Careers in the Creative Arts

The Creative Arts industry is a very diverse field and offers many opportunities to follow your passion for creativity, without having to compromise on making a good living and enjoying a fulfilling career. 

The first in our Careers in the Creative Arts series is Stage Designer.  

Can you combine the eye of an artist, an architect’s sense of space and a stylist’s understanding of what looks right?  What is being a Stage Designer all about?

Stage Designer

So, what do they do?

Stage designers design, create and select props for theatrical stages or film sets.  After reading the scripts, stage designers will carry out detailed research on all of the elements associated with the play and collaborate with the director.  Scale models and, increasingly, computer aided design (CAD) are used to illustrate how the sets will look from above and from eye level.  While sets are being built, designers find, buy, or hire props, which they use to dress the sets.  Designers work closely with directors, producers, stage/floor managers, costume designers, lighting designers, craftworkers and technicians.

What type of person would make a good Stage Designer?

Set designers must be creatively minded and with a fine attention to detail.  An in-depth knowledge of the technical and production processes associated with bringing a play to the stage is also needed.  An ability to work as part of a team is a must, as is being flexible with your time as often sets may have to be built quickly or altered due to demands.

OK, so how do I become a Stage Designer?

Ideally, aspiring stage designers will have gained valuable experience in amateur theatre before embarking on their studies towards the professional ranks.  IT Sligo run a Level 7 degree specifically in Theatre Design, while there are also several other Theatre offerings in degree courses and PLC courses around the country that contain specific modules in set design.  The Lir also runs a course in Stage Design and Technical Theatre – this is a direct entry course (not through the CAO).  It provides opportunities in specialist areas within stage management and technical theatre. It includes classes on production management, design (set, lighting, costume and sound) and managing your own freelance business.

Finally, are there jobs and what’s the pay like?!

Although many local theatre groups often operate on a voluntary basis, there are a number of professional theatre companies in the country who hire their own designers, while the major theatres routinely stage professional plays that require a professional theatre designer.  Salary rates can range from €18k - €40k.  Higher salaries are awarded relevant to experience and size of company.

If you are interested in finding out more information about what a Stage Designer is, what they do and how you might become one, just go to our Career Explorer where you will find detailed information on this occupation and over 1,000 other careers. 

You might also do some research on the Art, Craft and Design and Drama & Theatre sectors which are also relevant to this occupation.

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