Meet Laura and find out about her life as an art director. Part of our Bitesize world of work series.
Laura Hopkinson - Art director
Working in the art department of children's TV is a brilliant place to work. We make such a variety of props in a really exciting environment. Our department does pre-recorded and live content every day across two channels, so it is really fast-paced but it is a lot of fun.
My days are so varied. I work with a production team to decide what sets and props are required and then I schedule my team designer assistants across both of our channels. I can be drawing sets or buying products or even making clothes for puppets.
At school I studied Art and Graphic Design, which have definitely helped me in this job, but also I did Maths and a good grade for that which has definitely helped towards the budgeting side of this job. So that's planning what materials we can buy and props that we can buy under the limited budget that we have per month and I also get the accounts from the accountant and have to work out every month all of our receipts, so it really has come in handy for me.
My advice for anyone who wants to get into TV art department would be to have a broad creative tool set, whether it's drawing, 3D making, designing on a computer, whether you study these at school or you just practise in your own time; having a broad creative skill set will be invaluable to you.
When I was at school, I never dreamt I would work in television, but it just shows that if you work hard and find all the opportunities out there that there was a chance that you can get involved in something great like this.
When I was at school, I never dreamt I would work in television.
- Laura works in the art department, deciding what sets and props are needed for live and pre-recorded children’s TV shows. Her job is varied and can involve co-ordinating her team, drawing sets, buying products or even making clothes for puppets
- She studied Art and Graphic Design at school, which she regularly uses for this job. She also did Maths, which has helped her with budgeting and managing the accounts in this role
- Laura's advice for anyone who wants to get into a TV art department is to have a broad creative skillset – whether that’s drawing, 3D making or designing on a computer
- Laura says working hard and finding the different opportunities that are out there has led her to a really great job.
Laura is an art director. A similar role to an art director is a set designer. Set designers design and create the settings for commercials, television, theatre and films.
What to expect if you want to be a set designer
- Set designer average salary: variable
- Set designer typical working hours: 40 to 42 hours per week. You could work as a freelancer/self-employed, which would mean managing your own hours.
What qualifications do you need to be a set designer?
You could get into this role via a university course or a college course (such as a Level 3 Certificate or Diploma, or a T-level in Craft and Design from Sept 2023 - England-only). You can also work towards the role.
Sources: LMI for All, National Careers Service, GOV.UK
This information is a guide and is constantly changing. Please check the National Careers Service website for the latest information and all the qualifications needed and the GOV.UK website for more on T-levels.
For careers advice in all parts of the UK visit: National Careers Service (England), nidirect (Northern Ireland), My World of Work (Scotland) and Careers Wales (Wales).
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