Production design
Production design – The world behind the story
Whether it’s a castle, a supermarket, or a spaceship – the production design department creates the world where the story takes place. It’s not just about making spaces look good. It’s about building a believable and visually powerful sense of place, time, and atmosphere. Every detail – from wallpaper to dishes to street lamps – tells us something about the characters, the story, and the emotional setting.
Production design works closely with the director, the DoP, and costume designer to create a coherent overall look. What the audience ends up seeing has been imagined, built, decorated, and filled with meaning by this department – right down to the tiniest detail.
What does the department do?
Design the visual world of the story – Based on the script, the team develops spaces, locations, and sets that match the atmosphere and narrative.
Build sets and dress locations – Whether in the studio or on location: they construct backdrops, transform existing spaces, or create new ones from scratch.
Research and plan every detail – Especially for historical or stylized projects, research is key to finding authentic materials, colors, and styles.
Decorate with storytelling in mind – Props, furniture, wall colors – everything is chosen with purpose, helping to tell the story of the world and its characters.
Collaborate closely across departments – Colors, textures, and materials have to work together and function well on camera.
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