Production Designer Job Description

What is the job description of a Production Designer? What are the duties and responsibilities of a Production Designer? What does a Production Designer do?

Job description of a Production Designer

Production designers are responsible for the visual concept of a film, television or theatre production. They realise a design style for sets, locations, graphics, props, lighting, camera angles and costumes, while working closely with the director and producer. Once the concept is decided, production designers usually appoint and manage an art department, which includes a design and construction team.

This Production Designer job description example includes the list of most important Production Designer duties and responsibilities as shown below. It can be modified to fit the specific Production Designer profile you're trying to fill as a recruiter or job seeker.

Production Designer Duties and Responsibilities

Production Designer job description should contain a variety of functions and roles including:

  • Planning and monitoring the design budget;
  • Providing scale drawings or models for studio or theatre sets;
  • Reading scripts to identify factors indicating a particular visual style;
  • Researching art history, background politics, historical information and producing design ideas;
  • Hiring and managing an art department team or teams (depending on the size of the production);
  • Instructing the set construction company, scenic artists and special effects specialists, and monitoring their work;
  • Considering the production brief, which may be written or oral;
  • Meeting the producer and director to discuss concepts and production requirements;
  • Producing design ideas for costumes, wigs, props, special effects, make-up and graphics;
  • Liaising with the costume designer and the director of photography, as well as the props, lighting and sound directors;
  • Researching, estimating and preparing a property list;
  • Attending progress meetings, rehearsals and filming to advise on visual presentation.
  • Identifying and assessing potential studios and locations;
  • Sourcing appropriate materials and researching effects;
  • Presenting ideas to others involved in the production, such as actors and camera operators;

Production Designer Requirements / Skills / Qualifications

Production Designer job description should include these common skills and qualifications:

  • Degree in Arts
  • Working knowledge of the visual arts and production processes and theories
  • Sketching ability, and ability to communicate ideas through drawings and models
  • Excellent visual awareness and design skills
  • Ability to solve problems and be resourceful and adaptable
  • Ability to work a flexible schedule
  • Ability to plan, schedule and monitor progress across of a large project
  • Advanced proficiency in Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Illustrator and computer aided design programs (CADS)

As a hiring manager, recruiting an ideal Production Designer starts with crafting a good job description. Use this Production Designer job description template to save yourself time and help you attract the most qualified candidates. Feel free to revise it to meet your specific needs.

Job seekers interviewing for the role of a Production Designer may also reference it in preparation for the interview.