 2026Skill Automation Feasibility Index — Jadhav & Danve, 2026 (arXiv:2604.06906). Opens in new tab..
  2. Basic prompt-to-visual exploration — uses AI image-generation tools to produce loose visual references and mood-board thumbnails for early client conversations, treating outputs as inspiration rather than finished design direction WEF Skills TaxonomyWEF Skills Taxonomy 2021 — Building a Common Language for Skills at Work. Opens in new tab..
Developing
  1. Preliminary rendering acceleration — directs an AI tool to generate draft layout compositions and material-texture mockups from typed design briefs, then refines proportions and spatial logic manually in CAD or illustration software Jadhav & Danve, 2026Skill Automation Feasibility Index — Jadhav & Danve, 2026 (arXiv:2604.06906). Opens in new tab. WEF Skills TaxonomyWEF Skills Taxonomy 2021 — Building a Common Language for Skills at Work. Opens in new tab..
  2. Budget-constraint ideation — prompts an AI assistant to suggest alternative fabrication materials and construction approaches within a stated cost ceiling, evaluating each suggestion against actual vendor pricing and structural feasibility Jadhav & Danve, 2026Skill Automation Feasibility Index — Jadhav & Danve, 2026 (arXiv:2604.06906). Opens in new tab..
Proficient
  1. Scale drawing iteration — uses an AI drafting assistant to produce multiple floor-plan variations from a single set of spatial constraints, selecting and annotating the most viable scheme for client submission WEF Skills TaxonomyWEF Skills Taxonomy 2021 — Building a Common Language for Skills at Work. Opens in new tab..
  2. Special-effects research synthesis — delegates broad literature and precedent research on lighting rigs, projection mapping, or practical effects to an AI tool, then authors the curated specification document independently Jadhav & Danve, 2026Skill Automation Feasibility Index — Jadhav & Danve, 2026 (arXiv:2604.06906). Opens in new tab..
  3. Plan-approval communication — drafts approval submissions and revision memos with AI writing assistance, verifying that every technical detail matches the underlying drawings before the document leaves the studio WEF Skills TaxonomyWEF Skills Taxonomy 2021 — Building a Common Language for Skills at Work. Opens in new tab..
Advanced
  1. End-to-end design pipeline orchestration — sequences AI tools across script parsing, spatial modelling, material specification, and presentation rendering, retaining authorship of all aesthetic and structural decisions while the AI handles repetitive data processing Jadhav & Danve, 2026Skill Automation Feasibility Index — Jadhav & Danve, 2026 (arXiv:2604.06906). Opens in new tab. WEF Skills TaxonomyWEF Skills Taxonomy 2021 — Building a Common Language for Skills at Work. Opens in new tab..
  2. AI output quality governance — establishes studio-level evaluation criteria for assessing AI-generated renderings and construction diagrams against fabrication tolerances, safety codes, and director intent, overriding or discarding outputs that fail those standards Jadhav & Danve, 2026Skill Automation Feasibility Index — Jadhav & Danve, 2026 (arXiv:2604.06906). Opens in new tab..
  3. Human-technology workflow mentorship — trains junior designers to position AI assistance within the creative process as a precision augmentation layer for well-defined subtasks, not a substitute for spatial reasoning or narrative interpretation WEF Skills TaxonomyWEF Skills Taxonomy 2021 — Building a Common Language for Skills at Work. Opens in new tab..
Evidence pack
SAFI positioning
Top skill: Reading Comprehension
Score: 45.5 / 100
Quadrant: Q2_ai_augmented
precision: exact
WEF cluster
Human-Technology Interaction
human_technology_interaction
Sources:Jadhav & Danve, 2026Skill Automation Feasibility Index — Jadhav & Danve, 2026 (arXiv:2604.06906). Opens in new tab.WEF Skills TaxonomyWEF Skills Taxonomy 2021 — Building a Common Language for Skills at Work. Opens in new tab.

Pathsmith Durable Skills Framework

Sources:Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
Subscriber feature

Ten durable-skill domains mapped to four proficiency/role levels for each occupation. Each statement is aligned to the Pathsmith taxonomy, derived from trusted grounding data and mapped to occupation-specific O*NET tasks and skills.

1Communication11 statements
Emerging
  1. Script interpretation communication — reads production scripts and summarizes location and design requirements for review by senior designers Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Stakeholder inquiry — asks clarifying questions during initial client meetings to gather basic information about exhibit themes, timelines, and budgets O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
Developing
  1. Design presentation communication — conveys preliminary rendering concepts to clients and production staff using annotated sketches and verbal explanation Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Rehearsal feedback communication — attends production meetings and relays set-related observations to directors and technical staff with increasing clarity and confidence O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  3. Written specification drafting — prepares written material and construction notes accompanying scale drawings to ensure fabrication teams interpret design intent accurately Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
Applying
  1. Client conference facilitation — leads structured consultations with clients and exhibit coordinators to extract spatial, thematic, and promotional requirements and translates them into actionable design briefs Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Cross-disciplinary design communication — presents fully developed set or exhibit proposals to mixed audiences including directors, engineers, and curators, adjusting technical depth to each stakeholder group Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  3. Approval submission communication — submits comprehensive design plans with clear written rationale and adapts explanations when responding to budget or fabrication constraint feedback O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
Exceeding
  1. Executive-level design advocacy — articulates complex spatial and narrative design visions to executive producers, museum boards, or institutional clients, building consensus around creative direction Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  2. Mentored communication coaching — models and teaches junior designers how to structure design presentations, write specifications, and navigate client feedback cycles effectively Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  3. Industry communication leadership — represents design teams in high-stakes production negotiations, translating creative constraints into language that aligns artistic goals with operational realities Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
2Leadership10 statements
Emerging
  1. Project task ownership — accepts responsibility for discrete design sub-tasks such as sourcing period-appropriate reference imagery or drafting a single floor plan element without direct supervision Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  2. Initiative in research — independently consults historical archives, expert sources, and architectural databases to support design decisions before being prompted O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
Developing
  1. Design team coordination — organizes workflow among junior drafters and model-makers during pre-production phases, setting clear task sequences and deadlines Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Production meeting leadership — prepares agenda items and speaks on behalf of the design team during rehearsal and production meetings, representing collective design decisions O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
Applying
  1. End-to-end project leadership — leads the full design lifecycle from script analysis through installation, managing personnel, timelines, and vendor relationships to deliver completed sets or exhibits on schedule Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Budget stewardship — takes authoritative responsibility for design budget allocations, making trade-off decisions that balance creative ambition with financial constraints O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  3. Mentorship of emerging designers — guides junior set or exhibit designers through the design development process, providing structured feedback on drafts, models, and renderings Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
Exceeding
  1. Departmental design leadership — establishes design standards, workflows, and creative culture across an entire set design or exhibit department within a studio, theater company, or museum Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  2. Strategic creative direction — defines the overarching aesthetic and conceptual vision for multi-production seasons or large-scale traveling exhibitions, aligning diverse creative teams around a unified design philosophy Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  3. Industry mentorship and advocacy — shapes the career trajectories of emerging design professionals through sustained mentorship, sponsorship, and public advocacy within professional design organizations Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
3Metacognition9 statements
Emerging
  1. Design process self-assessment — reviews completed preliminary sketches against script requirements to identify gaps in spatial understanding or historical accuracy before submitting for review Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  2. Learning strategy awareness — recognizes personal gaps in knowledge of construction methods or historical periods and seeks targeted resources such as textbooks, site visits, or expert consultations Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
Developing
  1. Iterative self-correction — evaluates own rendered proposals after client or director feedback and identifies which design decisions caused misalignment with the production's intent Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  2. Time and cognitive load monitoring — tracks own pacing across concurrent design tasks and adjusts prioritization strategies when approaching deadline pressure in multi-project environments Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
Applying
  1. Design decision tracing — reflects on completed productions to map which early conceptual choices led to fabrication complications or budget overruns, and applies those lessons to subsequent project planning Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Knowledge boundary recognition — accurately identifies the limits of personal expertise in areas such as structural engineering or digital rendering software and proactively acquires or delegates accordingly Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  3. Creative process calibration — monitors the quality and originality of design thinking across a project arc and intentionally shifts ideation strategies when output becomes formulaic or stagnant Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
Exceeding
  1. Reflective practice modeling — documents and shares structured post-project design retrospectives with teams, institutionalizing metacognitive habits across the design department Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  2. Adaptive expertise development — continuously evaluates the evolving landscape of design tools, fabrication technologies, and aesthetic movements and deliberately restructures personal learning plans to maintain leading-edge competency Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
4Critical Thinking11 statements
Emerging
  1. Script analysis — reads production scripts and identifies explicit and implied spatial, temporal, and atmospheric design requirements that must be addressed in initial concept sketches O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Budget constraint evaluation — assesses basic cost implications of proposed materials and flags unrealistic design elements relative to stated budget parameters O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
Developing
  1. Location feasibility analysis — evaluates available production locations against script requirements, identifying spatial, logistical, and aesthetic trade-offs before recommending a design approach O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Reference material evaluation — critically assesses historical and archeological sources for accuracy and applicability when selecting stylistic elements for period-specific set designs O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  3. Fabrication constraint analysis — examines proposed construction methods and material specifications against shop capabilities and lead times, identifying risks before production commences Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
Applying
  1. Multi-variable design decision making — systematically weighs script requirements, director vision, budget limits, available materials, and construction timelines to arrive at optimized design solutions Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Operations analysis for exhibit design — analyzes visitor flow patterns, sightlines, and structural load requirements when developing exhibit layouts, integrating findings into final spatial plans O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  3. Evidence-based historical reconstruction — synthesizes findings from architectural history, material culture scholarship, and expert consultation to justify period-accurate design decisions against scrutiny O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
Exceeding
  1. Complex problem decomposition — deconstructs ambiguous or contradictory production briefs into discrete solvable design problems, establishing clear evaluative criteria before generating and testing solutions Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  2. Design standards critique — evaluates industry design norms, fabrication conventions, and presentation standards critically and identifies where standard approaches produce suboptimal creative or logistical outcomes Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  3. Strategic risk assessment — analyzes systemic risks across large-scale or touring exhibit projects including fabrication failures, venue incompatibilities, and thematic misalignments and develops contingency design strategies Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
5Collaboration10 statements
Emerging
  1. Production team integration — participates constructively in production meetings by sharing preliminary design ideas, listening to director and technical staff input, and incorporating feedback into revised sketches Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Vendor communication initiation — initiates basic coordination with prop houses, scenic fabricators, or material suppliers under supervision to obtain quotes and availability information O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
Developing
  1. Cross-functional design coordination — collaborates with lighting designers, costume designers, and sound engineers to ensure set elements support a unified production aesthetic without creating technical conflicts Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Client co-development — works iteratively with museum curators or exhibit coordinators to refine exhibit concepts, incorporating content and interpretive feedback into evolving design proposals O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  3. Collaborative revision management — manages shared design files, drawing sets, and specification documents within a team environment, maintaining version control and clear communication of changes Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
Applying
  1. Integrated production collaboration — coordinates design decisions with directors, producers, construction crews, and technical directors simultaneously across all production phases, maintaining design coherence under competing demands Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Interdisciplinary exhibit team facilitation — leads collaborative sessions with historians, educators, graphic designers, and fabricators to align exhibit content, spatial design, and visitor experience objectives Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  3. Conflict navigation in design teams — identifies and resolves creative or logistical disagreements between design team members and production stakeholders through structured dialogue and principled compromise Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
Exceeding
  1. Organizational collaboration architecture — designs collaborative workflows, communication protocols, and shared decision-making frameworks that improve design team cohesion and output quality across an entire production company or institution Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  2. External partnership leadership — builds and sustains long-term collaborative relationships with external fabricators, technology vendors, and cultural institutions that extend the creative and technical capabilities of the design team Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
6Character10 statements
Emerging
  1. Design attribution integrity — accurately credits reference sources, historical research, and collaborative contributions in design documentation and presentations Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  2. Deadline accountability — acknowledges when personal deliverables such as preliminary sketches or model builds are at risk and communicates proactively rather than allowing silent failure Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
Developing
  1. Ethical client representation — presents design proposals that honestly reflect achievable outcomes within stated budgets and timelines, avoiding overpromising to secure project approval Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Professional conduct in critique — receives and delivers design feedback with respect, separating personal attachment from objective evaluation of whether a design solution serves its intended purpose Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  3. Inclusive design accountability — takes responsibility for ensuring design proposals are accessible and respectful of the cultural histories and communities depicted in period or culturally specific sets and exhibits Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
Applying
  1. Budget and resource integrity — manages production design budgets with transparency, documenting expenditures accurately and escalating cost overruns honestly rather than obscuring them through reallocation O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Intellectual property ethics — exercises rigorous judgment regarding copyright, design ownership, and fair use of historical imagery, archival materials, and proprietary fabrication techniques Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  3. Consistent professional standards — upholds the same quality of documentation, client communication, and design rigor on low-budget or low-visibility projects as on high-profile productions Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
Exceeding
  1. Ethical leadership modeling — establishes and enforces professional and ethical standards within the design department, addressing misconduct, misrepresentation, and attribution issues with consistency and fairness Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  2. Public design integrity — contributes to industry conversations about ethical representation, cultural sensitivity, and sustainable design practices, holding the profession to higher standards of accountability Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
7Creativity11 statements
Emerging
  1. Conceptual ideation — generates multiple distinct visual concepts for a set or exhibit brief through sketching and mood boarding before converging on a single direction Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  2. Material experimentation — explores unconventional or repurposed materials for scenic or exhibit construction as alternatives to standard fabrication solutions Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
Developing
  1. Thematic spatial invention — translates abstract narrative or curatorial themes into three-dimensional spatial experiences that evoke mood and meaning beyond literal illustration of content Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Constraint-driven creativity — produces innovative design solutions specifically in response to severe budget, space, or timeline restrictions, reframing limitations as generative design parameters Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  3. Historical reinterpretation — applies historical and archeological research creatively to produce period settings that feel authentic yet serve contemporary production or visitor experience goals O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
Applying
  1. Signature design language development — develops a distinctive and coherent visual vocabulary applied across a body of set or exhibit work that is recognizable and purposefully evolving Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  2. Immersive environment design — creates fully realized immersive spatial experiences for theater, film, or museum contexts by integrating lighting, texture, scale, sound considerations, and visitor or performer psychology Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  3. Novel fabrication problem-solving — invents custom construction solutions for design challenges that exceed the capacity of standard scenic or exhibit fabrication techniques Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
Exceeding
  1. Creative vision leadership — conceives and champions radically original design visions for landmark productions or flagship exhibitions that redefine audience expectations and influence industry aesthetics Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  2. Cross-medium creative synthesis — integrates emerging technologies such as projection mapping, augmented reality, or generative design tools with traditional scenic craft to produce hybrid design experiences that expand the discipline Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  3. Creative culture building — fosters a design team culture that systemically encourages experimentation, rewards intelligent risk-taking, and institutionalizes creative iteration as standard practice Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
8Growth Mindset10 statements
Emerging
  1. Feedback receptivity — accepts critical notes on preliminary renderings or scale drawings from senior designers and directors without defensiveness and applies revisions purposefully Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  2. Skill gap acknowledgment — identifies personal limitations in areas such as 3D modeling software or structural drafting and pursues targeted skill-building resources or mentorship Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
Developing
  1. Setback reframing — when a design concept is rejected or a fabricated element fails, analyzes the root cause and treats the episode as design information rather than personal failure Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  2. Tool and technique expansion — actively learns new design software platforms, rendering tools, or construction techniques between projects to expand professional capability Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  3. Challenge-seeking behavior — volunteers for design assignments that involve unfamiliar production genres, historical periods, or exhibit formats in order to accelerate learning Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
Applying
  1. Sustained effort through complexity — maintains high design quality and creative investment across long pre-production periods, multiple revision cycles, and technically demanding fabrication challenges Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Peer learning integration — actively seeks out and incorporates design approaches and techniques from colleagues, visiting productions, and international exhibits into personal practice Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  3. Post-project growth planning — after each major production or exhibit, identifies two to three specific design competencies to develop in the next project cycle and executes that development plan Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
Exceeding
  1. Growth culture modeling — visibly embraces difficult creative challenges and learning moments in front of junior team members, demonstrating that expert designers continue to grow and experiment Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  2. Discipline evolution leadership — monitors shifts in production technology, audience expectation, and curatorial philosophy and proactively repositions the design team's skills and methods to remain at the forefront of the field Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
9Mindfulness10 statements
Emerging
  1. Attentive script reading — reads production scripts with sustained focus, noting subtle implications for spatial atmosphere, transitions, and visual storytelling rather than scanning for explicit set directions only Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Emotional regulation in critique — manages initial emotional reactions to critical feedback on design work, pausing before responding to ensure replies are constructive and professionally grounded Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
Developing
  1. Present-moment client listening — during client or director consultations, maintains full attentive presence, noticing non-verbal cues and unstated preferences that inform design direction Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Stress-aware production pacing — recognizes personal signs of pre-deadline stress during production crunch periods and applies intentional work-pacing and recovery strategies to sustain design quality Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  3. Deliberate design review — approaches design self-review sessions with structured intentionality, temporarily suspending attachment to previous decisions in order to evaluate work objectively Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
Applying
  1. Intentional spatial observation — when visiting reference sites, theaters, or museums, practices deliberate observation of scale, light, material texture, and human movement with full sensory attention to inform design work Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Regulated response in high-pressure production environments — maintains calm and clear judgment during technical rehearsals, installation crises, or last-minute design changes by grounding decisions in present-moment assessment rather than reactive emotion Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  3. Mindful stakeholder engagement — approaches each client or collaborator interaction with fresh attentiveness, avoiding assumptions carried over from prior projects that may distort accurate perception of new design requirements Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
Exceeding
  1. Contemplative design practice — integrates sustained reflective observation and mindful attention into the core of personal design methodology, producing work characterized by unusual perceptual depth and spatial sensitivity Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  2. Team mindfulness cultivation — introduces intentional focus practices into design team workflows such as structured observation exercises or pre-meeting attention protocols that measurably improve collective creative output Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
10Fortitude11 statements
Emerging
  1. Revision persistence — continues refining scale drawings and renderings through multiple rejection and revision cycles without abandoning the project or reducing effort quality Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  2. Ambiguity tolerance — proceeds with preliminary design development when production briefs are incomplete, making reasoned assumptions while flagging uncertainties for clarification Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
Developing
  1. Budget adversity navigation — maintains creative problem-solving and professional composure when significant budget cuts require fundamental redesign of approved set or exhibit concepts Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Timeline pressure resilience — sustains design output quality during compressed production schedules, prioritizing effectively and maintaining accuracy in drawings and specifications under deadline stress Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  3. Rejection recovery — after a major design concept is declined by a director or institutional client, regathers creative resources and generates a genuinely reconceived proposal rather than superficially modifying the rejected work Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
Applying
  1. Long-arc project endurance — maintains sustained creative engagement and technical rigor across multi-year exhibit development or long-run theatrical production cycles without diminishing commitment to design quality Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  2. Crisis response in production — when on-site fabrication failures, venue damage, or last-minute script changes threaten the production design, takes decisive action and leads the team through rapid redesign under extreme time pressure Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  3. Institutional resistance navigation — persists in advocating for design integrity and creative vision when facing institutional conservatism, budget authority resistance, or bureaucratic approval delays Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
Exceeding
  1. Career-defining perseverance — sustains a body of creatively ambitious and technically demanding design work across an entire career, including periods of professional uncertainty, technological disruption, and market contraction Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  2. Adversity leadership — guides design teams through production disasters, funding collapses, or organizational crises with visible composure and strategic clarity, preserving team morale and project viability Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  3. Courageous creative advocacy — publicly defends unconventional or controversial design visions against institutional pressure, articulating principled creative rationale and accepting professional risk in service of artistic integrity Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
Sources:Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
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O*NET enrichment · skillscrosswalk.com

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Source anchors that ground each statement

Related titles
Creator · Designer · Display Coordinator · Display Designer · Event Decorator · Event Designer · Exhibit Coordinator · Exhibit Designer · Exhibit Preparator · Exhibit Specialist · Exhibit Technician (Exhibit Tech) · Exhibitions Coordinator
RAPIDS apprenticeships
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O*NET skills
Reading ComprehensionActive ListeningTime ManagementCritical ThinkingOperations AnalysisSpeakingCoordinationJudgment and Decision MakingComplex Problem SolvingWritingActive LearningMonitoringMathematicsSocial PerceptivenessPersuasionNegotiationInstructingService OrientationSystems Analysis
Knowledge domains
Fine ArtsDesignComputers and ElectronicsBuilding and ConstructionHistory and ArcheologyEnglish LanguageCommunications and MediaProduction and ProcessingMathematicsAdministration and Management
Abilities
Fluency of IdeasVisualizationOral ComprehensionWritten ComprehensionOriginalityProblem SensitivityInformation OrderingNear VisionSpeech RecognitionOral Expression
Work styles
InnovationAttention to DetailAdaptabilityAchievement OrientationDependabilityInitiative
Technology
Video creation and editing softwareDocument management softwareGraphics or photo imaging softwareDesktop publishing softwareComputer aided design CAD softwareData base user interface and query softwareSpreadsheet softwareOffice suite softwareElectronic mail softwarePresentation software
Tasks · seed anchors for statements
  1. Develop set designs, based on evaluation of scripts, budgets, research information, and available locations.
  2. Prepare rough drafts and scale working drawings of sets, including floor plans, scenery, and properties to be constructed.
  3. Prepare preliminary renderings of proposed exhibits, including detailed construction, layout, and material specifications, and diagrams relating to aspects such as special effects or lighting.
  4. Read scripts to determine location, set, and design requirements.
  5. Submit plans for approval, and adapt plans to serve intended purposes, or to conform to budget or fabrication restrictions.
  6. Attend rehearsals and production meetings to obtain and share information related to sets.
  7. Confer with clients and staff to gather information about exhibit space, proposed themes and content, timelines, budgets, materials, or promotion requirements.
  8. Research architectural and stylistic elements appropriate to the time period to be depicted, consulting experts for information, as necessary.
CIP education codes
50.040150.041050.0502

Sources: O*NET v30.2 (CC BY 4.0), SkillsCrosswalk.com, LER.me, Anthropic Economic Index, SAFI (Jadhav & Danve, 2026), WEF Skills Taxonomy 2021, Pathsmith Durable Skills Framework. © 2026 EBSCOed.