Only with the mastery of production design can AFI Fellows create believable and imaginative worlds onscreen. The curriculum challenges them to visually and physically construct an environment that becomes the essential foundation of the narrative storytelling process. Fellows collaborate on at least three narrative projects in the first year and design an entire thesis production, while completing an original portfolio in the second year.
The AFI Conservatory, which counts Todd Cherniawsky (OBI-WAN KENOBI, STAR TREK: PICARD), Theresa Guleserian (HAPPIEST SEASON, THE ONE I LOVE), Aashrita Kamath (PACIFIC RIM: UPRISING, AVATAR 2 & 3), Yong Ok Lee (MINARI, THE FAREWELL), Javiera Varas (WILD, DALLAS BUYERS CLUB) and more as Production Design Alumni, is ranked the #1 film school in America.
The Production Design program maintains close ties to the Entertainment Industry
One third of AFI graduates are members of the Art Directors Guild. Many others work in related Design fields of Set Decoration, VFX, Theme Parks and more.
Alumni Production Designers Include:
Todd Cherniawsky
- THE LAST JEDI
- STAR TREK: PICARD
Douglas Mowat
- INCEPTION
- GONE GIRL
Sharon Seymour
- ARGO
- JUST MERCY
Javiera Varas
- DALLAS BUYERS CLUB
- NO APOLOGIES
Ray Yamagata
- HOUSE OF LIES
- RAY DONOVAN
Carey Meyer
- SCORPION
- CSI: MIAMI
Daniel Frank
- BLACK PANTHER
- GUARDIAN OF THE GALAXY, VOL 2
Kil Won Yu
- FIRST MAN
- THE HATEFUL EIGHT
Jennifer Bash
- THE BFG
- AVENGER’S ENDGAME
Aashrita Kamath
- PACIFIC RIM: UPRISING
- AVATAR 2 & 3
Erin Magill
- BRITTANY RUNS A MARATHON
- STRAIGHT OUTTA COMPTON
Franco-Giacomo Carbone
- ROCKY BALBOA
Kitty Doris-Bates
- THE SHIELD
Joe Garrity
- CAKE
- MY GIRL
Theresa Avram Guleserian
- TOGETHERNESS
- THE ONE I LOVE
Annie Spitz
- THE NIGHT BEFORE
- 50/50
Haisu Wang
- AVATAR 2, 3, 4
- AVENGERS: ENDGAME, INFINITY WAR
Benji K. Cox
- THE IRISHMAN
- SILENCE
Andres Cubillan
- MINDHUNTER
- THE ALIENIST
Carol Strober
- THIRTEEN
“AFI has truly been one of the most fascinating and growth-inspiring experiences of my life so far. AFI is a place where you can experiment creatively, learn from your failures and mistakes and find your voice as an artist. You truly grow as a filmmaker in ways you aren’t able to elsewhere.”
–Claudia Ethridge
AFI Production Design Class of 2018