Patience is Key to Success Here: Set Designer

What is it like to be a set designer?
Honestly speaking, it is a mix of feelings. On one hand, you feel dejected at not being recognised, as is the norm in our industry in India; on the other hand, you feel elated after seeing your imagination unfold in front of you.

What are the problems a professional can face?

Initially, people do not give you much respect — in India, an art director or a set designer is taken as a fabricator. Aspiring professionals should be ready to work even as carpenters on the sets. A set designer also has to bear the brunt of bad temper/ demands from all quarters — producer, director and cinematographer. One has to reach the set before anyone else and be the last to leave. So, the work pressure is very high.

Any special courses to learn before joining the field?
Nowadays, everything is software-driven. So, it’s good if you know software such as 3D Home, Max and Corel Draw. For an edge, an art education — Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Fine Arts (BFA/MFA) — is desirable.

Tell us about some of your satisfactory moments.
There are hardly any. Producers rarely appreciate our work, because they know if they do so, they will have to churn out huge amounts of money in their next venture. Such grievances apart, satisfaction comes when you are a part of some programme or film that sends out some social message.
I’d like to mention a programme called Jasoos Vijay, which used to come on Doordarshan. The programme had a message on AIDS and that gave me satisfaction — I felt proud to be a part of the team.

What’s your advice to aspiring professionals?
They should be technically sound and have loads of patience. In fact, I’d say patience is the key that will lead them through the worst of situations.