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Production Designer

Designs the physical world of the production and leads Art, Construction, Set Dec, Graphics and Props liaison on UK film/TV.

Duties

• Read the call sheet and sides before arriving
• Maintain radio/set etiquette and H&S
• Hand over notes/kit status at wrap
• Design sets and palette
• Lead art dept and budget
• Approve builds and dressings

Reports to

Director / Producer

Works with

Supervising Art Director, Art Directors, Set Decorator, Prop Master, Graphics, Construction Manager, Costume, Gaffer, DoP

Career path

Art Dept Assistant → Art Director → Production Designer

Day to day

Recce with Director/DoP; boards and budgets with LP; lead art meetings; approve sets/finishes; walk stages; protect design through shoot and pickups.

Call times

Prep is office/workshop-led. On shoot days, dress/reset cover is often pre-call; night dress and strike around stages is normal UK studio practice.

What to wear

Smart-casual in prep/office; blacks and boots on set/stage; PPE on construction liaison days.

Tools & kit

Laptop, measuring tools, sample bag, radio on set days; drawing tools for draughting grades.

Tips

Confirm title, agreement, budget band, prep/wrap and kit fee on the deal memo before accepting. We never invent Bectu figures — check bectu.org.uk ratecards / your branch.

Software

• SketchUp / Vectorworks / AutoCAD (paid)
• Photoshop / Procreate
• PureRef
• Midjourney / Firefly for concept exploration (paid; check rights)
• ChatGPT for research briefs
• Vectorworks / AutoCAD / SketchUp / Rhino
• Adobe Photoshop / Illustrator / InDesign
• PureRef / Milanote moodboards

Related roles

Art Director, Set Decorator, Prop Master

More Art Department roles