Jiarui Bai | Affiliated Faculty

Jiarui Bai holds a bachelor’s degree in Digital Media from Northeastern University (China) and an MFA from San Diego State University in Film and TV Production.

She is a set designer with experience working in productions such as STAR TREK: PICARD (Paramount), HACKS (Max), THE BROTHERS SUN (Netflix) and THE SYMPATHIZER (Max).

In the academic field she has worked as a Vectorworks and SketchUp instructor for AFI, USC and SDSU.

Franco Carbone | Senior Affiliated Faculty

Franco Carbone has designed over 40 feature films covering almost every genre, from comedy to science fiction, sometimes both at once, as in his most recent feature film for Netflix, THEY CLONED TYRONE, starring Jamie Foxx, which has been widely praised for its bold and audacious style. He met the writer-director Juel Taylor when they both worked on CREED II for MGM. Carbone also had the honor of working with legendary film director and Academy Award^® winner William Friedkin for whom he designed the intense psychodramas BUG and the noirish Black Comedy KILLER JOE Both films have been rediscovered as modern masterpieces by many notable film critics. Carbone’s other famous films are his collaborations with Academy Award^® winner Sylvester Stallone for whom he designed four feature films ROCKY BALBOA, RAMBO, THE EXPENDABLES and RAMBO: LAST BLOOD. Another celebrated collaboration is with director Eli Roth for whom Carbone designed the feature films HOSTEL and CABIN FEVER and the TV show AMC’s HISTORY OF HORROR, Season 1. Additionally, Carbone received praiseworthy reviews on the all-star cast cult crime drama WONDERLAND, THE BILLIONAIRE BOYS CLUB directed by James Cox, and the box office hit THE CALL starring Halle Berry, directed by Brad Anderson.

He is represented by Gil Harari at APA.

Scott Chambliss | Affiliated Faculty

Timothy Croshaw | Affiliated Faculty

Tim Croshaw is a veteran Set Designer whose work has brought to life some of Hollywood’s most visually captivating productions. With a portfolio that spans critically acclaimed films and television series, Tim has contributed to projects like GONE GIRL (2014), GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY VOL. 3 (2023), and THE TRAGEDY OF MACBETH (2021). His recent endeavors include the highly anticipated SUPERMAN: (2025). Known for his creative versatility, Tim has seamlessly navigated genres ranging from psychological thrillers to science fiction epics and modern reinterpretations of literary classics, always ensuring that each set captures the story’s essence and enhances the audience’s experience.

A forward-thinking professional, Tim stays at the forefront of technological advancements in set design. By leveraging cutting-edge tools such as 3D modeling software, real-time rendering engines, and advanced fabrication techniques, he brings innovative solutions to complex design challenges. His ability to integrate traditional artistry with modern technology allows him to create immersive environments that are both visually striking and functionally precise.

Beyond his professional work, Tim is dedicated to educating the next generation of filmmakers as a mentor and instructor at the American Film Institute (AFI). Through his guidance, he inspires students to push creative boundaries, embrace new technologies, and hone their craft in production design.

Yihong Ding | Affiliated Faculty

Clasria Garcia-Fresco | Affiliated Faculty

Ellen King | Affiliated Faculty

Ernie Marjoram | Senior Affiliated Faculty

Ernie Marjoram has over 35 years of experience working as a free-lance concept artist in the entertainment industry. Early in his career, Ernie created advertising art in support of the feature films INDEPENDENCE DAY (1996), THE POSTMAN (1997), SPHERE (1998), BABE; PIG IN THE CITY (1998), ALMOST HEROES (1998), THE 13th WARRIOR (1999), SHAFT (2000), CAT IN THE HAT (2003), THE CORE (2003), CHARLIES ANGELS II (2003) PETER PAN (2003), THE MATRIX REVOLUTIONS (2003) and SHREK 2 (2004).

More recently Ernie has been involved in Location Based Entertainment and has designed themed attractions for Walt Disney Imagineering and Universal Studios as well as independent theme parks in Singapore, South Korea, China and the United Arab Emirates. He has developed concept art & storyboards for JURASSIC WORLD LIVE! (2019), HARRY POTTER: BROOMS OVER LONDON (2018) and a LORD OF THE RINGS theme park (2017).

Ernie earned a Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Design from California State Polytechnic University, Pomona, obtained a license to practice architecture in California and practiced architecture in LA for 15 years before focusing on entertainment.

He is an adjunct faculty member at the American Film Institute where he has been teaching design and drawing skills to production design Fellows since 1998. He has also taught perspective illustration and storyboarding at Dodge Film School, Chapman University for 11 years.

David Morong | Senior Affiliated Faculty

David Morong received his MFA in Scene Design from New York University. Upon graduation he came across a fledgling network called MTV on something called cable and ended up being the resident production designer, designing scores of shows over 15 years. His cable connections led to design work for VH1, HBO Comedy Channel, TNN and Fox. He has worked as an Art Director on the HBO series CARNIVALE, for which he received an Emmy^® nomination, and BIG LOVE. He has also designed and Art-Directed a number of feature films, including the recent release, KING OF CALIFORNIA. In the fall of 2006, he accepted a faculty position at San Diego State University where he currently teaches Design for Television and Film. A focus of his interest has been design software, and he currently teaches SketchUp and Vectorworks in association with go-2-school and Studio Arts.

Caroline Quinn | Affiliated Faculty

Caroline Quinn is an English Set Designer and Art Director who has worked on everything from JURASSIC PARK to BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER, CURB YOUR ENTHUSIASM & REBEL MOON. Her passion for art, design & production is so great as to enable her to live over 5,000 miles away from the nearest cup of decent tea.