When designing a set one needs to make sure that the stage design will suit the needs of the text. This can be difficult at times as a scenographer will want to create something decorative but one must remember that the stage design needs to accommodate the action on stage. Here are some ways to go about creating a concept for stage design.
Start reading the scene. While reading make note of anything that strikes you as important. Do not make any drawing at this point, instead focus on action. Make note of entrances and exits, if there are any moments that need to be seen. Make note of lines like “He watches from the doorway” which may indicate need for a doorway or a place for the character to stand that can be seen. As you read look for clues as to what might need to happen with regard to space; crossing the room, sitting apart from others, being hidden, hiding a knife, being able to see who enters the room, etc.
Next, make some notes condensing the most important points: (location: kitchen; action: she confronts him; entrances: he comes in from the right; props: knife, table setting; atmosphere: loneliness). Make sure that you identify the most important action, location and a possible one-word description of atmosphere.
Look carefully at the one-word atmosphere and describe what this word would mean in terms of space, for example, a tension could be the sense of space closing in on someone (compressed space), or perhaps it is a tense moment because there is no way to escape (constricted movement), or maybe that moment in the story will be presented with the two characters facing each other (silhouettes). Loneliness might suggest the space the character feels alone in (expansive negative space around the actor). Test your concept of atmosphere and see if it can be related to depth, texture, balance and proportion.
Now take out your pencil and make your first rough sketch. Don’t worry about making it the most beautiful thing in the world (your concept is unlikely to be developed from this first drawing). Avoid making one detailed perspective drawing as you will soon be attached to certain elements and might not want to change them. Instead try making several quick thumbnails with some slight changes.
Will the focus be at one side of your design or centered? Will it be low or high? Make several drawings quickly sketching in your ideas. Draw in a human figure (stick figures are fine) where the action will take place. This will help identify scale issues before your design gets more refined. You should be able to determine if one platform is too big, if entrances are too cramped and so on. Think about sight lines, will you be able to see from the audience perspective if a performer is sitting down? Will entrances be visible? You may find that you need to make a very basic cardboard maquette to see if you need to make changes. You might find it helpful to draw an arrow through the design indicating the main line of action, this will help clarify any confusion about where the action will take place.
Now review your sketches. Can you justify each element of your design by connecting it with something in your notes? If you can, this means that it fulfills some type of spatial or acting need, it allows something important to be seen, or contributes to the atmosphere. If there are some parts of your design that do not have function or meaning, then edit your design. Remove or rework the elements that do not fit into the scheme and simplify your design.