Freelance set and scenography designer

Independent theatre companies, schools and universities, community groups, event producers and small film or photo productions.

A fixed fee per project or a day rate, often quoted in stages: concept, detailed drawings, then optional on-site support.

• Drawing and 3D design software
• Understanding of staging and materials
• Clear communication with directors and builders

• Professional indemnity and public liability insurance, check what suits design work
• Safety of your designs (structure, fire rating, working at height), check who is responsible for sign-off
• Written agreements about who owns the design and how many revisions are included
• Council approval if clients visit your home, check local rules for home-based businesses

Estimates suggest startup costs are typically around $500 to $3,000, depending on your design software, equipment and insurance. Because you work from home and a builder or the client's crew makes the set, you don't need a workshop.

Monthly revenue is typically estimated at around $500 to $3,500, depending on how many projects you take on, the size of each job and how many revisions you include. Written agreements help keep scope and payment clear.

Check professional indemnity and public liability insurance suited to design work, and who is responsible for sign-off on safety, such as structure, fire rating and working at height. Also check written agreements on ownership and revisions, and council rules if clients visit your home.