Set and Exhibit Designers

Design special exhibits and sets for film, video, television, and theater productions. May study scripts, confer with directors, and conduct research to determine appropriate architectural styles.

Most important skills

Reading Comprehension
Active Listening
Speaking
Critical Thinking
Operations Analysis
Time Management
Coordination
Complex Problem Solving

Key knowledge

Fine Arts
Design
Computers and Electronics
Building and Construction
History and Archeology
English Language
Communications and Media
Production and Processing

What the work involves

Examine objects to be included in exhibits to plan where and how to display them.
Acquire, or arrange for acquisition of, specimens or graphics required to complete exhibits.
Prepare rough drafts and scale working drawings of sets, including floor plans, scenery, and properties to be constructed.
Confer with clients and staff to gather information about exhibit space, proposed themes and content, timelines, budgets, materials, or promotion requirements.
Estimate set- or exhibit-related costs, including materials, construction, and rental of props or locations.
Develop set designs, based on evaluation of scripts, budgets, research information, and available locations.
Inspect installed exhibits for conformance to specifications and satisfactory operation of special-effects components.
Plan for location-specific issues, such as space limitations, traffic flow patterns, and safety concerns.

Strongest interest areas (O*NET): Artistic, Enterprising, Realistic.

Qualifications and licensing

Most common education: Bachelor's Degree (33.3% of respondents)
Related experience: Over 2 years, up to and including 4 years (42.9%)
On-the-job training: None or short demonstration (33.3%)
Preparation level: O*NET job zone 5: Job Zone Five: Extensive Preparation Needed
Licensing: Not yet verified. Check your state licensing board.

Check before planning

Licensing for Set and Exhibit Designers is not yet verified for any state: check the state licensing board before planning.

Limits

Distributions show what current workers or occupational experts report, not legal minimums.
Requirements vary by employer and state; time to qualify is not estimated.

Source: O*NET 31.0 Database (USDOL/ETA, CC BY 4.0); BLS Employment Projections · dataset 2026.10.8 · method e3-qualification-1.0.0

Work environment

How the typical conditions of this occupation compare with 911 occupations in O*NET (very low = the lowest fifth).

Levels are relative. Most occupations involve a lot of contact with people, for example, so “very low” can still mean regular contact; the last column shows what workers actually reported.

Rankings compare typical U.S. occupation-level work conditions; individual jobs and employers vary. Data: O*NET 31.0 Work Context and BLS wages (May 2025).
Condition	Level	Compared with other occupations	Most common answer (O*NET survey)
Contact with others	Low	Lower on contact with others than 72% of occupations compared	48% of surveyed respondents chose “Contact with others most of the time”
Dealing with the public	Low	Lower on dealing with the public than 75% of occupations compared	33% of surveyed respondents chose “Very important”
Teamwork	Very high	Higher on teamwork than 86% of occupations compared	71% of surveyed respondents chose “Extremely important”
Freedom to make decisions	High	Higher on freedom to make decisions than 60% of occupations compared	48% of surveyed respondents chose “Some freedom”
Time pressure	High	Higher on time pressure than 75% of occupations compared	52% of surveyed respondents chose “Once a week or more but not every day”
Conflict situations	Moderate	Lower on conflict situations than 52% of occupations compared	43% of surveyed respondents chose “Once a year or more but not every month”
Dealing with unpleasant or angry people	Low	Lower on dealing with unpleasant or angry people than 78% of occupations compared	62% of surveyed respondents chose “Once a year or more but not every month”
Consequence of error	Very low	Lower on consequence of error than 80% of occupations compared	57% of surveyed respondents chose “Fairly serious”

Work-pressure profile

Time pressure: high
Conflict situations: moderate
Dealing with unpleasant or angry people: low
Consequence of error: very low

Each part is shown on its own. There is no combined stress score, and conditions vary by employer and role.

Full answer distributions