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NOC 53123: Theatre, fashion, exhibit and other creative designers
NOC 53123 is a TEER 3 occupation. It counts as skilled work for Express Entry under FSW and CEC. It is not on any 2026 category list, so candidates compete in general and program rounds.
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Theatre, fashion, exhibit and other creative designers conceptualize and produce designs for film, television, theatre and video productions, garments and textiles, displays and exhibits, and for other creative items such as jewellery and trophies. Theatre designers are employed by performing arts and broadcasting companies and by festivals; fashion designers are employed by clothing and textile companies or may be self-employed; and exhibit designers are employed by museums. Other creative designers in this unit group are employed by manufacturing establishments or may be self-employed.
Job titles filed under this code
Official example titles
- clothing designer
- costume designer
- couturier - haute couture
- fabric designer
- fashion designer
- fur designer
- jewellery designer
- lighting designer
- museum exhibit designer
- shoe designer
- trophy designer
Also included: facilities designer; fashion coordinator; fashion stylist
Not this code
Close occupations that have their own code
- Diorama maker - museums and art galleries → 53100 Registrars, restorers, interpreters and other occupations related to museum and art galleries
- Graphic designers and illustrators → 52120
- Industrial designers → 22211
- Interior designers and interior decorators → 52121
- Patternmakers - textile, leather and fur products → 53125
- Tailors, dressmakers, furriers and milliners → 64200
Main duties
This group performs some or all of the following duties:
Theatre designers
- Design and create settings, scenic environments, properties, costumes and lighting for theatre, film and video productions, operas and ballets.
Fashion designers
- Design and create clothing and accessories for men, women and children.
Exhibit designers
- Plan and develop permanent and temporary or moveable exhibits and displays for museum exhibitions, trade shows, conventions and other exhibitions.
Theatre designers may specialize in costume, lighting or set design; fashion designers may specialize in men's, women's or children's apparel or in different lines such as sportswear, footwear or formal wear.
What this code means for Express Entry
TEER 0–3 work counts toward the Federal Skilled Worker Program.
One year of this work in Canada can qualify for the Canadian Experience Class.
Not in a Federal Skilled Trades group.
CRS points from November 3, 2026
NOC 53123 is not on IRCC's high-wage occupations list. From November 3, 2026, Canadian work in it earns only the work-length points, and a job offer in it adds no CRS points (it can still count for program eligibility).
IRCC high-wage list (list from 2023 to 2025 wage data, read 2026-10-16) · CRS calculator with the new rules
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Employment requirements
- A university degree in fine arts or visual arts with specialization in theatre design, clothing design or exhibit design or completion of a college or art school program in theatre design, clothing design or exhibit design is required.
- Creative ability, as demonstrated by a portfolio of work, is required.
- Use of computer-aided design (CAD) software may be required.
Good to know
- Designers may advance to supervisory and management positions.