5 Amazing set designer Resume Examples (Updated 2023) + Skills & Job Descriptions

When you watch TV, do you critique your favorite shows for their drab portrayals of coffee shops and roll your eyes at bedroom sets with bare, white walls? When you see a play at a local theater, do you know exactly what you could do better to bring the story to life? Set designers wear many hats, and they often take on a great deal of work, especially if they are working on smaller productions. A set designer’s job is to create the overall look and feel of a set: How do you make the coffee shop look like it belongs in Manhattan? How do you design a character’s bedroom to portray her quirky, artistic personality? A set designer may lead a team or work alone to create a certain aesthetic within the constraints of the production’s budget. Remember that the gatekeepers to your dream job are the hiring managers in every studio and theater. Make sure you have a set designer resume that will impress future employers with its polished, organized summation of your skills. Take a look at our resume example selection to get started.

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set designer: Resume Samples & Writing Guide

Employment history

Chief Set Designer, Google Mountain View, California

July 2018 – Present

Source and purchase materials for set construction
Work within a given budget to create sets
Research and develop new set designs

Associate Set Designer, Adobe San Jose, California

January 2018 – June 2018

Liaise with other departments (e.g. lighting, sound, wardrobe) to ensure the set is built to their specifications
Supervise the construction of sets and manage set crews
Collaborate with directors, producers, and other creatives to create the desired look and feel of the production

Entry Level Set Designer, Adobe San Jose, California

July 2016 – December 2017

Design sets for films, television, theater, and other productions
Work within a given budget to create sets
Ensure sets are built in accordance with relevant regulations

Education

California Institute of the Arts, Valencia, California

Doctor of Philosophy in Interior Design, June, 2016

California Institute of the Arts, Valencia, California

Bachelor of Arts in Digital Media, June, 2012

Skills

Business Acumen

Reliability

Attention to Detail

Networking

3D Modeling

Drafting

Props Design

CAD

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Employment history

Jr. Set Designer, IDEO Chicago, Illinois

November 2021 – August 2022

Research and develop new set designs
Oversee the installation and removal of sets
Maintain safety standards on set

Education

Minneapolis College of Art and Design, Minneapolis, Minnesota

Doctor of Philosophy in Graphic Design, September, 2021

Minneapolis College of Art and Design, Minneapolis, Minnesota

Bachelor of Arts in Animation, September, 2017

Skills

Customer Service

Creativity

Process Improvement

Visualization

Costume Design

Sculpting

Photography

Lighting Design

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Professional Summary

A highly creative and detail-oriented Set Designer with a passion for creating unique and innovative sets for productions. Experienced in collaborating with directors, producers, and other stakeholders to ensure the set design meets the needs and expectations of the project.

Employment history

Lead Set Designer, The New York Times New York City, New York

February 2014 – Present

Attend production meetings and provide input on set design
Create sketches and scale models of set designs
Research and develop new set designs

Set Designer, Pixar Emeryville, California

September 2012 – January 2014

Research and develop new set designs
Troubleshoot any problems that arise with set design and construction
Work within a given budget to create sets

Junior Set Designer, IDEO Chicago, Illinois

March 2011 – August 2012

Ensure sets are built in accordance with relevant regulations
Design sets for films, television, theater, and other productions
Attend production meetings and provide input on set design

Education

Pratt Institute, Brooklyn, New York

Graphic Design Certificate, January, 2011

Skills

Flexibility

Critical Thinking

Planning

Negotiation

3D Modeling

Texturing

Props Design

Color Theory

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Employment history

Chief Set Designer, Facebook Menlo Park, California

January 2016 – Present

Oversee the installation and removal of sets
Research and develop new set designs
Design sets for films, television, theater, and other productions

Set Designer, Etsy Brooklyn, New York

June 2015 – December 2015

Develop set designs that are visually appealing and fit the production's theme
Liaise with other departments (e.g. lighting, sound, wardrobe) to ensure the set is built to their specifications
Maintain safety standards on set

Jr. Set Designer, Google Mountain View, California

December 2014 – May 2015

Create sketches and scale models of set designs
Research and develop new set designs
Develop set designs that are visually appealing and fit the production's theme

Education

Pacific Northwest College of Art, Portland, Oregon

Doctor of Philosophy in Graphic Design, October, 2014

Pacific Northwest College of Art, Portland, Oregon

Bachelor of Arts in Digital Media, October, 2010

Skills

Emotional Intelligence

Teamwork

Risk Management

Documentation

Model Making

Digital Art

Props Design

Drafting

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Professional Summary

A highly creative and detail-oriented Set Designer with a passion for art and design. Experienced in designing and constructing sets for various productions, with a focus on creating visually stunning and functional works of art.

Employment history

Senior Set Designer, Twitter San Francisco, California

January 2010 – Present

Design sets for films, television, theater, and other productions
Oversee the installation and removal of sets
Work within a given budget to create sets

Set Designer, Google Mountain View, California

January 2009 – December 2009

Attend production meetings and provide input on set design
Create sketches and scale models of set designs
Supervise the construction of sets and manage set crews

Entry Level Set Designer, Twitter San Francisco, California

June 2008 – December 2008

Design sets for films, television, theater, and other productions
Collaborate with directors, producers, and other creatives to create the desired look and feel of the production
Oversee the installation and removal of sets

Education

California Institute of the Arts, Valencia, California

Bachelor of Arts in Digital Media, May, 2008

Skills

Computer Literacy

Collaboration

Problem Solving

Stress Management

Model Making

CAD

Set Construction

Texturing

Use This set designer Resume Template

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set designer Job Descriptions; Explained

If you're applying for an set designer position, it's important to tailor your resume to the specific job requirements in order to differentiate yourself from other candidates. Including accurate and relevant information that directly aligns with the job description can greatly increase your chances of securing an interview with potential employers.

When crafting your resume, be sure to use action verbs and a clear, concise format to highlight your relevant skills and experience. Remember, the job description is your first opportunity to make an impression on recruiters, so pay close attention to the details and make sure you're presenting yourself in the best possible light.

set designer

Seek influences from other art forms such as theatre, the visual arts, and architecture.
Design sets, lighting, costumes, and other artistic elements of productions, in collaboration with cast members.
Develop set designs based on evaluation of scripts, budgets, research information, and available locations.
Estimate set- or exhibit-related costs including materials, construction, and rental of props or locations.
Direct and coordinate construction, erection, or decoration activities in order to ensure that sets or exhibits meet design, budget, and schedule requirements.
Read scripts in order to determine location, set, and design requirements.
Submit plans for approval, and adapt plans to serve intended purposes, or to conform to budget or fabrication restrictions.

set designer

Supervise assistants’ work throughout the design process.
Prop management.
Plan, coordinate, and oversee logistics.
Collaborate with those in charge of lighting and sound so that those production aspects can be coordinated with set designs or exhibit layouts.

set designer

Attend rehearsals and production meetings in order to obtain and share information related to sets.

set designer Job Skills

For an set designer position, your job skills are a key factor in demonstrating your value to the company and showing recruiters that you're the ight fit for the role. It's important to be specific when highlighting your skills and ensure that they are directly aligned with the job requirements, as this can greatly improve your chances of being hired. By showcasing your relevant skills and experience, you can make a compelling case for why you're the best candidate for the job.

How to include technical skills in your resume:

Technical skills are a set of specialized abilities and knowledge required to perform a particular job effectively. Some examples of technical skills are data analysis, project management, software proficiency, and programming languages, to name a few.

Add the technical skills that will get hired in your career field with our simple-to-use resume builder. Select your desired resume template, once you reach the skills section of the builder, manually write in the skill or simply click on "Add more skills". This will automatically generate the best skills for your career field, choose your skill level, and hit "Save & Next."

3D Modeling
Drafting
Sculpting
CAD
Lighting Design
Fabrication
Woodworking
Painting
Set Construction
Props Design
Art Direction
Visual Effects
Set Dressing
Model Making
Texturing
Scenic Design
Costume Design
Photography
Digital Art
Color Theory
Storyboarding

How to include soft skills in your resume:

Soft skills are non-technical skills that relate to how you work and that can be used in any job. Including soft skills such as time management, creative thinking, teamwork, and conflict resolution demonstrate your problem-solving abilities and show that you navigate challenges and changes in the workplace efficiently.

Add competitive soft skills to make your resume stand-out to recruiters! Simply select your preferred resume template in the skills section, enter the skills manually or use the "Add more skills" option. Our resume builder will generate the most relevant soft skills for your career path. Choose your proficiency level for each skill, and then click "Save & Next" to proceed to the next section.

Communication
Interpersonal
Leadership
Time Management
Problem Solving
Decision Making
Critical Thinking
Creativity
Adaptability
Teamwork
Organization
Planning
Public Speaking
Negotiation
Conflict Resolution
Research
Analytical
Attention to Detail
Self-Motivation
Stress Management
Collaboration
Coaching
Mentoring
Listening
Networking
Strategic Thinking
Negotiation
Emotional Intelligence
Adaptability
Flexibility
Reliability
Professionalism
Computer Literacy
Technical
Data Analysis
Project Management
Customer Service
Presentation
Written Communication
Social Media
Troubleshooting
Quality Assurance
Collaboration
Supervisory
Risk Management
Database Management
Training
Innovation
Documentation
Accounting
Financial Management
Visualization
Reporting
Business Acumen
Process Improvement
Documentation
Relationship Management.

How to Improve Your set designer Resume

Navigating resume pitfalls can mean the difference between landing an interview or not. Missing job descriptions or unexplained work history gaps can cause recruiters to hesitate. Let's not even talk about the impact of bad grammar, and forgetting your contact info could leave your potential employer hanging. Aim to be comprehensive, concise, and accurate.

Employment history

Lead Set Designer, The New York Times New York City, New York

September 2019 – May 2022

Maintain safety standards on set
Ensure sets are built in accordance with relevant regulations
Liaise with other departments (e.g. lighting, sound, wardrobe) to ensure the set is built to their specifications

Set Designer, Twitter San Francisco, California

October 2018 – September 2019

Troubleshoot any problems that arise with set design and construction
Source and purchase materials for set construction
Liaise with other departments (e.g. lighting, sound, wardrobe) to ensure the set is built to their specifications

Jr. Set Designer, Facebook Menlo Park, California

April 2017 – September 2018

Source and purchase materials for set construction
Attend production meetings and provide input on set design
Create sketches and scale models of set designs

Education

Pacific Northwest College of Art, Portland, Oregon

Photography Certificate, February, 2017

Skills

Presentation

Training

Technical

Documentation

Painting

Texturing

Photography

Fabrication

Provide your Contact Information and Address Year Gaps

Always explain any gaps in your work history to your advantage.

Key Insights

Employers want to know what you've accomplished, so make sure to explain any gaps using a professional summary.
Adding extra details and context to explain why you have a gap in your work history shows employers you are a good fit for the position.

How to Optimize Your set designer Resume

Keep an eye out for these resume traps. Neglecting to detail your job roles or explain gaps in your career can lead to unnecessary doubts. Grammar blunders can reflect negatively on you, and without contact information, how can employers reach you? Be meticulous and complete.

Employment history

Chief Set Designer, Apple Inc. Cupertino, California

April 2015 – Present

Reserch and develope new set desgins.
Wrk withn a givn budjet too creat setts.
Desin sets fer films, t-v, theatre, an' othr productions.

Associate Set Designer, The New York Times New York City, New York

April 2014 – March 2015

Reserch and develope new set desgins.
Wrk wihin a gven budet t crete setts.
Deveop sett designs that are visually appeling an fit the productions theme.

Jr. Set Designer, IDEO Chicago, Illinois

April 2013 – March 2014

Education

Pacific Northwest College of Art, Portland, Oregon

Master of Arts in Graphic Design, February, 2013

Pacific Northwest College of Art, Portland, Oregon

Bachelor of Arts in Fashion Design, February, 2009

Skills

Documentation

Planning

Negotiation

Adaptability

Digital Art

3D Modeling

Scenic Design

Set Construction

Include Job Descriptions and Avoid Bad Grammar

Avoid sending a wrong first impression by proofreading your resume.

Key Insights

Spelling and typos are the most common mistakes recruiters see in resumes and by simply avoiding them you can move ahead on the hiring process.
Before submitting your resume, double check to avoid typos.

set designer Cover Letter Example

A cover letter can be a valuable addition to your job application when applying for an set designer position. Cover letters provide a concise summary of your qualifications, skills, and experience, also it also gives you an opportunity to explain why you're the best fit for the job. Crafting a cover letter that showcases your relevant experience and enthusiasm for the Accounts Payable role can significantly improve your chances of securing an interview.

Chief Set Designer
Facebook
Menlo Park, California

To the respected Facebook Recruitment Team

I am writing to express my interest in the Chief Set Designer role at Facebook. As a Set Designer with 7 years of experience, I am confident that I possess the necessary skills and qualifications to excel in this position.

My diverse life experiences have taught me the importance of adaptability, creativity, and resilience. Whether it was on the job, or simply on my day to day, I have learned to navigate challenges and find innovative solutions. I am confident that I possess the skills and expertise necessary to excel in the position at Facebook and I am excited about the opportunity to grow with a team that values these qualities and contribute to your organization's growth and success.

I appreciate the opportunity to apply for the Chief Set Designer position. I am confident that I can make a valuable contribution to your organization and that together there is no challenge that we cannot overcome. I will be waiting, hopeful for what the future will bring.

Thank you for your time,
Ernest Roberts
753-073-9895
ernest-roberts@aol.com

Ernest Roberts

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