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19th March 2026
When you watch a piece of theatre, it’s easy to focus on the actors, the story, or the direction. But behind every production is a carefully crafted visual world, one that shapes how the story feels, moves, and connects with an audience. That world doesn’t just happen. It’s designed through performance design and theatre design.
So, could you be a performance designer?
What is a performance designer?
A performance designer is responsible for the visual and sensory world of a production. That might include the set, costumes, and sometimes elements like lighting, sound, or projection. Whether working in theatre design or even branching into design for screen, the role is about bringing stories to life visually.
But more than that, it’s about telling the story through design.
A performance designer doesn’t just ask “what should this look like?”, they ask:
– What does this world feel like?
– How does it reflect the characters or themes?
– How should the audience experience the story?
If a director shapes the narrative, a designer builds the world it lives in.
What does the process actually involve?
Performance design is a creative process, but it’s also practical, collaborative, and constantly evolving.
Interpreting the script – Every project starts with the script. Designers read closely, looking for tone, themes, and visual clues. They begin forming ideas about how the world of the play might look and feel.
Research and concept development – Next comes exploration. Designers gather references, images, textures, colours, historical details and start building a visual language for the piece. This often takes the form of mood boards, sketches, or initial concepts.
Designing the world – Ideas then become tangible. Designers might create, sketches of sets or costumes, scale models of the stage, digital designs. At this stage, creativity meets reality. Designers must think about space, movement, budget, and how the design will actually be built.
Collaboration – Performance design is never a solo effort. Designers work closely with directors, technicians, actors, and other creatives to bring ideas to life. Communication is key, an idea only works if a team can realise it together.
Rehearsal and refinement – Even once designs are in motion, they continue to evolve. Designers attend rehearsals, make adjustments, and solve problems as they arise. A costume might need altering for movement, or a set might need reworking for visibility.
The different paths within performance design
Performance design isn’t one single role, it’s a collection of creative disciplines within theatre design and beyond. You might find yourself drawn to:
– Set design, shaping the physical environment of the stage (a pathway that could lead to a set design master’s degree)
– Costume design, bringing characters to life through what they wear
– Lighting design, creating mood and focus
– Sound or projection design, adding atmosphere and depth
Some designers specialise, while others work across multiple areas. Over time, many develop a style that blends different disciplines together, especially those who go on to study at design masters level like our MA Performance Design course.
What skills do you need?
You don’t need to arrive as a fully formed artist, but there are key skills that help you grow into the role and succeed in theatre design courses.
– Creative thinking – The ability to think visually and generate ideas is at the heart of design. This doesn’t just mean drawing, it means imagining how a story could exist in space.
– Practical making skills – Performance design is hands-on. Whether it’s model-making, working with materials, or developing costume design techniques, you’ll need to understand how ideas become real.
– Problem-solving – Things rarely go exactly to plan. Budgets change, ideas evolve, and unexpected challenges appear. Strong designers adapt and find creative solutions.
– Collaboration – You’ll be working with a wide range of people. Being able to communicate your ideas and respond to feedback is essential.
What is the career like?
Performance design can be an exciting and varied career, but it’s important to understand what it involves. Most designers work freelance, moving between projects. You might spend weeks developing a show, then move on to something completely different.
The work can be intense, fast-paced, and highly collaborative, but it can also lead to opportunities across creative industries, including:
– Theatre
– Film and television (including design for screen)
– Live events and festivals
– Immersive and interactive experiences
Could this be right for you?
Performance design might be a great fit if you:
– Enjoy both creative thinking and hands-on making
– Like working collaboratively
– Are curious about how theatre works behind the scenes
– Want to turn ideas into something real and tangible
How do you get started?
Like many creative fields, the best way to learn performance design is by doing it.
That might mean:
– Experimenting with your own ideas from scripts
– Creating mood boards or sketches
– Observing theatre with a designer’s eye
– Taking part in practical, skills-based theatre design courses
Short, hands-on experiences can be a powerful way to explore whether this path is right for you, while also building the confidence and skills to take the next step.
Theatre Design Courses
If this sounds like something you would be interested in, then we have the perfect theatre design courses to get you started in the world of theatre design.
Designers Development Programme Costume L1 focuses on building skills in research, drawing, fabric selection, and visual communication. You’ll explore how costume design works in practice and how designers collaborate with directors, performers, and makers.
Tuesday 21st April – Tuesday 30th June 2026 | 18:00 – 20:00
Design a Play in 5 Days offers a practical introduction to the core principles of set and costume creation. It’s an ideal starting point for anyone interested in performance design, helping you gain hands-on experience and begin building a portfolio.
Monday 7th – Friday 11th September 2026 | Full-time
MA Performance Design offers postgraduate training. Over the year, you’ll develop a broad range of practical, creative and technical skills by engaging in skills-based classes as well as a combination of project and production work. You’ll also have opportunities to foster creative collaborations with students from your course, as well as other students across the School. We aim to support you in creating a portfolio of projects and realised design work, in preparation for launching your professional career.
