Theatre, Fashion, Exhibit, and Other Creative Designers

(NOC 5243)

in All Art, Culture, Recreation and Sport

Designers in this group conceptualize and produce designs for film, television, theatre and video productions, garments, and textiles, displays and exhibits, and for other creative items like jewellery and trophies. Theatre designers work for performing arts and broadcasting companies and festivals. Fashion designers work for by clothing and textiles companies or may be self-employed. Exhibit designers work for museums and retail companies. Other creative designers in this group work for manufacturing companies or may be self-employed. 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 like sportswear, footwear or formal wear.

Job Outlook

Average

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  • Estimate change in employment not available for this occupation.
  • Estimate 0 openings due to growth and retirements, 2021-2023
  • Estimate rate of unemployment not available for this occupation.

Compared to: All Art, Culture, Recreation and Sport

  • Estimate 840 employment change, 2021-2023
  • Estimate 1495 openings due to growth and retirements, 2021-2023
  • Estimate rate of unemployment not available for these occupation.

Hourly Pay

$14.50

Minimum

$19.34

Median

$30.98

Maximum

Annual Pay

N/A

Minimum

$11,403

Median

N/A

Maximum

Compared to: All Art, Culture, Recreation and Sport

Hourly Pay

$13.00

Minimum

$21.00

Median

$40.00

Maximum

Annual Pay

$945

Minimum

$11,712

Median

$60,447

Maximum

About the job

Nature of work

Designers in this group conceptualize and produce designs for film, television, theatre and video productions, garments, and textiles, displays and exhibits, and for other creative items like jewellery and trophies. Theatre designers work for performing arts and broadcasting companies and festivals. Fashion designers work for by clothing and textiles companies or may be self-employed. Exhibit designers work for museums and retail companies. Other creative designers in this group work for manufacturing companies or may be self-employed. 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 like sportswear, footwear or formal wear.

Job 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, retail spaces and other exhibitions.

Sample job titles

  • clothing designer
  • costume designer
  • exhibit and display designer
  • jewellery designer
  • museum exhibit designer
  • set designer - theatre
  • sound designer
  • store display designer
  • visual merchandiser
  • window display designer

Skills

  • A natural ability to draw along with a good sense of creativity and imagination are beneficial. You should have an understanding of artistic principles and be able to visualize a finished piece of work from a sketch or brief description. Computer design and production skills are essential for the commercial jobs in this field. Self-discipline in meeting deadlines and a good business sense are also very important.

Job 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.

Other considerations

  • Many senior practitioners choose self-employment and manage their own businesses or freelance. Creative ability, as demonstrated by a portfolio of work, is required. Use of computer-aided design (CAD) software may be required. Designers may advance to supervisory and management positions.

By the numbers

Quick look

190

employed in 2016

60.5%

employed full-time

36.8%

self employed

73.7%
Icons/female Created with Sketch.
26.3%
Icons/male Created with Sketch.
41.5

median age

Compared to: All Art, Culture, Recreation and Sport

11,000

employed in 2016

53.3%

employed full-time

29.3%

self employed

55.6%
Icons/female Created with Sketch.
44.4%
Icons/male Created with Sketch.
38.2

median age

Where will I likely work?

64.1%

Halifax

$14,557 median annual income
10.3%

Annapolis Valley

N/A
10.3%

North Shore

N/A
10.3%

Cape Breton

N/A
5.1%

Southern

N/A

Compared to: All NS Occupations

47.0%

Halifax

15.6%

North Shore

12.9%

Annapolis Valley

12.7%

Cape Breton

11.8%

Southern

Top Industries of Employment

51.6%

Retail trade

19.4%

Professional, scientific and technical services

9.7%

Manufacturing

6.5%

Information and cultural industries

6.5%

Arts, entertainment and recreation

What is the age of Employment?

29.0%

35-44

26.0%

25-34

18.0%

45-54

13.0%

55-64

8.0%

15-24

5.0%

65+

Compared to: All Art, Culture, Recreation and Sport

29.7%

15-24

15.9%

35-44

15.7%

45-54

15.4%

25-34

14.9%

55-64

Top levels of education

34.2%

High school

$6,589 median annual income
28.9%

College Diploma

N/A
23.7%

Bachelor

$27,648 median annual income
7.9%

Less than high school

N/A

Compared to: All Art, Culture, Recreation and Sport

26.4%

Bachelor

$17,829 median annual income
24.9%

High school

$7,552 median annual income
19.5%

College Diploma

$22,120 median annual income
13.7%

Less than high school

$2,922 median annual income
7.9%

Master

$36,173 median annual income

Education & training

Drama and Theatre Arts

College or University Program

These programs focus on the general study of dramatic works and their performance. They include courses in major works of dramatic literature, dramatic styles and types, and the principles of organizing and producing full live or filmed productions.

Institutions providing this program

Acadia University

Wolfville, NS

Dalhousie University

Halifax, NS

University of King's College

Halifax, NS

Cape Breton University

Sydney, NS

Fashion Design

College, Trades, or University Program

These programs prepare students to apply artistic principles and techniques to the professional design of commercial fashions, apparel, and accessories, and the management of fashion development projects. They include courses in apparel design, accessory design, the design of men's, women's, and children's wear, flat pattern design, computer-assisted design and manufacturing, concept planning, designing in specific materials, labour and cost analysis, history of fashion, fabric art and printing, and the principles of management and operations in the fashion industry.

Institutions providing this program

NSCAD University

Halifax, NS

Fibre, Textile and Weaving Arts

College, Trades, or University Program

These programs prepare students creatively and technically to express emotions, ideas, or inner visions by constructing art works from woven or non-woven fabrics and fibrous materials. They include courses in weaving techniques and loom operation, non-woven techniques like knitting and crocheting, quilting, dyeing and pigmentation, printing and other finishing techniques, pattern design, tapestry, and personal style development.

Institutions providing this program

NSCAD University

Halifax, NS

Metal and Jewellery Arts

College, Trades, or University Program

These programs prepare students creatively and technically to express emotions, ideas, or inner visions by fashioning art works from gems, other stones, and precious metals. They include courses in gemology; metalsmithing and finishing, stone cutting and polishing, metal and non-metal casting and moulding, electroforming, metal colouring, enamelling, photo etching, lapidary technique and art, design concepts, and personal style development.

Institutions providing this program

NSCAD University

Halifax, NS

Employment requirements & contacts

No regulating bodies were found under this occupation profile

Contacts

Craft Nova Scotia
Halifax, NS

Additional resources

There are no additional resources for this occupation.