Production design is a fascinating and vital component of filmmaking. It involves a deep understanding of aesthetics, set design, and storytelling, merging them into a visual representation that enhances the audience's experience. In this guide, we provide you with a comprehensive overview of production design, from its impact on storytelling to the fundamental skills required to become a production designer.
Contents
- What is production design?
- The importance of production design in film and TV
- Setting the scene and mood
- Character development through design
- Production design and technology
- The role of a production designer
- Key responsibilities of a production designer
- Skills required for a successful production designer
- Steps to becoming a production designer
- Educational background and training
- Gaining experience in the field
- Exploring the production design process
- Pre-production stage: Concept and design
- Production stage: Building and implementation
- Post-production stage: Final touches and adjustments
What is production design?
Production design is the process of creating the overall visual look and feel of a film, television show, or theatrical production. It involves designing and coordinating all sets, film locations, props, costumes, and overall aesthetics to support the story, mood, and themes of a production.
The production designer is responsible for leading this creative process, working closely with the director, cinematographer, and costume designers to ensure a cohesive visual style.
Dennis Gasser is a great example, he created the visually stunning continuation of Ridley Scott's Blade Runner 2049, blending brutalist architecture, neon-lit dystopian cityscapes, and barren wastelands to create a haunting future world. The use of colour and lighting enhances the film's themes of isolation and technological decay.
He was also the production designer on 1917, where the film’s unique one-shot style required meticulously planned sets that allowed for seamless, long takes while maintaining the authenticity of World War I environments. The trenches were built to scale and extended over a mile long using mud, barbed wire, and sandbags - with incredible attention to period-accurate details.
The importance of production design in film and TV
At its core, production design is about storytelling. Upon entering the world, the audience should feel an immediate connection, whether the scene evokes feelings of nostalgia, excitement or tension. Through thoughtful design, characters and narrative arcs come alive, creating a deeper engagement and understanding.
Production design also plays a pivotal role in the practical aspects of filming. The designer must consider the logistics of how sets will be constructed, how they will function during scenes, and how they can be efficiently transformed between scenes. This takes a keen understanding of materials, spatial dynamics, and even safety regulations to ensure that the visual elements not only look good but are also feasible for the cast and crew to work in.
Setting the scene and mood
The scene's setting is crucial to establishing mood and atmosphere. Different styles, colours, and layouts evoke distinct emotions. For example, using a cluttered room may create feelings of chaos, while minimalist designs can evoke peace or isolation. The production designer crafts these environments to match the emotional beats of the story, guiding the audience's psychological journey.
The atmosphere created by production design can also suggest subtext. A dark, foreboding setting implies imminent danger or conflict, while bright, warm colours suggest comfort and safety. Each design choice becomes a narrative tool, enhancing the audiences' emotional responses.
The production design of Mad Max: Fury Road (2015), led by Colin Gibson, is a masterclass in world-building. He successfully blended practical effects, industrial aesthetics, and a post-apocalyptic visual style to create a gritty, immersive experience. The colour palette of the harsh, sunlit Namibian desert contrasts with deep, high-contrast shadows, intensifying the film’s raw energy. Over 150 vehicles were custom-built for the high-speed chase sequences, each uniquely designed to reflect the characters.
Character development through design
Production design also plays a pivotal role in character development. The surroundings in which characters exist reveal alot about their personalities, backgrounds, and motivations. A clearly designed space can reflect a character's mental state, allowing them to communicate their inner world visually.
Symbolic objects and colour schemes associated with specific characters can reinforce their journeys throughout the story. For instance, a character surrounded by vibrant colours may represent joy and optimism, while another cloaked in shadows may indicate conflict or secrecy. Through these choices, production design enriches characterisation, adding layers to both the visual storytelling and emotional resonance.
In Parasite (2019), the production design (led by Lee Ha-jun) plays a crucial role in character development, visually reinforcing the film’s themes of class divide and social mobility. The film contrasts two primary settings—the wealthy Park family’s modernist mansion and the struggling Kim family’s cramped semi-basement home—each reflecting the characters’ status, aspirations, and limitations.
Production design and technology
Production design is an ever-evolving field, influenced by advancements in technology and shifts in audience expectations. With the rise of virtual reality and AI in film , production designers are now tasked with integrating traditional craftsmanship with cutting-edge technology, creating hybrid environments that push the boundaries of storytelling.
This interaction between the tangible and the digital opens up new avenues for creative expression, making the role of a production designer more exciting and challenging than ever before.
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The role of a production designer
Beyond artistic intuition, the role requires a balanced combination of creativity, collaboration, and practical skills. Production designers are integral to the pre-production phase and guide projects through to completion, ensuring the visual language remains cohesive. Their influence can be seen in every frame of a film.
Key responsibilities of a production designer
A production designer is responsible for establishing a film’s overall visual concept and managing logistics like scheduling, budgeting, and staffing. While often confused with art directors, production designers focus on the creative vision, while art directors oversee its execution with teams of concept artists, set designers, and other specialists.
Skills required for a successful production designer
To thrive in production design, aspiring designers should cultivate a diverse skill set. Creativity and artistic vision are obviously key, but so are practical knowledge in architecture, interior design, or theatre in creating functional and aesthetically pleasing spaces. Understanding the historical context of design can also enhance a production designer's ability to create authentic period films.
Their work begins with script analysis to identify key themes and settings, followed by sketches and models to communicate their vision. They oversee set construction, decoration, props, and locations while collaborating with directors, lighting designers, and costume designers to ensure a cohesive aesthetic. Balancing creativity with budget and time constraints, production designers must be resourceful and adaptable to bring a project’s visual identity to life.
Collaboration is also key; production designers must effectively communicate their ideas while being receptive to feedback from other team members. Project management skills help in overseeing budgets and resources, ensuring that the vision complements the available means.
Finally, staying current with design trends and technologies is essential, as the industry is constantly evolving. Familiarity with digital design tools and software can significantly streamline the design process, allowing for rapid prototyping and adjustments.
An awareness of sustainable practices in design is becoming increasingly important, as many productions seek to minimise their environmental impact while still delivering high-quality visual storytelling.
Steps to becoming a production designer
Educational background and training
Many production designers begin their journey by gaining formal education in areas such as theatre design, architecture, or fine arts. These academic paths offer invaluable opportunities to learn about design principles and historical contexts that inform modern production. Many institutions also provide workshops and courses in set design, prop making, and visual storytelling, offering practical experience alongside theoretical knowledge. For more details, check out our list of the best film schools in London.
Participating in student film productions or community theatre are a great way to enhance your skills while building a network of professional contacts. Internships with established designers or production companies provide a valuable behind-the-scenes look into the industry and expose aspiring designers to a range of styles of working.
Gaining experience in the field
Experience is a crucial component of a successful career in production design. Involvement in a range of projects, whether big or small, will help build a strong portfolio that showcases versatility and creativity. Aspiring designers should seek opportunities in different formats—film, television, theatre, and events—each of which provides distinct challenges and learning experiences.
Networking within the industry is also vital. Engaging with professionals through design competitions, film festivals, and industry seminars can create connections that may lead to future collaborations. Joining professional organisations like the British Film Designers Guild and participating in film groups can further enhance your skills while offering platforms to share work with fellow creators.
Exploring the production design process
Pre-production stage: Concept and design
The pre-production stage is where production design takes root. The designer will move from brainstorming to concept sketching until they have a vision they can clearly articulate. Collaboration with directors and cinematographers at this stage is vital, as their input shapes the design choices.
Research is an important part of the process, as designers draw inspiration from various sources—historical references, art movements, and specific cultural elements—to ground their designs in authenticity. The designer will also create mood boards and colour palettes to establish a consistent visual theme.
British production designer Guy Hendrix Dyas played a crucial role in visualising the many complex dream worlds for Inception (2010) while maintaining a balance between reality and illusion. Each dream level had to be designed with a distinct aesthetic reflecting each character’s subconscious and the mission’s stakes.
Production stage: Building and implementation
During the production stage, ideas transform into reality. This is where the building and art departments come together to construct sets and implement design elements. The production designer oversees the progress, ensuring that each piece aligns with the creative vision established earlier.
Attention to detail is paramount during this phase, as small elements can dramatically impact the final visual presentation. From selecting props that enhance character development to creating realistic backdrops, the production designer plays a crucial role in realising the intended aesthetic. Collaboration with other departments, such as lighting and sound, is essential to integrate all visual aspects harmoniously.
On Barbie (2023), production designer Sarah Greenwood embraced a hyper-stylised, toy-like aesthetic, inviting the nostalgic elements from classic Barbie products. This required oversized props like hairbrushes, giant furniture, and toy-like convertibles to replicate Barbie accessories. The Dreamhouse set was directly inspired by classic Barbie Dreamhouse designs, with an open floor plan, spiral slides, and no doors for easy doll movement.
Post-production stage: Final touches and adjustments
The post-production stage involves final adjustments that refine the overall look, ensuring the design seamlessly fits the entire production. This may include colour correction in film or adjusting lighting to enhance mood. The production designer works closely with the editor and visual effects teams to ensure that everything appears as envisioned.
It is here that the impact of production design truly comes to life. An effective design does not merely add to the visuals; it enhances the story by evoking emotions and establishing connections between viewers and characters.
That's a wrap
Production design is a complex and engaging role, mixing visuals, storytelling, and emotional engagement. As you embark on your journey into this field, remember the critical role you will play in crafting narratives that resonate with audiences, creating worlds that inspire, inform, and entertain.
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