Films can be located anywhere; creating the visual world or setting for a film is the role of the Art Department. The look of sets or locations transports audiences into the world of the story, and is an essential element in making films convincing and evocative. These settings are rarely left to chance by film makers; a great deal of work and imagination goes into constructing appropriate backdrops to any story.

The Art Department usually employs the largest number of people on any film crew. On big budget fantasy, period drama or sci-fi films, the Art Department Offices, and Drawing and Construction Studios can occupy a vast area and employ hundreds of talented people. The Production Designer is the head of the Art Department, and works closely with the Director to create the overall look of the film.

Months before the beginning of each film shoot, the Production Designer works with the Director to decide upon the visual identity of the film, and draws up sketches which provide the inspiration for the subsequent work of the entire department. Since the work of the Art Department usually accounts for the biggest spend on films, the Production Designer also works closely with the Producer to ensure that all the sets can be delivered on time and within budget.

Transforming the initial drawings to 3-dimensional sets takes an enormous amount of talent and commitment from everyone in the Art Department - from the Production Designer to the Art Department Runner. Months are spent researching, story boarding, drafting, model making, visiting locations, building sets, ordering props and dressing sets before filming begins.

Throughout the shoot, new sets must be built and dismantled in short periods of time, and the Art Department must be on constant standby in case sets need to be changed or rebuilt. Most practitioners in the Art Department are Art School graduates, and for those who aspire to become Art Directors and/or Production Designers experience is as valuable as talent.

The creative jobs in this department require an eye for decoration and detail, the ability to conceptualise ideas and think visually, a methodical approach to work, and excellent communication skills. Art Directors and Production Designers usually enter the Art Department as Runners, progressing to become Trainees, Assistants, and Junior Draughtsmen* before earning the opportunity to take more senior positions as Assistant Art Directors or Draughtsmen*. Set Decorators usually start as Assistant Set Decorators. There are also a number of support roles, including Production Buyers and Art Department Co-ordinators, which are less creative but which require excellent organisational skills.

* The terms Draughtsman or Draughtsmen are used generically and refer to both men and women practitioners