Profession production designer

Production designers are responsible for the complete look (style, colouring and locations) of television programmes, series, motion pictures and commercials. They create the visual concept for the entire production such as set design, lighting, costumes and camera angles. Production designers work together with the director, designers and oversee the art department. They also create sketches, drawings, do colouring and location research and advise props and stage settings to the director.

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Personality Type

Knowledge

  • CAD software

    The computer-aided design (CAD) software for creating, modifying, analysing or optimising a design.

  • Film production process

    The various development stages of making a film, such as scriptwriting, financing, shooting, editing, and distribution.

Skills

  • Supervise costume workers

    Coordinate and direct costume workers in the process of drawing, cutting and sewing costumes and samples.

  • Use CAD software

    Use computer-aided design (CAD) systems to assist in the creation, modification, analysis, or optimisation of a design.

  • Analyse a script

    Break down a script by analysing the dramaturgy, form, themes and structure of a script. Conduct relevant research if necessary.

  • Consult with production director

    Consult with the director, producer and clients throughout the production and post-production process.

  • Conduct research on trends in design

    Conduct research on present and future evolutions and trends in design, and associated target market features.

  • Analyse logistic needs

    Analysing the logistic needs of all the different departments on the organisational level.

  • Manage budgets

    Plan, monitor and report on the budget.

  • Estimate duration of work

    Produce accurate calculations on time necessary to fulfil future technical tasks based on past and present information and observations or plan the estimated duration of individual tasks in a given project.

  • Manage staff

    Manage employees and subordinates, working in a team or individually, to maximise their performance and contribution. Schedule their work and activities, give instructions, motivate and direct the workers to meet the company objectives. Monitor and measure how an employee undertakes their responsibilities and how well these activities are executed. Identify areas for improvement and make suggestions to achieve this. Lead a group of people to help them achieve goals and maintain an effective working relationship among staff.

  • Create production schedules

    Create the timeline for the production of a motion picture, broadcast program or artistic production. Decide how long each phase will take and what its requirements are. Take into account the existing schedules of the production team and create a viable schedule. Inform the team of the schedule.

  • Develop design concept

    Research information to develop new ideas and concepts for the design of a specific production. Read scripts and consult directors and other production staff members, in order to develop design concepts and plan productions.

Optional knowledge and skills

select costumes make film shooting schedule design lighting ensure cooperation among production, costume department and make-up department make set construction drawings recruit employees use storyboards search for a suitable location work with the director of photography make photographic storyboards photography draw design sketches work with the lighting crew work with the camera crew lighting techniques develop a specific interior design attend rehearsals ensure visual quality of the set create set models budget set costs arrange permits design props

Source: Sisyphus ODB