You can study for a higher national diploma or degree in a relevant subject, like:

• fine art
• interior design
• architecture
• 3D design
• theatre design

You could also do a course in performing arts production or design for film and television at some universities, colleges and drama schools.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

• 1 or 2 A levels, or equivalent, for a higher national diploma
• 2 to 3 A levels, or equivalent, for a degree

You could do a creative course at college to learn some of the skills you'll need to get a trainee position. 

Courses include:

• production arts practice
• art and design
• photography
• interior design

Entry requirements

Entry requirements for these courses vary.

You could apply to do a Scenic Artist Level 3 Advanced Apprenticeship, or Scenic Construction Technician Level 3 Advanced Apprenticeship.

These can take around 2 to 3 years to complete and are a mix of workplace training and off-site study.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

• 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths, for an advanced apprenticeship

You could get a junior position with a company and work your way up through training and promotion. 

For example, you might start as a:

• set designer's assistant
• art department trainee
• assistant prop maker
• TV or film production runner

You'll find it useful to build a portfolio of your design work to show potential employers what you can do.

You can use examples from being involved in:

• student theatre or film
• local amateur or community theatre
• low budget independent films

You'll need:

• knowledge of the fine arts
• design skills and knowledge
• to be thorough and pay attention to detail
• the ability to use your initiative
• the ability to work well with others
• the ability to come up with new ways of doing things
• the ability to accept criticism and work well under pressure
• excellent verbal communication skills
• to be able to use a computer and the main software packages confidently

As a set designer, you could:

• read scripts and discuss the director's vision for the production
• research details that will go into the set design
• work closely with costume, make-up, props, camera and lighting teams
• design scale models to show how sets will look, and make refinements
• oversee the building of sets by your team
• create digital scenery to project onto stage and set backdrops
• make sure sets are built on time and to an agreed budget

You could work in a theatre, in an office, on a film set, at a film studio or in a creative studio.

Your working environment may be physically demanding and outdoors some of the time.