The Efforts Behind Becoming a Stage Designer

Stage design shapes the viewer's experience, transforming a good event into a great one. Stages come in all forms, sizes, and functions because each one expands the event it serves. The entertainment sector is no exception. Here are stages carefully crafted to meet specific needs. Behind every stage is a stage designer, or even a team of designers, who bring these concepts to life. This article will explore what it takes to become a stage designer in the entertainment industry and how you can start your journey.

Stage design in a nutshell 

A stage designer creates not just a backdrop but a visual story that accentuates the event's strengths and helps tap into the viewers' emotions. Collaborating with different specialists and teams, from decorators to scriptwriters, the stage designer ensures that the scene they create is both stunning and practical for meeting the event's goals.

"My main task is to create the visual identity of an event or show, shaping its style and spatial design. Therefore, I'm involved in the project from concept development to final implementation. Collaborating with various departments such as CG, AR, and technical teams, I ensure the most effective implementation of the design idea. Plus, I oversee the construction process, working closely with set designers and prop specialists. A stage design must not only complement the script but, in many cases, actively shape the action itself," comments  Ihor Chupryna, stage designer at WePlay Studios.

Just as the stage perfectly balances functionality and creativity, the stage designer must manage the fine line between creative vision and technical skill. In the entertainment industry, stage designers need to think not only about aesthetics but also about functionality, ensuring everything works smoothly under live conditions.

"Scenography in gaming is a distinct genre worked under technical constraints, including player positioning, audience visibility, and so on. However, video games offer a rich visual language that inspires stage design and spatial solutions. With the right approach, events and tournaments can transform into fully immersive worlds, enhancing the audience experience and deepening their engagement with the show," shares Ihor Chupryna.

Designers transform an event's theme into a visual story that sets the tone and atmosphere for the entire experience. To bring designers' ideas to life, technical expertise is essential. Stage designers must have hands-on experience in construction and engineering to bring their ideas to life while ensuring safety and functionality.

"One of the biggest mistakes a stage designer can make is coming up with bold ideas that are impossible to execute from a practical or engineering standpoint—when imagination outpaces experience and contradicts the laws of physics. Scenography is a highly practical art. A designer's reputation is built not on beautiful 3D visualizations and concepts but on successfully executed projects," says Ihor.

Starting the career

Scenographers or stage designers are rare professions nowadays. Few educational institutions train specialists in this field, and they typically provide only a basic foundation that often fails to keep up with evolving trends and modern technologies. Moreover, this foundation is usually focused on classical theater and may not always apply to the world of events and large-scale shows. Many professionals in this field come from related disciplines, such as directors, lighting designers, interior designers, or theater artists.

"From my experience, education is invaluable. Knowledge of composition, art history, directing, and dramaturgy help me in my work. I take courses from scenography masters worldwide for additional insights. I also lecture on scenography at my alma mater, guiding students through the profession's challenges. It's also crucial to stay updated on the latest technical innovations in the field. The industry is evolving rapidly, introducing new tools like AR and XR and ways to engage with audiences," ensures Ihor Chupryna.

Education is essential, but hands-on experience carries a lot of weight. A picture is worth a thousand words, and when it comes to design, that's especially true. A solid portfolio is key in the entertainment industry. It's the best way to showcase a designer's creativity, skill set, and the range of shows they've worked on. Along with final production images, designers should also include sketches to demonstrate the entire design process. This helps show how their ideas evolved and highlights collaboration with other professionals, like lighting designers, sound engineers, or set builders.

"Posting your work on platforms like ArtStation and similar resources can help gain visibility. Even small projects—art installations, commercial shoots, or amateur theater productions—can serve as a strong foundation of your portfolio," advises Ihor.

Starting a career can be tough, but succeeding is even tougher. Aspiring designers can gain their first experience through internships, volunteering, or personal projects. The early stages of a design career are often all about challenges. However, while it's not always easy, it's essential for learning the ropes and building real-world experience.

"I began as a stage director, with a strong passion for design and talent for drawing. I pitched my ideas to television producers, and gradually, they were implemented. After all these years, I'm sure that success comes from understanding the work's complexities, facing challenges, and balancing creative vision with technical execution," sums up Ihor.