Summary
Overview
Work history
Education
Skills
Affiliations
Interests
Languages
Certification
Additional Information
Work availability
Quote
Timeline
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Herald Xhafa

Herald Xhafa

London,United Kingdom

Summary

Creative and highly driven set designer. Possess 10 plus years experience in TV and theatre set designs and construction - experience gained with national broadcasters overseas. Achievements include supporting technical teams to achieve timely project outcomes at different stages in film and set productions i.e. pre-production, production, delivery, and marketing of media content. I am excited to continue working and extending my skillset and interests in the UK.

Overview

8
8
years of professional experience
5
5
years of post-secondary education
1
1
Certification

Work history

Set Designer & Set Production Assistant

Top-Channel TV
Tirana, Albania
10.2013 - 11.2017

TV shows such as Shine Group's “Master Chef Albania”, Top Channel tv show “Select”,

Top Channel tv show “Pa Limit”


  • Read scripts to identify factors indicating a particular visual style.
  • Consider the production brief, whether written or given orally, to understand the requirements.
  • Met with the producer and director to discuss concepts and production requirements.
  • Researched art history, background politics, and historical information to develop design ideas.
  • Planned and monitored the design budget.
  • Provided scale drawings or models for studio or theater sets, assisted with construction, and monitored progress.
  • Produced design ideas for costumes, wigs, props, special effects, makeup, and graphics.
  • Identified and assessed potential studios and locations.
  • Sourced appropriate materials and research on effects.
  • Presented ideas to actors, camera operators, and others involved in the production.
  • Researched, estimated, and prepared a property list.
  • Hired and managed an art department team or teams, depending on the size.
  • Instructed set construction companies, scenic artists, and special effects specialists, monitoring their work.
  • Liaised with the costume designer, director of photography, and professionals responsible for props, lighting, and sound.
  • Attended progress meetings, rehearsals, and filming to provide advice on visual presentation.
  • Checked sets and locations during filming to ensure requirements were met and addressed any queries that arose.

Exhibition Designer

Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development
Tirana, Albania
07.2017 - 10.2017
  • Reviewed drawings, mock-ups, and mood boards, verifying element alignment with creative vision.
  • Briefed decorating teams on project requirements.
  • Adapted client ideas into functional designs for fashionable living spaces.
  • Designed floor plans, elevations, 3D perspective views, and material boards for review and presentation, maintaining client input throughout.
  • Assessed projects against budgets, adapting plans to meet cost limitations.
  • Recommended furniture, art, and accessories to elevate interior/exterior design schemes.
  • Developed key client relationships by providing design solutions meeting needs and budgets without compromising quality or design intent.
  • Created professional presentations using 2D & 3D software, creatively communicating design intent and direction to clients.
  • Maintained excellent project progress through strategic coordination of renovation teams.
  • Selected furniture and accessories for different interior/exterior spaces and desired forms or functions.
  • Monitored evolving design trends to offer innovative solutions.
  • Produced and communicated detailed design plans using 3D software.
  • Selected furniture and accessories for different interior spaces and desired forms or functions.

Exhibition Designer

CCIT Albania
Tirana, Albania
04.2014 - 06.2016
  • Reviewed drawings, mock-ups, and mood boards, verifying element alignment with creative vision.
  • Maintained excellent project progress through strategic coordination of renovation teams.
  • Produced and communicated detailed design plans using 3D software.
  • Selected furniture and accessories for different interior spaces and desired forms or functions.
  • Identified and assessed potential locations.
  • Checked locations during the event to ensure requirements were met and addressed any queries.


Booth Designer

Top-Channel TV
Tirana, Albania
04.2016 - 05.2016
  • Overcame challenges of working with different tools, materials, and teams using perseverance and a solution-focused attitude.
  • Executed high-quality designs using allocated resources and budget.
  • Selected appropriate tools and techniques to produce the desired aesthetic effects.
  • Collaborated with cross-functional design teams to produce exquisite visual results.
  • Transformed stakeholder briefs into innovative designs fit for purpose.
  • Provided creativity, attention to detail, and out-of-the-box thinking when working to tight deadlines.
  • Attended client meetings to provide progress updates and collate feedback.

Set Designer Assistant & Set Production Assistant

Top-Channel TV
Tirana, Albania
07.2010 - 09.2014

TV shows such as "Big Brother Albania" & "The Voice of Albania"

  • Considering the production brief, which may be written or given orally
  • Meeting the producer and director to discuss concepts and production requirements
  • Providing scale drawings or models for studio or theatre sets
  • Producing design ideas for costumes, wigs, props, special effects, and graphics
  • Instructing the set construction company, and special effects specialists and monitoring their work
  • Checking locations during the event to make sure requirements are met and to deal with any queries
  • Assisted set production and TV production during live events

Creative Production Team Assistant

National Lottery ALB
Tirana, Albania
06.2013 - 06.2013
  • Assisted production during the event
  • Established maintenance plans and oversaw repair work to maintain productivity.
  • Provided support throughout the event to ensure a smooth production process and live event.

Props Creator

Digitalb
Tirana, Albania
09.2011 - 11.2011


  • Designed and fabricated various props to enhance the visual aspects of the show production.

Puppet Maker

Millenium Studio
Tirana, Albania
11.2009 - 11.2010
  • Established character designs for puppets.
  • Built puppets.
  • Designed and constructed sets for various shoots.
  • Executed set-building tasks.
  • Animated puppets during shooting particular scenes.

Education

Master of Arts - Scenography and Costume Design

University of Arts
Tirana
10.2005 - 07.2009

Master of Business Administration - MBA

Mediterranean University of Albania
Tirana
10.2017 - 06.2019

Skills

  • Interior and exterior displays
  • Microsoft Office
  • SketchUp
  • Blender
  • Adobe Photoshop
  • Adobe Substance Painter
  • Adobe Illustrator
  • Unreal Engine
  • Illustration
  • Visual communication expertise
  • 2D design
  • 3D design
  • Texture painting
  • Problem-solving
  • Painting
  • Drawing
  • Teamwork skills
  • Research skills
  • Set construction
  • Knowledge of [Software]
  • Team building

Affiliations

Member of jury of Graphic Design for 5 years of the competition “Albanian Skills”, a skills competition for young generation. The winners have the opportunity to represent Albania in the “World Skills” competition.

Interests

Theatre, visual arts, digital arts, travelling, technology, electronic, gaming, mountain climbing, paragliding, playing chess, yoga, ping-pong, music.

Languages

English
Fluent
Italian
Upper intermediate
Albanian
Native

Certification

Qualifications IN THE UK

  • Creative Skills Academy Award Certificate 2023
  • Event Planning & Management
  • Professional Interior Design & Home Decorating
  • 3D Blender: Learn Blender the Right Way
  • Blender - Learn 3D modeling and Texturing
  • Substance Painter to Unreal Engine 5 Masterclass
  • Leadership & Management (Short Course)
  • Photoshop cc Advanced Training Level 5
  • Graphic Design Level 5
  • Creative Thinking (Short Course)
  • Project Management (Short Course)
  • Functional Skills English


Qualifications IN ALB

  • Project Financial Management
  • Strategic Management

Additional Information

Volunteer: Member of the jury of Graphic Design for 5 years of the competition “Albanian Skills”, a skills competition for the young generation. The winners have the opportunity to represent Albania in the “World Skills” competition.


Interests: Theatre, visual arts, digital arts, traveling, technology, electronics, gaming, hiking, paragliding, playing chess, ping-pong, and music.

Work availability

Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
Saturday
Sunday
morning
afternoon
evening
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Quote

Success is often achieved by those who don’t know that failure is inevitable.
Coco Chanel

Timeline

Master of Business Administration - MBA

Mediterranean University of Albania
10.2017 - 06.2019

Exhibition Designer

Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development
07.2017 - 10.2017

Booth Designer

Top-Channel TV
04.2016 - 05.2016

Exhibition Designer

CCIT Albania
04.2014 - 06.2016

Set Designer & Set Production Assistant

Top-Channel TV
10.2013 - 11.2017

Creative Production Team Assistant

National Lottery ALB
06.2013 - 06.2013

Props Creator

Digitalb
09.2011 - 11.2011

Set Designer Assistant & Set Production Assistant

Top-Channel TV
07.2010 - 09.2014

Puppet Maker

Millenium Studio
11.2009 - 11.2010

Master of Arts - Scenography and Costume Design

University of Arts
10.2005 - 07.2009
Herald Xhafa