Job Description and Person Specification

Type of Employment: Freelance – you must be self-employed

Hours: 3 days a week freelance, flexible working hours to be discussed with successful applicant

Role begins: W/C 26th September 2016

Salary range: Approx £1000 per month, dependent on candidate and experience

Duration of appointment: Freelance over period of 4 months

Reports to: Creative Directors

 

Context of role:

Traces London is in a period of expansion and we are seeking a creative, competant and technically able Set Designer to help us in this journey.

Traces is a community of artists, designers, architects and set designers with a reputation for staging some of London’s most imaginative art and design installations in old and sometimes derelict buildings around the city. With a process rooted in archival research, which aims to breathe new life into a building that endures after the installation has ended, Traces isolates a particularly eventful phase in the building’s history and commissions artists to recreate the objects, stories and people which inhabited it then. The result is a multi-sensory experience in which visitors can trace narratives of the building’s past in sights, sounds, smells, textures and tastes created by some of London’s leading and emerging designers.

Acclaimed in publications from Wonderland Magazine to the London Evening Standard, Traces has worked with Designersblock and Tom Dixon at the London Design Festival, and in properties including a disused pub in Hoxton and a department store in Peckham, on projects that have been visited by thousands of people.

We are now developing our next show to be launched this December in partnership with the National Trust.

The Set Designer will be working alongside the Artistic and Creative Directors to help bring Fenton House back to life during the early Georgian Period when the house was owned by The Gee Family.

We are looking for applications from set designers who have experience in immersive design, and who are happy to work with a variety of artists and designers work to transform this listed building. This is a creative and hands on role, we require someone who has th eability to turn a design into a reality.

Main responsibilities

  • Working alongside Head of Design and Creative Director to research and develop ideas into a realistic and achievable build and installation.
  • Being able to thoroughly research Georgian interiors, and keeping the design as realistic as possible to the era we are working with.
  • Finding ways to show the characters that lived at the house at the time through objects and written details.
  • Coordinate internal staff resources and third parties alongside Project Manager (contractors, architects, suppliers, freelance designers, interns, National trust) for the execution of the project
  • Working alongside design volunteers, ensuring they know what they are doing and teaching them new skills where required.
  • Ensure that projects are delivered on time, within scope and within budget.
  • Manage changes to the project scope, project schedule, and project costs.
  • To deal with any unexpected production/ set design circumstances and prepare workable alternative plans with the head of design.
  • Advising project managers and designers on best production methods, finishes, and construction for each project.
  • Monitoring the progress of the production through every stage of the process to ensure it meets the client brief and expectations alongside the project manager.
  • Perform risk management to minimize project risks.
  • Establish and maintain good relationships with third parties.
  • Create and maintain comprehensive project documentation.
  • To ensure accurate finance schedules are maintained for all aspects of production and this is clearly communicated to line manager and other relevant staff.
  • To liaise closely with the finance staff with regard to maintaining accurate records
  • Being on hand onsite for production assistance on installations of projects ensuring the installation is carried out to the highest standards following up on any changes or snagging alongside the project manager.
  • To attend staff and other Traces London meetings. Some meetings may be held outside of normal office hours, including occasional evening and weekend activities as part of your 3 day a week schedule.
  • To promote the aims and objectives of Traces London in a proactive and informed manner.
  • To maintain confidentiality agreements and to conduct yourself in a professional manner during the course of your duties.
  • To undertake duties with an awareness of the need to promote cost-effective and efficient management, taking into account both post requirements and company finances as a whole.
  • To engage with staff and clients of Traces London in a positive and constructive manner and to attend such meetings as the post requires in order to fulfill its aims
  • To ensure that Health & Safety requirements are observed within your area of activity and that all relevant staff/artists/clients/participants are notified regarding Health & Safety issues.

 

Essential Experience

  • At least 3 years professional experience in the arts.
  • Experience of developing and leading artistic projects as a designer, but with a keen interest in production.
  • Experience of leading small – medium projects or productions with budgets of £10 – 50k.

 

  • A skilled multi-tasker, able to juggle multiple projects and responsibilities.

 

  • Excellent people management skills with the willingness to be a team player.

 

  • Coordination of installation/maintenance/de-installation of artist commissions

 

  • Excellent communication skills both spoken and written (friendly, diplomatic and assertive when required)

 

  • Previous experience in designing building based installations

 

  • Previous experience in immersive design (desired)

 

  • Practical and resourceful, calm under pressure

 

  • An interest in immersive design and a wide variety of art forms

 

  • An understanding of technical installations, ability to manage and organise sound and lighting design

 

  • Creative with the ability to input into the design process

 

  • Methodical and enjoy attention to detail whilst able to multi-task efficiently

 

  • IT literate with a working knowledge of PC/Mac, Microsoft Office and/or Google Drive, Adobe Photoshop/InDesign and any CAD software a bonus

 

  • Ability to work well as part of a small team

 

  • Ability to work in a fast paced environment, and to demonstrate an organised, efficient and proactive approach to all tasks

 

  • Energetic, self-motivated, consistently proactive and showing initiative; able to manage their own time well

To apply for this role please send a CV and covering letter along with a portfolio to [email protected]

References a must

 

 

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