Master in Production Design

Attracting artists from architecture, interior design, scenic design, theater arts and other related fields, the Production Design curriculum focuses on the creative process of visually and physically developing an environment that becomes an essential component of the storytelling process. Production Designers must possess a keen understanding of the story in order to create a believable and realistic world on screen.

First year Fellows collaborate on at least three produced narrative projects, learning to transform designs into reality on a soundstage or location, while adhering to restricted budgets. Fellows develop design skills through classes, workshops and practical set construction, focusing the first year on traditional design methods to express their ideas. Digital design tools and techniques are integral to the curriculum and are the focus of the second year.

Second year Fellows design an entire thesis production, while completing an independent design project for their portfolio. The curriculum also includes special workshops on set illustration, drafting, model building, budgeting, color theory and the latest digital design. These courses help Production Design Fellows learn to communicate their visions to their AFI production teams, as well as to future professional colleagues.

First Year Curriculum

• PRN 510: Introduction to Cycle Production – Boot Camp
• PRN 511: Cycle Production I
• PRN 512: Cycle Production II & III
• PRN 521 & 522: Narrative Workshop and Analysis
• DES 511 & 512: Production Design Workshop: Cycle Mentorship
• DES 521: The Art and Craft of Production Design: Design II
• DES 522: The Art and Craft of Production Design: Art Department Skills/Dramatic Analysis
• DES 531: Design I
• DES 532: Perspective
• DES 541: Professional Practice I
• DES 542: Professional Practice II
• CON 511 & 512: Master Seminars
• CON 521 & 522: American Approaches to Film
• Year One Portfolio Review

Second Year Curriculum

• PRN 610: Thesis Production – Production Design
• DES 611: Advanced Production Design Workshop: Set Design I
• DES 612: Advanced Production Design Workshop: Applied Set Design
• DES 621: Advanced Pre-Visualization for Production Design
• DES 622: Advanced Pre-Visualization for Production Design
• DES 631: Advanced Production Design Topics: Design III
• DES 632: Advanced Production Design Topics: Presentation Graphics
• DES 651: Digital Media Production: Digital Tools
• DES 652: Digital Media Production: Visual Effects Overview
• DES 670: Internship Practicum
• DES 690: Thesis Portfolio – Production Design
• CON 621 & 622: World Approaches to Film