Performance Video Designer
Key facts
Performance video designers develop a projected image design concept for a performance and supervise the execution of it. Their work is based on research and artistic vision. Their design is influenced by and influences other designs and must be conform with these designs and the overall artistic vision. Therefore, the designers work closely with artistic directors, operators and the artistic team. Performance video designers prepare media fragments to be used in a performance, which can involve recording, composing, manipulating and editing. They develop plans, mapping, cue lists and other documentation to support the operators and production crew. They sometimes also work as autonomous artists, creating video art outside a performance context.
Performance video designers are crucial members of performance production teams, responsible for the visual elements projected during shows. This role blends artistic vision with technical expertise, requiring a deep understanding of video manipulation, projection mapping, and how visuals interact with other design elements like lighting and set design. You’ll research, conceptualize, and execute a cohesive video design that supports the overall artistic direction, often working within a collaborative environment.
- • Developing a projected image design concept based on artistic vision and performance requirements.
- • Preparing media fragments, including recording, composing, manipulating, and editing video content.
- • Creating detailed plans, mapping layouts, and cue lists for operators and the production crew.
Where this occupation is in demand
Reported labour shortages and surpluses, by year. Published for occupation groups, not for individual job titles.
Figures cover Science and engineering professionals — 274 jobs including this one.
In shortage: Malta.
Select a place on the map to see its figures.
About this source›
Source: ELA/EURES labour shortages and surpluses. Readings are published at occupation-group level, and cover Europe. Editions differ in annex layout and country coverage, so a change between years does not always mean the labour market changed. Countries in grey were not reported, which is not the same as being in balance.
What these words mean
The four things this section reports
- Reported demand
- Whether employers report needing people in this job — a judgement published by a national or EU body, not a count.
- Where it is heading
- Which way employment in this job is expected to move over the coming years, from an official projection.
- Openings
- Roughly how many openings arise — from growth and from people leaving the job.
- Typical pay
- What people in this job typically earn where the source publishes it. Blank does not mean unpaid; it means nobody publishes it for that place.
A measure is left out when nobody publishes it for that place, rather than shown as zero.
Which way the market leans for you
- In your favour
- More openings than people looking — employers are competing for candidates.
- Balanced
- Openings and candidates are roughly matched.
- Competitive
- More people looking than openings — expect to compete.
- Mixed evidence
- Sources disagree, or the same occupation group is short in one part and oversupplied in another.
Every source resolves to one of these four, so there is a single vocabulary to learn. What differs is the evidence behind it, which is printed underneath each verdict — a measured ratio of openings to jobseekers, or an assessment published by a national body.
How this job compares with other jobs in the same country
- Strong
- Among the strongest in that country
- Good
- Stronger than most jobs in that country
- Mixed
- About typical for that country
- Weak
- Weaker than most jobs in that country
This is a rank within one country, not a score you can carry across borders — the registers behind two countries count different people, so the same number means different things in each. It is also why a job can be among the strongest in a country and still show as Competitive: it leads the field in a market that is crowded overall.
Where these come from
Every figure is published by a national statistics office, a public employment service or an EU body, and each card names its source and the period it covers. Some places are counted monthly, others assessed once or twice a year, so two places on the same map can be describing different moments — the date is always shown.
None of this predicts one person’s chances. It describes a market.
Reported demand · Typical pay · Where it is heading (United States, Ireland, Australia, Malta, United Kingdom)
| Reported demand | Typical pay | Where it is heading | |
|---|---|---|---|
| United States | Not reported | $104,000 2025-05 | +7% 2024–2034 · BLS 2024-2034 |
| Ireland | Not reported | — | +35.5% 2023–2035 · Cedefop 2026 * |
| Australia | Assessed as balanced Jobs and Skills Australia 2025 * | — | — |
| Malta | Shortage reported ELA/EURES 2024 * | — | — |
| United Kingdom | Not reported | £31,236 2025-provisional | — |
* Published for occupation groups, not for individual job titles.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OEWS)
Source: Office for National Statistics, Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings, Open Government Licence v3.0
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Future Outlook for performance video designer
The outlook for performance video designer reflects a balanced mix of automation exposure and durable, human-led work.
How are these scores calculated?
The Resilience Score (0–100) estimates how structurally protected this occupation is from automation and AI disruption, based on task-level analysis. Higher scores mean more human-judgment-intensive tasks. AI Exposure shows the estimated percentage of task hours that current AI capabilities could affect. These are model-derived structural indicators, not predictions about individual job security.
How could performance video designer change as AI adoption grows?
This role is likely to change gradually, with AI supporting selected tasks rather than replacing the whole occupation.
Illustrative scenario based on task automatability — not a forecast. Values are rounded the further ahead you look.
This role is likely to change gradually, with AI supporting selected tasks rather than replacing the whole occupation.
Illustrative scenario based on task automatability — not a forecast. Values are rounded the further ahead you look.
Model-based estimate. Use it as a planning signal, not a guarantee.
Compare this to your profile
How AI may change this role
Deterministic, model-based interpretation of current role signals — not a guarantee of replacement.
What still depends on people
- work ergonomically
- communicate during show
- propose improvements to artistic production
Where AI may become a co-pilot
- analyse the artistic concept based on stage actions
- analyse music score
- verify feasibility
Tasks most exposed to automation
- analyse a script
Vital Signs & AI Vectors
AI Exposure Vectors
0-100%Exposure to AI-assisted analysis, pattern recognition, and predictive modelling tasks
Exposure to content generation, creative augmentation, and large language model tools
Exposure to physical automation, robotics, and sensor-driven task displacement
Exposure to workflow automation, decision-support software, and process digitisation
Technical Details
NexFuture v3.0 estimates automation exposure natively from ESCO essential-skill groups, weighted by skill mass and calibrated against expert anchors. Scores are probabilistic estimates, not guarantees. See the NexFuture Methodology White Paper for full details.
Measures automation exposure. It does not measure pay, demand, or how many jobs exist near you.
What people in this role usually do
Arts, Entertainment, & Design
A typical day as a performance video designer
09 09:00 · Morning adapt existing designs to changed circumstances
10 10:30 · Mid-morning adapt to artists' creative demands
12 12:00 · Midday analyse a script
14 14:00 · Afternoon analyse music score
15 15:30 · Late afternoon analyse the artistic concept based on stage actions
17 17:00 · Wrap-up analyse the scenography
Task order is illustrative. Individual days vary.
What you need to do this work
The skills, knowledge and tools this role calls for — and the traits and rewards that come with it.
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update design results during rehearsals
Updating the design results based on observation of the stage image during the rehearsals, especially where the different designs and the action are integrated.
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adapt existing designs to changed circumstances
Adapt an existing design to changed circumstances and ensure that the artistic quality of the original design is reflected in the final result.
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develop design concept
Research information to develop new ideas and concepts for the design of a specific production. Read scripts and consult directors and other production staff members, in order to develop design concepts and plan productions.
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develop design ideas cooperatively
Share and develop design ideas with the artistic team. Conceptualise new ideas independently and with others. Present your idea, gain feedback and take it into account. Make sure the design fits with the work of other designers.
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analyse the artistic concept based on stage actions
Analyse the artistic concept, form and structure of a live performance based on observation during rehearsals or improvisation. Create a structured base for the design process of a specific production.
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analyse music score
Analysing the score, form, themes and structure of a piece of music.
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monitor sociological trends
Identify and investigate sociological trends and movements in society.
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research new ideas
Thorough research for information to develop new ideas and concepts for the design of a specific production based.
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analyse the scenography
Analyse the selection and distribution of material elements on a stage.
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edit digital moving images
Use specialised software to edit video images for use in an artistic production.
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communicate during show
Communicate efficiently with other professionals during a live performance show, anticipating any possible malfunctioning.
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propose improvements to artistic production
Assess past artistic activities with a view to improving future projects.
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monitor developments in technology used for design
Identify and explore recent developments in technology and materials used in the live performance industry, in order to create an up-to-date technical background for one’s personal design work.
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work ergonomically
Apply ergonomy principles in the organisation of the workplace while manually handling equipment and materials.
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safeguard artistic quality of performance
Observe the show, anticipate and react to possible technical problems, ensuring optimal artistic quality.
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tune a projector
Focus and tune a projector.
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assess power needs
Prepare and manage the provision of electrical power for different areas.
adobe creative suite
The set of software applications that are used to create visual content for personal or business use. Examples of items that can be generated are flyers, brochures, books, websites and videos.
- computer graphics
- copyright legislation
- labour legislation
Path to become a performance video designer
What it typically takes to qualify: education level, where it is a regulated profession, and where to study.
Bachelor's or equivalent level
83 programmes in 19 countries teach the core skills of this job. Plus 48 short courses that build single skills.
A few examples, taught in the language of this page:
Professional Diploma in Design for Transformation
National College of Art and Design · Ireland
Bachelor of Arts in Visual Communications and Design
South East Technological University · Ireland
Koulutuskeskus Salpaus · Finland
Type and Media
Koninklijke Academie van Beeldende Kunsten · the Netherlands
Bachelor of Arts (Hons) in Design for Stage + Screen - Production Design
Dun Laoghaire Institute of Art, Design and Technology · Ireland
Graphic Design
Kilkenny & Carlow Education and Training Board · Ireland
These are 6 of 131.
Sources
- 1. Source: Europass Qualification Dataset Register (European Commission)
- 2. Source: Opintopolku.fi (Finnish National Agency for Education)
- 3. Bron: DUO open onderwijsdata
Growth Pathways & Similar Roles
Explore typical career progression paths, adjacent skills, and similar roles to plan your next transition.
Where does performance video designer fit?
Similarity scores based on skill overlap from ESCO data.
For organisations
The data on this page, working for your students, clients and staff.
Frequently asked questions
What’s the difference between a video editor and a performance video designer?
Do I need a formal education to become a performance video designer?
Can I work as a performance video designer independently?
How much does Performance Video Designer pay in the United States?
Sources: ESCO O*NET Cedefop BLS Data updated October 3, 2026 About our data