Would you like to work as a set designer for the photo, television, movie or theatre industries? If you are already a home stager, then you probably can! Property staging shares many of the exact same skills as set design, so making the transition full or part time is a natural fit.
Set creation is a great job that can help you to make more money than many other design arts. You can work just about anywhere in the world and do not have to maintain a business presence locally like you would as a home stager. Best of all, you do not have to invest anything to become a set stylist for media applications, since the production team will provide you the funds you require to get the job done every time.
This post details what it is like to work as a designer of media sets. We will focus on the ability to offer set design services, while still working as a home stager, since this is a great way to diversify your income stream far into the future.
What is a Set Designer?
All media types feature sets. These are the backgrounds where products, models or actors are featured. In essence, all the stuff that surrounds the focal point of the media is considered a set.
There are closed sets, such as those contained in a photography studio and open sets that are part of the “real world”. Set stylists must know how to make each work optimally to place focus on the scene being documented and the message intended.
Sets are important parts of all photo shoots. Whether a photographer is shooting models or products, the background will set the tone for the entire shoot.
Sets are vital to theatre, since they create a living world on what would otherwise just be a flat and lifeless stage.
Sets are really important in television and movies, where they create whole worlds which tell the story and make the action seem genuine.
Set Stylists
Styling media sets is very close to home staging in many ways. The set stylist must create an appealing design that complements the action being documented. This is very similar to how a stager must create appeal to lure potential buyers into emotional connections with a piece of property.
Some sets will be much more organic for stagers to create than others. Obviously sets featuring residential décor will be perfectly suited for property stagers to work on. In fact, these are a great way to break into the business of set design!
Sets are exactly like the real world. Anything can be created in order to fulfill specific needs. If you are creative and work well as part of a team of production personnel, then working in the set design industry might be just the break you have been searching for.
Tips on How to Succeed as a Set Designer
Home staging definitely has similar skills to set design. However, there are also many differences. Some stagers will have difficulty making the transition to set styling. Therefore, we offer these expert tips to help all of you to at least dabble in set styling in your own vocational path:
You will need to make entirely new connections in order to find work in this industry. Instead of real estate pros, you will need to connect with photographers, ad agencies, production companies, theater companies, acting groups and similar professionals in the media arts.
You will have the best success offering set design services that mirror your own experiences in property staging. Start with interior rooms and sets that mimic staging you have already done. This will be an easy adjustment for you and will showcase your best work right from day 1.
Try adding set design to your offered services as a niche aspect of your business to begin. It will be difficult to just focus on set design without experience and training first. Use your existing business experience and acumen to get your first jobs as a set stylist and go from there.
Finally, be flexible and willing to work cheaply or even for free to get your foot in the door. Connections are more important than money when you first begin working in set design. Always remember this and do not be afraid to do favors in order to get more work in the future. Community theatre is a great place to start!
Don’t forget to document your work and then also show how it looks in the finished media presentation!