Special offer 

Jumpstart your hiring with a $100 CAD credit to sponsor your first job.*

Sponsored jobs are 4.5X more likely to result in a hire.**
  • Invite matched candidates to apply
  • Increase your visibility in job search results
  • Appear to more candidates longer

How to Write a Production Designer Job Description Sample

A Production Designer, or Creative Director, creates the visual aspects of a film, TV program or theatre production. Their duties include researching production locations, determining visual styles and managing the art department.

Build a Job Description

What does a Production Designer do?

Production Designers develop the overall visual look of a theatre, film, or TV production while working closely with Directors, Producers, and other professionals. They brainstorm ideas for set decoration, prop construction, location scouting, and scenic paint based on the Director’s vision and ensure the production location is ready. Their job requires researching visual elements by reading art books, using the internet, or researching information on a historical period. A Production Designer may be a full-time, part-time or contract employee. They may also work as freelancers.

Build a Job Description

Production Designer Job Description Examples:

Production Designer duties and responsibilities

A Production Designer is primarily responsible for coming up with visual concepts for a TV, film or theatre production. Other duties and responsibilities include:

  • Going through scripts to identify a visual style that fits the production
  • Creating sketches based on a visual concept to share them with the Director and art department
  • Researching and scouting filming locations and assessing them for visual practicality and scene aesthetics
  • Managing the art department and assigning tasks to Set Designers, Costume Designers and other professionals
  • Attending workshops or training sessions to discover ideas for production designs

Production Designer skills and qualifications

Creative thinking, attention to detail and communication skills are qualities that Production Designers need to perform their duties. They must be good at managing a team to deliver the final output while working under strict deadlines. Other skills and qualifications include:

  • Knowledge of production processes, visual arts, and theories
  • Advanced proficiency in computer-aided design (CAD) programs, Adobe Photoshop, and Adobe Illustrator
  • Ability to plan, schedule, and monitor large projects
  • Ability to sketch ideas
  • Theatre and scenic design skills
  • Ability to work in a fast-paced environment

Production Designer experience requirements

Production Designer candidates should have prior experience working with production design, as an assistant or lead, and typically you should consider applicants with at least two years of work experience. Production Designers with a wide range of previous experience, including local or student theatres, film productions or music societies, can offer an art department a well-rounded perspective. A good Production Designer candidate can start as a freelancer or an assistant to a Production Designer. Applicants with volunteer experience may also be an asset to your organization.

Production Designer education and training requirements

Ideal Production Designer candidates often have a bachelor’s degree in arts, architecture, interior design, theatre studies, or related fields. Vocational programs also offer woodworking and production design training and, given its creative field, sometimes a degree isn’t necessary, especially if your candidate has extensive skills and background. Regardless of education level, ensure your Production Designer is qualified in computer design and software platforms, like CAD and Photoshop. Other education and training requirements depend on your production needs.

Production Designer salary expectations

According to Indeed Salaries, a Production Designer’s average pay in Canada is $21.07 per hour, depending on factors like experience, education, location, and company.

Job description samples for similar positions

If a Production Designer job description is not quite what you’re looking for, other samples are available, including: 

Ready to Hire?Build a Job Description

Production Designer job description FAQs

What qualities make a good Production Designer?

Production Designers often create ideas and concepts and Art Directors work with teams to execute the ideas and concepts, like building a set design and blueprint drawn and approved by the Production Designer. Art Directors communicate the overall artistic vision to set and construction crews. They also hire hair and makeup artists, costume designers, and props vendors. Production Designers research the visual aesthetics of each scene and Art Directors take action and prepare each set to capture the scene’s artistic concept. If the Production Designer discovers any issues, they consult the Art Director to solve it.

Job Description Examples

Need help writing a job description for a specific role? Use these job description examples to create your next great job posting. Or if you’re ready to hire, post your job on Indeed.

No search results found