As a set decorator you play a vital role in bringing the director’s vision to life. Your creativity, resourcefulness and attention to detail are invaluable in designing immersive sets that enhance the storytelling.
However before you can start decorating awe-inspiring sets you need to conquer the interview. Interviewers want to assess not just your design skills, but also your problem-solving abilities, leadership, collaboration, and work ethic.
This article will explore some common set decorator interview questions, discuss sample answers, and provide tips to help you have a stellar interview.
Why Do You Want To Be a Set Decorator?
This question reveals your passion and motivations for choosing this career path. Interviewers want to know what draws you to set decoration specifically.
Sample Answer: I’ve always had a keen eye for aesthetics and the ability to visualize creative environments. My background in interior design honed my skills in sourcing materials, utilizing space, and handcrafting décor pieces. As a set decorator, I’m excited to employ these skills at a larger scale to build immersive worlds that advance storytelling. What I love most is collaborating with talented directors, crews and artisans to literally bring scripts to life. The dynamic, fast-paced nature of production also energizes me. I’m driven by the challenge of turning imaginative concepts into tangible realities under tight deadlines.
Tips: Highlight your specific talents like design, craftsmanship, resourcefulness or project management. Show your enthusiasm for the collaborative, creative yet practical aspects of the job. Avoid generic answers – be specific about why set decorating appeals to you.
How Do You Interpret Set Requirements From a Script?
Here, interviewers want to assess your creative process and ability to translate written text into actual set designs. They want to see that you can read between the lines to fully grasp context and subtext.
Sample Answer: My process begins with a deep reading of the full script to absorb themes, tones, era and character arcs that influence the set. I make copious notes on descriptions of each location, paying attention to lighting, props, furniture and any other details that bring the written word to life visually. I also strive to understand unspoken aspects like the mood, textures and atmospheres that the director aims to evoke. With this multilayered insight, I brainstorm and sketch set concepts that align with the script’s essence. I collaborate closely with directors and share iteration options until we lock down the optimal interpretation.
Tips: Demonstrate your attention to nuance beyond just stated requirements. Emphasize collaboration, open communication and a flexible creative process. Share any techniques like multiple iterations that help you arrive at the best set interpretation.
How Do You Source Set Materials?
Resourcefulness and networking abilities are vital for set decorators. Interviewers want to know where you look to find one-of-a-kind, period-appropriate items that bring authenticity. They also want to assess your budgeting skills.
Sample Answer: My sourcing process starts with extensive online research of vendors, antique dealers, auction houses, salvage yards and rental outlets. I leverage industry contacts and local artisan networks that I’ve organically built over the years to access rare finds. In-person scouting at flea markets and estate sales has also uncovered hidden gems. For custom builds, I collaborate closely with fabrication partners to create set pieces that align with our budget. I use digital programs like FileMaker Pro to organize source details and pricing. This allows me to easily pull options, negotiate quotes and make strategic choices to maximize our decor spend.
Tips: Demonstrate resourcefulness, relationship building skills and shrewd budgeting. Share specific sourcing tactics and organizational systems you use. Prove you can secure quality set dressings without overspending.
How Do You Stay Organized On Large Sets?
Set decorators handle countless moving parts and details every day. Interviewers want to know your strategies for tracking purchases, rentals, props and dressing items to keep large sets organized amidst the chaos of production.
Sample Answer: Organization is crucial when juggling numerous set elements and suppliers across large productions. My process starts by categorizing all items into detailed Excel sheets with supplier info, quantities, rental timelines and costs. I photograph all dressings from various angles and label them according to their spreadsheet line item. For easy visibility on set, every piece has a tag with its reference number. My team and I do thorough walkthroughs to ensure everything matches the sheets. I also use apps like Monday.com to track schedules, budgets, priorities and deadlines in one centralized place for efficient project management.
Tips: Demonstrate your meticulous organization skills by sharing specific systems, tools and tricks of the trade you employ when coordinating large, complex sets. Prove you can bring order to potential chaos.
How Do You Stay On Budget?
Budgeting is an integral part of set decoration. Interviewers will assess your ability to manage budgets efficiently. They want to know your strategies for avoiding going over budget despite last-minute changes.
Sample Answer: From initial design concept to execution, I incorporate budget tracking in all processes to ensure we stay on target. My first step is to break down anticipated spend for every set element in a detailed spreadsheet, allowing quick adjustments as needed. I tap affordable sourcing channels, negotiate cost-effective rentals and reuse existing inventory when possible. As a last resort, I find creative no-cost alternatives like repurposing everyday items. I track actuals daily, allowing me to swiftly identify potential overages and remedy them through renegotiation or value engineering. This rigorous approach has enabled me to consistently deliver exceptional sets on budget, even when unpredictable changes occur.
Tips: Demonstrate your budget savviness. Share specific examples of creative cost-cutting tactics you employ. Highlight financial tracking processes and proactive communication when budget challenges arise.
How Do You Prioritize Tasks?
The ability to prioritize is critical in juggling the many moving parts of set decoration. Interviewers want to understand your approach to prioritizing tasks efficiently amidst tight deadlines and strict budgets.
Sample Answer: Effective prioritization requires considering the schedule, budget and creative vision. I start by identifying the absolute essential tasks needed to achieve the fundamentals of the set design. These become my top priorities. Next are important tasks that enhance the set further. Time and budget permitting, I tackle lower priority ornamental items last. When assessing tasks, I also consider deadlines, resources required and cross-department dependencies. This allows me to sequence tasks logically. I use tools like Asana to assign priorities across all action items and re-evaluate regularly to pivot if needed. The key is maintaining frequent communication with my team and collaborators.
Tips: Demonstrate your logical approach to prioritizing and your ability to focus on must-haves first. Emphasize coordination across teams and adjusting priorities when challenges arise.
How Do You Design Sets For Different Genres?
Set decorators need to adapt their style to different genres. Share examples that showcase your versatility.
Sample Answer: Throughout my career, I’ve designed sets across various genres by modifying my approach to suit each one. For period dramas, I focus extensively on research and authenticity. For sci-fi films, I employ a sense of imagination mixed with practicality for camera movements. Contemporary sets requireSELECTORABRhta utilitarian approach with subtle personality touches. For horror, it’s about enhancing creepy atmospherics through lighting and deliberate wear. Regardless of genre, collaborating with directors to understand their creative vision is key. I draw inspiration from production designers and cinematographers as well to craft unified visual narratives. My ability to tailor my process allows me to elevate any story through strategic, genre-specific set decoration.
Tips: Provide diverse examples that prove your versatility across genres. Emphasize adapting your process while retaining your creative vision.
How Do You Resolve Creative Conflicts?
Egos and tempers can flare on chaotic sets. Interviewers want to know how you respectfully handle creative disagreements with directors or team members. They look for conflict resolution skills.
Sample Answer: My goal is always to have open conversations and find common ground. In creative disagreements, I first seek to understand the other person’s perspective. I present my own viewpoint calmly, focusing on why I believe certain choices enhance the overall production. If needed, I suggest we experiment with different options to see which resonates best with audiences in test screenings. At times, calculated compromises are necessary, so I propose collaborative solutions that incorporate both visions. If tensions escalate, I take a step back to reset and resume discussions rationally. The key is maintaining mutual respect throughout and resolving conflicts in a way that is optimal for the production.
Tips: Demonstrate emotional intelligence in resolving conflicts. Highlight win-win collaborative solutions. Staying respectful and professional is key.
What Are Your Strengths in This Field?
This question allows you to share qualities and skills that make you a strong candidate. Be prepared to back them up with specific examples.
Sample Answer: I believe some of my strongest assets in this field are my creativity, communication skills and calm under pressure. I employ my interior design foundation and continuous learning to infuse unique perspectives into my work. My communication skills, both with crew and vendors, ensure efficient collaboration. Even with last-minute
Advice from Production Designers and Set Decorators
FAQ
What are 3 things set designers do?
How can I be a good set designer?
What questions do interviewers ask about interior design?
To understand a candidate’s knowledge and grasp of interior design, the interviewer is likely to ask design specific questions that help dive deeper into the candidate’s thought processes. They will be looking for examples of the candidate’s creativity and innovative thinking, and things that influence their design decisions.
What skills do you need to be a set decorator?
In terms of skills, proficiency in drawing is encouraged—many set decorators sketch and storyboard in the initial planning stages—as is patience. It can take hours of research and even more hours of scouring rental houses and vintage stores to find the perfect piece for a set.
How do you answer a design interview question?
Avoid a common answer, such as reading interior magazines, and instead, wow the interviewer with a more creative reply, such as visiting international design shows, or subscribing to associations such as ASID and AIA to stay informed. 5. Tell me about your experience with [insert type of design here] design.
How do I prepare for an interior design interview?
Keep eye contact with the interviewer, and don’t fidget or look round the room. Send a prompt “thank you” note after the interview, so you remain on the interviewer’s radar. In-Person Interior Design Interview Tips: Arrive 10 minutes early to make a good impression and give you time to calm any nerves. Dress professionally.
