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Set & Exhibition Designer

Creative

Design special exhibits and sets for film, video, television, and theater productions. May study scripts, confer with directors, and conduct research to determine appropriate architectural styles.

Creative Arts & MediaArchitecture & Built Environment

What you'd do all day

The tasks that matter most in this job, most important first.

  1. 1Develop set designs, based on evaluation of scripts, budgets, research information, and available locations.
  2. 2Prepare rough drafts and scale working drawings of sets, including floor plans, scenery, and properties to be constructed.
  3. 3Prepare preliminary renderings of proposed exhibits, including detailed construction, layout, and material specifications, and diagrams relating to aspects such as special effects or lighting.
  4. 4Read scripts to determine location, set, and design requirements.
  5. 5Submit plans for approval, and adapt plans to serve intended purposes, or to conform to budget or fabrication restrictions.
  6. 6Attend rehearsals and production meetings to obtain and share information related to sets.
  7. 7Confer with clients and staff to gather information about exhibit space, proposed themes and content, timelines, budgets, materials, or promotion requirements.
  8. 8Research architectural and stylistic elements appropriate to the time period to be depicted, consulting experts for information, as necessary.
  9. 9Observe sets during rehearsals in order to ensure that set elements do not interfere with performance aspects such as cast movement and camera angles.
  10. 10Collaborate with those in charge of lighting and sound so that those production aspects can be coordinated with set designs or exhibit layouts.
  11. 11Select set props, such as furniture, pictures, lamps, and rugs.
  12. 12Design and build scale models of set designs, or miniature sets used in filming backgrounds or special effects.
  13. 13Examine objects to be included in exhibits to plan where and how to display them.
  14. 14Assign staff to complete design ideas and prepare sketches, illustrations, and detailed drawings of sets, or graphics and animation.
  15. 15Direct and coordinate construction, erection, or decoration activities to ensure that sets or exhibits meet design, budget, and schedule requirements.
  16. 16Inspect installed exhibits for conformance to specifications and satisfactory operation of special-effects components.
  17. 17Estimate set- or exhibit-related costs, including materials, construction, and rental of props or locations.
  18. 18Coordinate the transportation of sets that are built off-site, and coordinate their setup at the site of use.
  19. 19Confer with conservators to determine how to handle an exhibit's environmental aspects, such as lighting, temperature, and humidity, so that objects will be protected and exhibits will be enhanced.
  20. 20Plan for location-specific issues, such as space limitations, traffic flow patterns, and safety concerns.
  21. 21Select and purchase lumber and hardware necessary for set construction.
  22. 22Acquire, or arrange for acquisition of, specimens or graphics required to complete exhibits.
  23. 23Arrange for outside contractors to construct exhibit structures.
  24. 24Design and produce displays and materials that can be used to decorate windows, interior displays, or event locations, such as streets and fairgrounds.
  25. 25Incorporate security systems into exhibit layouts.
  26. 26Coordinate the removal of sets, props, and exhibits after productions or events are complete.
  27. 27Provide supportive materials for exhibits and displays, such as press kits, advertising, publicity notices, posters, brochures, catalogues, and invitations.

Also known as

What this job is called on JobStreet, LinkedIn and in job ads. Search these too.

  • Creator
  • Designer
  • Exhibitor
  • Exhibit Tech
  • Food Stylist
  • Set Designer
  • Room Designer
  • Set Decorator
  • Event Designer
  • Event Decorator

How far is this from you?

Roughly how much preparation this job usually takes. In Malaysia your UPU route and the programme's syarat still decide entry, so treat this as a guide, not a gate.

  1. 1

    Entry straight after SPM

  2. 2

    SPM + sijil / short TVET course

  3. 3

    Diploma / TVET (sijil–diploma)

  4. 4

    Degree (ijazah sarjana muda)

  5. Typical entry

    Postgrad (sarjana / PhD) or professional route

Typical educationBachelor's degree

Subjects that matter here

The SPM subjects worth your effort for this career, with the reason for each.

Visual Art (PSV)Draws directly on Fine Arts — a top knowledge area for this role (O*NET).
Technical Comm. GraphicsDraws directly on Design — a top knowledge area for this role (O*NET).
Engineering DrawingDraws directly on Design — a top knowledge area for this role (O*NET).
Computer Science / ICTDraws directly on Computers and Electronics — a top knowledge area for this role (O*NET).
Electrical & Electronic Eng. StudiesDraws directly on Computers and Electronics — a top knowledge area for this role (O*NET).

What you'd need to know

The subject areas this job leans on most, and the SPM subjects that build them.

  • Fine Arts99%

    Visual Art (PSV)

  • Design98%

    Visual Art (PSV)Technical Comm. GraphicsEngineering Drawing

  • Computers and Electronics76%

    Computer Science / ICTElectrical & Electronic Eng. Studies

  • Building and Construction70%

    Civil Engineering StudiesEngineering DrawingDesign & Technology (RBT)

  • History and Archeology69%

    History (Sejarah)

  • English Language65%

    English

Tools you'd use

Software and equipment that show up in this job, worth learning early.

Where to learn these, free

Scholarships & funding

What the work feels like

Day-to-day working conditions, so you can tell whether the job suits how you like to work.

  • Face-to-face discussionsEvery day
  • Contact with other peopleContact most of the time
  • Dealing with customers or the publicHigh
  • Leading or coordinating othersHigh
  • Handling conflict situationsRarely
  • Indoors, air-conditionedEvery day
  • Outdoors, in all weatherRarely
  • Time spent sittingMost of the time

AI and demand for this job

A few real, dated data points — not a single score. AI making some tasks faster usually means a job changes, not that it disappears.

15%

Share of everyday tasks today's AI can already help with (2023)

This estimate is from 2023 — already out of date, since AI moves fast. Treat it as a rough, aging starting point, not the current picture.

Pay in Malaysia

We don't have a sourced Malaysian salary range for this job yet, and we'd rather show nothing than a number we can't stand behind.

Where to check:

  • JobStreet and Hiredly job ads for this title
  • DOSM Salaries & Wages Survey
  • SSPA scheme tables, if you're aiming for a government post
See pay for a related career: Graphic Designer

Check what you may qualify for

Enter your SPM grades and see which routes and programmes you may qualify for. An estimate to plan with, not an offer.

Check my eligibility Not sure yet? Take the quiz

How to get here

Post-SPM pathways with programmes in this career's fields. Tap one to see real programmes and entry requirements.

Asasi / Foundation

One-year runway into a specific university: public via UPU or private direct entry.

12 months

Diploma

Skill-first qualification. Work after, or enter degree Year 2. Polytechnics keep it affordable.

2.5–3 years

Related careers

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About this information

This describes what the job involves. Pay, demand and entry routes differ in Malaysia, so check the Pathways and Programmes pages for local requirements.

O*NET occupation: Set and Exhibit Designers

Job responsibilities, knowledge areas and work context from O*NET 30.3, US Department of Labor, used under CC BY 4.0. onetcenter.org