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      Imagining new worlds: set design

      Lesson details

      Learning outcome

      I can use paper techniques to develop a set design.

      Key learning points

      1. Set design is the art of designing environments and atmospheric spaces.
      2. Colour combinations and different mark- making techniques can be used to represent different atmospheres.
      3. Card brackets are useful in constructing temporary three dimensional spaces.
      4. To test and show the scale of space, silhouettes of actors can be placed in the space.

      Keywords

      • Set design - the art of designing environments and atmospheric spaces

      • Scale - in set design means the relative size of the space to the size of the actors

      • Mood board - a collection of sketches, images, colours, textures and words that show the look and feel of an idea

      • Three-dimensional - something that has height, width, and depth

      Common misconception

      Set designers work only in theatre and film.

      Set design is used in many different contexts, including theatre, film, fashion, art and music.

      Teacher tip

      You could also encourage pupils to use small-scale props to place in the scene.

      Equipment

      A range of materials and textures for the mood board task and paper, cardboard, paint and masking tape.

      Licence

      This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2025), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0
      except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions
      (Collection 2).

      Lesson video

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      Prior knowledge starter quiz

      6 Questions

      Q1.
      Which of the following is not an example of a design industry?

      architecture
      product
      Correct answer: painting
      fashion design

      Q2.
      What is the term that refers to the purpose or intended use of something?

      benefit
      design
      feature
      Correct answer: function

      Q3.
      What is the term that refers to how things look and feel?

      Correct answer: aesthetics
      design
      function
      perception

      Q4.
      An important part of the design process is the stage to consider different possible solutions.

      Correct Answer: planning, experimentation, exploration

      Q5.
      What can be used to help visualise a design solution?

      photograph
      checklist
      Correct answer: sketch
      mind-map

      Q6.
      What is the term given to aesthetics, function and interactivity within design?

      Correct Answer: design principles, principles

      5 Questions

      Q1.
      What discipline of design is the art of designing a physical setting or environment?

      Correct Answer: set, set design

      Q2.
      Set design is used in many contexts, including theatre, film, fashion, art and music.

      Correct Answer: different, varied

      Q3.
      What do set designers often use to start exploring the subject they are designing for?

      sketchbook
      models
      Correct answer: mind maps
      mood boards

      Q4.
      What do Tim Yip and Cleo Pettitt often use to visually explore their designs?

      Correct Answer: mood boards, moodboards

      Q5.
      What is it called when something has height, width and depth?

      Correct Answer: three-dimensional, three-dimensions, 3D

      To help you plan your 7 art and design lesson on: Imagining new worlds: set design, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...