Production Designer Job Description: Duties, Skills & Requirements

Key Takeaways

• Production designers are the creative heads of the art department, responsible for the complete visual environment of a film, television series, or commercial
• The role encompasses concept development, set design, location selection, construction supervision, department budgeting, and collaboration with directors and cinematographers
• Department size ranges from 5 people (indie features) to 80+ (studio features), with budgets from $100,000 to $20M+
• Compensation ranges from $3,000/week (indie) to $20,000+/week (major studio features), with annual income dependent on weeks worked
• The position requires ADG membership (IATSE Local 800) for most major productions, with entry through 600 days of verified art department work