The set designer is responsible for the look of the set. Working with the director, the set designer takes the play and envisions the world around the characters. In practical terms, the set designer is responsible for for drafting the set design and getting it approved by the appropriate authority, in plenty of time for the set to actually be built. The set design illustrates all elements on the stage that aren't props (this includes furniture), and shows the exact dimensions and location of each set element. The set designer must also coordinate their efforts with all the other designers to ensure that all the physical elements of the set, particularly the color scheme, combine into an effective whole.

Often the set designer is also responsible for the painting of the set, particularly in the absence of a master scenic painter. This includes the mixing of paint to acheive the right colors as well as all artistic aspects of the set, such as painting the flats and the drawing of any unusual (as in non-linear) aspects of the set.

Stim set designers face a special challenge because Stim is essentially a touring company, of which Penn's campus is just the preview performance. For this reason, Stim sets must be designed to be portable with minimal changes in the set. Travelling sets must be light enough and simple enough for the cast to handle without technical assistance, and must fit in their entirety in the Stim van.

Past Stimulus Set Designers: Ethan Max, Jonah Paransky, Jeremy Tartak, Roni Charnov, Rico Rodriguez

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