Theatre, fashion, exhibit and other creative designers

Overview

Theatre, fashion, exhibit and other creative designers conceptualize and produce designs for film, television, theatre and video productions, garments and textiles, displays and exhibits, and for other creative items such as jewellery and trophies. Theatre designers are employed by performing arts and broadcasting companies and by festivals; fashion designers are employed by clothing and textile companies or may be self-employed; and exhibit designers are employed by museums. Other creative designers in this unit group are employed by manufacturing establishments or may be self-employed.

This group performs some or all of the following duties:

  • Theatre designers

  • Design and create settings, scenic environments, properties, costumes and lighting for theatre, film and video productions, operas and ballets.

  • Fashion designers

  • Design and create clothing and accessories for men, women and children.

  • Exhibit designers

  • Plan and develop permanent and temporary or moveable exhibits and displays for museum exhibitions, trade shows, conventions and other exhibitions.

  • Theatre designers may specialize in costume, lighting or set design; fashion designers may specialize in men's, women's or children's apparel or in different lines such as sportswear, footwear or formal wear.

Job titles

  • assistant costume designer
  • clothing designer
  • costume designer
  • couturier - haute couture
  • crest designer
  • designer - theatre

Employment prospects

Source: BC Labour Market Outlook 2023 edition

Annual salary

Low

$53,808

Median

$70,180

High

$93,852

Job openings

Use this interactive map to explore job openings in different regions across B.C.

British Columbia

426

expected job openings (5-year forecast)

Education and training

Employment requirements

  • A university degree in fine arts or visual arts with specialization in theatre design, clothing design or exhibit design or completion of a college or art school program in theatre design, clothing design or exhibit design is required.

  • Creative ability, as demonstrated by a portfolio of work, is required.

  • Use of computer-aided design (CAD) software may be required.

Additional information

  • Designers may advance to supervisory and management positions.

Certification requirements

  • No certification requirements

Post-secondary programs in B.C.

Explore programs related to this career offered at post-secondary institutions in B.C.

Beneficial post-secondary programs (not required)

Other careers