Will AI replace Set and Exhibit Designers?
AI can do 65% of the work Set and Exhibit Designers do at least twice as fast. Real use has not caught up: none of their tasks show up in real AI use yet, but AI could speed up 14 of them. Robots can technically handle 1 physical task. 12 still need a person.
AI is already doing this0 · 0% of time
People already use AI for these tasks in real work, based on Anthropic's analysis of how Claude is used.
- Real AI use has not reached any of this job's tasks yet.
AI could do this next14 · 65% of time
AI can speed these up by at least half, but real use has not caught up yet. These are next in line.
- Prepare rough drafts and scale working drawings of sets, including floor plans, scenery, and properties to be constructed.11% of time
- Develop set designs, based on evaluation of scripts, budgets, research information, and available locations.11% of time
- Confer with clients and staff to gather information about exhibit space, proposed themes and content, timelines, budgets, materials, or promotion requirements.6% of time
- Prepare preliminary renderings of proposed exhibits, including detailed construction, layout, and material specifications, and diagrams relating to aspects such as special effects or lighting.6% of time
- Submit plans for approval, and adapt plans to serve intended purposes, or to conform to budget or fabrication restrictions.5% of time
- Research architectural and stylistic elements appropriate to the time period to be depicted, consulting experts for information, as necessary.5% of time
- Estimate set- or exhibit-related costs, including materials, construction, and rental of props or locations.4% of time
- Collaborate with those in charge of lighting and sound so that those production aspects can be coordinated with set designs or exhibit layouts.4% of time
- Read scripts to determine location, set, and design requirements.4% of time
- Examine objects to be included in exhibits to plan where and how to display them.2% of time
- Plan for location-specific issues, such as space limitations, traffic flow patterns, and safety concerns.2% of time
- Assign staff to complete design ideas and prepare sketches, illustrations, and detailed drawings of sets, or graphics and animation.2% of time
- Confer with conservators to determine how to handle an exhibit's environmental aspects, such as lighting, temperature, and humidity, so that objects will be protected and exhibits will be enhanced.1% of time
- Provide supportive materials for exhibits and displays, such as press kits, advertising, publicity notices, posters, brochures, catalogues, and invitations.1% of time
Robots can technically do this1 · 4% of time
Physical tasks that today's robots can perform in at least some settings. Robots are cost competitive for very few tasks so far, so this change moves slower.
- Design and build scale models of set designs, or miniature sets used in filming backgrounds or special effects.Robots: purpose built settings4% of time
Still needs a person12 · 32% of time
No real AI use, no proven AI speedup and no robot that can do it yet. This is the part of the job to build on.
- Direct and coordinate construction, erection, or decoration activities to ensure that sets or exhibits meet design, budget, and schedule requirements.6% of time
- Attend rehearsals and production meetings to obtain and share information related to sets.6% of time
- Select set props, such as furniture, pictures, lamps, and rugs.4% of time
- Acquire, or arrange for acquisition of, specimens or graphics required to complete exhibits.2% of time
- Inspect installed exhibits for conformance to specifications and satisfactory operation of special-effects components.2% of time
- Design and produce displays and materials that can be used to decorate windows, interior displays, or event locations, such as streets and fairgrounds.2% of time
- Observe sets during rehearsals in order to ensure that set elements do not interfere with performance aspects such as cast movement and camera angles.2% of time
- Coordinate the transportation of sets that are built off-site, and coordinate their setup at the site of use.2% of time
- Select and purchase lumber and hardware necessary for set construction.1% of time
- Coordinate the removal of sets, props, and exhibits after productions or events are complete.1% of time
- Arrange for outside contractors to construct exhibit structures.1% of time
- Incorporate security systems into exhibit layouts.under 1% of time
Your week is not the average
Describe what you actually do and get a personal report: your own tasks, what AI can already do, what stays yours and a 90 day plan.
What this means
AI can do most of this work faster, but a real part of the job still needs a person. Real use is still behind at 0 out of 100, so the change here is only getting started. The people who learn which tasks to hand off will pull ahead.
What to do next
- Get ahead on the 14 tasks AI could do next. These move as tools improve, so learning them early pays off.
- Keep an eye on the 1 physical task robots can technically do. Cost keeps most robots out of work today, so this shift is slower.
- Build on the 12 tasks that stay human. This is where your judgment, skill and relationships matter most.
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