• Try “portfolio”, “ink”, “branding” or a code like “PRS 101”.

FEA 210Film and Entertainment Arts

Graphic Props and Set Graphics

Design in-world graphics that read on camera: signage, labels, documents, packaging and screens, from brief to print-ready files and set dressing.

In developmentDraft content

About this course

Graphic props and set graphics make fictional worlds believable: shop signs, newspapers, product labels, ID cards, posters, documents and screen content. This course covers designing for the camera (scale, legibility at distance, ageing, period accuracy), avoiding real brands and trademarks unless cleared, making fictional names, addresses and numbers safe to use, preparing print-ready files for many substrates, producing multiples and repeats for continuity, and working to tight deadlines. It draws on the founder's art-department experience, with no productions named.

Who it’s for: Graphic designers and illustrators with solid layout and print-production skills who want to work in film and television graphics. Introduction to Film Art Departments is required.

You will be able to

  • Design a graphic prop that reads clearly at its expected camera distance
  • Create fictional brands, names and details that avoid clearance problems
  • Design period- and place-appropriate graphics from research
  • Prepare print-ready files for paper, vinyl, fabric and other substrates
  • Plan multiples, ageing and continuity for a set of graphics

Prerequisites

Studio project

A five-piece set graphics package for a fictional scene, with research, clearance-safe fictional brands, print-ready files and a tracking and continuity plan.

To complete this course

  • Complete every required lesson.
  • Have the assignment “Set graphics package” accepted by an instructor.
  • Records of completion are issued only for courses whose content has passed instructor review.

Part of

Syllabus

Working titles: they may change as the course is written.

  1. Module 1: Designing for camera

    The camera, not the viewer in the room, is the audience.

    1. 1.1Legibility at distanceReading · 30 min
    2. 1.2Colour, surfaces and lightingReading · 25 min

  2. Module 2: Clearance-safe design

    Fictional worlds need fictional details.

    1. 2.1Fictional brands and productsStudio · 50 min
    2. 2.2Names, numbers and addressesReading · 25 min
    3. 2.3Existing art and logosReading · 20 min

  3. Module 3: Period and place

    Research makes it believable.

    1. 3.1Period researchExercise · 40 min
    2. 3.2Place and characterReading · 25 min

  4. Module 4: Production and print

    From file to set.

    1. 4.1Print-ready filesExercise · 45 min
    2. 4.2Multiples, repeats and continuityReading · 25 min
    3. 4.3Ageing and finishingStudio · 45 min

  5. Module 5: Working under deadlines

    Fast, organised and approved.

    1. 5.1Graphics trackingExercise · 30 min
    2. 5.2Presenting for approvalReading · 20 min

Author: Ricketts University curriculum team (draft for founder review) · Not yet reviewed

Related courses

  1. FEA 101

    Introduction to Film Art Departments

    How a film or television art department is organised, who does what, how work flows from script to set, and where graphic designers fit.Film and Entertainment Arts    Foundation8 lessons · ~6 hPlanned
  2. FEA 301

    Production Portfolio Development

    Build a production-focused portfolio and resume for art department roles, including how to present work you can't show yet.Film and Entertainment Arts    Advanced9 lessons · ~10 hPlanned
  3. PRS 210

    Creating Portfolio Case Studies

    Select your strongest projects and turn them into case studies that show your thinking, process and results, not just the final image.Professional Identity and Online Presence    Intermediate13 lessons · ~12 hIn development
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