Intro to Set Design

Set design is the collaborative process of designing and creating scenery and sets, which help to convey a production’s concept, tone, and ultimately, the director’s artistic vision. The set designer begins by doing research, then creates sketches and builds or uses scale models to conceptualize set pieces and arrangement, all the while considering and selecting materials, colors, and other decorative elements. Technical drawings are also made by the set designer for construction teams to follow, with the set designer overseeing construction as well.

Set designers are instrumental in upholding the artistic vision of a production, using scenery and props to establish location and mood and help tell the story. Set designers must use careful consideration when constructing sets to ensure that they stay on budget, create a safe working environment for actors and crew, and design sets with easy movement, storage, and breakdown in mind.

The Set Design Process

Reading The Script

The script is typically the first place a set designer looks to inform his or her decisions regarding set design. A few script read-throughs will help a set designer to understand setting, mood, and overall artistic vision.

Research

Once the set designer has a good understanding of the script, he or she will thoroughly research any historically-relevant architecture, design trends, clothing, or other cultural elements that will help transport the audience to the world in which the play takes place. Does this production need a street car? An apartment building rooftop? A painted backdrop of the Golden Gate Bridge?

Collaboration

Throughout the set design process, the set designer meets often with the director and creative team to ensure that aesthetic vision stays aligned. In addition to script read-throughs, it’s important to engage in discussions about items like tone, mood, atmosphere, or other intangibles.

Concept

Throughout the set design process, a designer uses a variety of tools to assist in visually explaining their design to the director and creative team. Through the use of sketches, mood boards, renderings, and scale models, a set designer is able to give life to concepts discussed earlier in the set design process.

Set Design Considerations

Budget

Every production has a budget. This means that set designers *probably* should think twice before contracting out that diamond encrusted scrim. Elaborate sets are expensive but hey, if the budget is there, shine on you crazy diamond. Typically though, a set designer doesn’t have a bottomless pit of a budget. In cases where budget is limited, a designer may have to simplify a set’s design or think outside of the box in order to achieve the director’s artistic vision. The budget for the original Broadway production of Wicked was around $14M!

Performance Space

As a set designer, one of the first things considered is going to be the size and space where the performance will be taking place. A smaller stage (like a smaller budget) will limit design possibilities while a larger stage will allow for many more.

Special Effects & Technical Elements

Special effects or technical elements may be considered by a set designer assuming they honor any budget or space constraints… and obviously help move the story along. A set designer probably wouldn’t employ pyrotechnics in a production of Death of a Salesman. We could be into it though, assuming the actors’ and crew’s safety is considered. Safety should always be prioritized when designing a set.

Setting the Scene

Set designers employ a variety of physical elements to create the environment of a production.

Architectural Objects

Objects like platforms, stairs, and ramps are used by set designers to manipulate and define space on stage. Architectural elements allow for dimensional, multi-level sets which can be used to create different areas for actors to perform from.

Backdrops and Stage Drapery

Set designers often use backdrops to help define the world of a theatrical production. Common choices for backdrops include stage flats, which are large, flat, lightweight pieces of scenery typically made of wood, canvas, muslin, or other materials. Usually, these are painted with scenic paints, special paints used for theatrical productions. Scrims are made from sharkstooth scrim and used to create special lighting effects. Cycloramas are another backdrop used when a large, neutral colored backdrop is required. Finally, masking curtains or masking fabrics are used to hide areas that shouldn’t be seen by the audience.

Décor, Furniture and Props

To enhance the world of a play, and further support the action, set designers fill out the set with historically or culturally-relevant décor, furniture, and other objects. Does this production need a football? Tuxedos? A dozen red roses?

Set Building Materials

When selecting materials to build a set, the following materials are commonly used.

Wood

Probably the most common material used in set building is wood. It’s used to construct architectural features like platforms, stairs, flats, ramps, and more. It’s usually accessible, affordable and easy to work with.

Steel

Due to its durability and strength, steel is the smart and safe choice when designing multi-level sets, however, construction requires welding and more expertise than wood.

Fiberglass

Fiberglass is lighter than wood or steel and provides a myriad of creative possibilities for a set designer. It is often used to create windows or other translucent objects.

Scenic Paints

Scenic paints can be used on solid surfaces like stage flats and constructed scenery, as well as textiles like drops to create realistic looking textures and background scenes. Scenic paints like Mann Bros VaraBond are specially formulated to be highly saturated and provide excellent coverage.

Theatrical Fabrics

Theatrical Fabrics like muslin is used for cycloramas, sharkstooth scrim for lighting effects, and canvas for drops. Black masking fabrics like Commando Cloth and Duvetyne are commonly employed to hide areas and objects that shouldn’t be seen by the audience during a production. Additionally, there are a bazillion other theatrical fabrics a set designer may use depending on a production’s needs.

Lighting

Once a set is designed and built, lighting seals the deal on the whole shebang. Lighting helps to establish setting, overall mood, time of day, or call attention to a specific actor or location on stage. For example, warmer light is used for interior or daytime scenes while cooler temperature light is used for evening. Spotlights call attention to a specific location on stage and if timed well, can have a dramatic effect. Tada! Finally, light can be used to help sculpt a set, creating dimension, complementing architecture, or adding visual interest.

If you’re designing or building a set, we’ve got the fabrics, hardware, and production supplies to help you realize your dream. Need a cyclorama or scrim? Get a quote here.