Great Lakes Institute of Management, Chennai
Globally Recognized by AACSB (US) & AMBA (UK) | 18 LPA Avg. CTC for PGPM 2026
Set designers in India are in high demand in the visual arts sectors. Set designers create and design visually appealing surroundings for films, television shows, theatre, advertisements, and other events. A set designer mainly focuses on layout, props, and set appearance, which are needed to bring a scene or concept into a visual format. There are multiple colleges that offer set designing specialisations, such as National Institute of Design, Whistling Woods International, and many more. To learn indeepth about set designing, candidates are advised to persue B.Des or M.Des courses in visual communication design, production design, art direction. Read the complete article to know the famous set designers in India, the life of a set designer, career scope, salary, and courses to become a set designer.
Set designers are the creative people who handle the complete shoot location of any film, television show, advertisement, or any other event to bring visually appealing concepts. They work closely with directors, art directors, and production teams to create engaging sets which matchs the director's vision, story, and production requirements. Check the below sections to get a detailed overview of set designers in India:
Particulars | Details |
Role | Set Designer |
Workplaces | Film, television shows, advertisements, web series, or any corporate event. |
Skills Required | Creativity, visualisation, drawing, team handling, space planning, and colour & shape knowledge. |
Courses |
|
Check the top set designers in India who have worked in some of the prominent projects in India:
Set Designers Names | Known For |
Nitin Chandrakant Desai | Lagaan, Devdas, Jodhaa Akbar, and Prem Ratan Dhan Payo |
Sabu Cyril | Baahubali series, Robot (Enthiran), and Om Shanti Om |
Narendra Rahurikar | Dilwale, Chennai Express, and OMG 2 |
Thota Tharani | Nayakan, Dasavatharam, and Ponniyin Selvan. |
Set designers convert any location into a visually appealing set based on the director and production team’s vision. They mainly focus on the concept, sketching, space planning, material selection, and visualisation. They work closely with project leads such as directors, architects, and the production head. They work closely with directors & production teams and analyse the scripts to create engaging backdrops and sets.
Design aspirants and film enthusiasts who want to become a set designer should know the required skills, have a good educational background, and have practical experience. To become a set designer in India, a candidate must have a design or architecture degree and build a strong portfolio through full-time jobs or internships. Check the section below to know the eligibility criteria of a set designer, required skills, and educational background:
Particulars | Details |
Eligibility Criteria | Candidates should complete their 10+2 education from any recognised board and complete their undergraduation from design programme. |
Skills Required | Students should have knowledge of AutoCAD, SketchUp, Blender, Adobe software, sketching, 3D modeling, and basic construction techniques |
Education Qualification |
|
The average salary package for a set designer in India varies based on the level of experience. Compared to freshers or entry-level set designers, most of the set designers get paid based on the project work rather than a monthly salary. Entry-level or mid-level set designers in India secure a salary range of between 3 to 10 LPA depending on their skills and knowledge. Know the salary breakdown of set designers in India:
Job Level | Estimated Salary Package |
Entry level | 3 to 5 LPA |
Mid-level | 4.5 to 8 LPA |
Experienced | Above 10 LPA / Project basis / Freelance work |
Candidates should have various creative skills to become a set designer. Set designers will have to have detailed knowledge of colour and shape theory, space planning, and should know well about the materials. Check the points below to know the skills required to become a set designer:
Drawing/sketching
3D visualisation
Space planning
Creativity
Knowledge of materials
CAD/3D software
Budget management
There are multiple institutions that offer set designing and production design courses in India. Candidates are advised to prefer film and theatre schools to get a detailed and industry-standard curriculum. Below are some of the best colleges that offer courses related to set designing in India:
Best Set Design Colleges | Courses Offered |
Film and Television Institute of India (FTII) | Art Direction and Production Design |
MFA in Cinema with specialisation in Producing for Film and Television | |
| |
National Institute of Design (NID) | B.Des. in Film and Video Communication |
Set designing aspirants are in high demand in the current entertainment market. Students can opt for various careers after completing their set designing specialisation from any recognised institution. Check the table below to know the job roles offered after completing a set designing course:
Career Scope | Job Roles |
Film & OTT Production Houses |
|
Live events / Concerts |
|
On Question asked by student community
Hello student!
If you are preparing for NIFT 2027, it is important to know the syllabus and understand which subjects and areas you need to prepare. You can find the NIFT syllabus and preparation-related information through the resource below.
Given below are the links to access:
https://design.careers360.com/articles/nift-syllabus-2027
https://design.careers360.com/download/ebooks/nift-syllabus-of-ug-pg-programme
Study Materials:
Hello, you can stay updated on upcoming application forms for engineering and B.Des entrance exams through official exam websites and admission portals. You can also follow the latest exam notifications and application updates here:
Hello there!
If you are inquiring about Interior Design at Aligarh Muslim University (AMU), the university offers a 3-year Diploma in Interior Design through the University Polytechnic.
The curriculum covers various aspects of interior design, including CAD, furniture design,
Hi Student,
You can practise previous-year UCEED, NIFT and NID questions and check the correct answers or solutions after attempting them. For UCEED, Careers360 provides previous-year papers with answer keys, while NIFT papers are available with solutions. NID previous-year papers with solutions are also available for practice.
You can start
Hey there,
B.Tech in Game Design Technologies at Dr. YSR Architecture and Fine Arts University is a good option for students genuinely interested in gaming, animation, graphics, and interactive design. The course includes game development, 2D/3D art, animation, and programming, with admission through AP EAPCET . Success depends on your
BBA/MBA/PGDM Early Bird Applications Deadline 19th Oct '26. Apply now using coupon code CAREER250 and get ₹250 off the application fee
Ranked #36 amongst institutions in Management by NIRF | 100% Placement
Globally Recognized by AACSB (US) & AMBA (UK) | 18 LPA Avg. CTC for PGPM 2026
Leading Design College | 95% Placement Record | Merit-cum-Means Scholarships for Deserving Students
75+ years of legacy | #1 Entrance Exam | Score accepted by 250+ BSchools
Get up to 100% scholarship on B.Des. & BBA admissions through your CUET-UG score | No. 1 Design & Fashion Institute by ASSOCHAM, India Today, Outlook and The Week rankings