# Competences — set designer

Source: ESCO v1.2.1 occupation-skill relations (http://data.europa.eu/esco/occupation/874a2080-a9b6-46a9-8662-c9b7d4208f73).

## Essential

- **adapt existing designs to changed circumstances** (skill/competence)
- **adapt to artists' creative demands** (skill/competence)
- **analyse a script** (skill/competence)
- **analyse music score** (skill/competence)
- **analyse the artistic concept based on stage actions** (skill/competence)
- **analyse the scenography** (skill/competence)
- **attend rehearsals** (skill/competence)
- **coach staff for running the performance** (skill/competence)
- **communicate during show** (skill/competence)
- **conduct costume research** (skill/competence)
- **contextualise artistic work** (skill/competence)
- **create set models** (skill/competence)
- **define artistic approach** (skill/competence)
- **define prop materials** (skill/competence)
- **define set materials** (skill/competence)
- **design props** (skill/competence)
- **develop design concept** (skill/competence)
- **develop design ideas cooperatively** (skill/competence)
- **develop the look of a production** (skill/competence)
- **draw prop sketches** (skill/competence)
- **draw stage layouts** (skill/competence)
- **gather reference materials for artwork** (skill/competence)
- **keep up with trends** (skill/competence)
- **meet deadlines** (skill/competence)
- **model sets** (skill/competence)
- **monitor developments in technology used for design** (skill/competence)
- **monitor sociological trends** (skill/competence)
- **perform quality control of design during a run** (skill/competence)
- **present artistic design proposals** (skill/competence)
- **prevent fire in a performance environment** (skill/competence)
- **propose improvements to artistic production** (skill/competence)
- **research new ideas** (skill/competence)
- **safeguard artistic quality of performance** (skill/competence)
- **sketch set images** (skill/competence)
- **understand artistic concepts** (skill/competence)
- **update design results during rehearsals** (skill/competence)
- **use communication equipment** (skill/competence)
- **use specialised design software** (skill/competence)
- **use technical documentation** (skill/competence)
- **verify feasibility** (skill/competence)
- **work ergonomically** (skill/competence)
- **work safely with chemicals** (skill/competence)
- **work safely with mobile electrical systems under supervision** (skill/competence)
- **work with respect for own safety** (skill/competence)

## Optional

- adapt artistic plan to location (skill/competence)
- adapt props (skill/competence)
- analyse the need for technical resources (skill/competence)
- assemble the rehearsal set (skill/competence)
- build props (skill/competence)
- calculate design costs (skill/competence)
- copyright legislation (knowledge)
- define prop building methods (skill/competence)
- define set building methods (skill/competence)
- define set painting methods (skill/competence)
- develop professional network (skill/competence)
- document your own practice (skill/competence)
- draw up artistic production (skill/competence)
- draw up stage layouts digitally (skill/competence)
- ensure visual quality of the set (skill/competence)
- follow safety procedures when working at heights (skill/competence)
- keep personal administration (skill/competence)
- labour legislation (knowledge)
- lead a team (skill/competence)
- make set construction drawings (skill/competence)
- manage personal professional development (skill/competence)
- mark the stage area (skill/competence)
- organise resources for artistic production (skill/competence)
- paint sets (skill/competence)
- prevent technical problems with scenic elements (skill/competence)
- prevent technical problems with stage equipment (skill/competence)
- prospect new customers (skill/competence)
- provide technical documentation (skill/competence)
- purchase props (skill/competence)
- set up equipment in a timely manner (skill/competence)
- translate artistic concepts to technical designs (skill/competence)
- update budget (skill/competence)
- use personal protection equipment (skill/competence)
- work safely with machines (skill/competence)

<!-- market-evidence -->

## Market evidence (job-ad analysis, 22 ads, as of 2026-07-19)

Share of analyzed job ads mentioning the item (threshold ≥ 20 %). Source: JSearch/Adzuna APIs.

### Hard skills

- set design — **59 %**
- scenic design — **36 %**
- rendering — **32 %**
- build plan creation — **18 %**

### Responsibilities

- production meeting attendance — **23 %**

<!-- market-evidence -->