Art Directors
Art directors who harness Iceland's otherworldly volcanic landscapes, glacier plains, and midnight sun for shoots that demand the extraordinary.
Here is how this works in practice. An art director shapes the complete look of a film or television production, translating a director's vision into tangible environments. Iceland delivers some of the most dramatic natural production design on Earth — black sand beaches at Reynisfjara, the ice-blue lagoons of Jökulsárlón, the moss-covered lava fields of Þingvellir, steaming geothermal vents, and vast glacier caps that have stood in for alien planets, fantasy kingdoms, and prehistoric worlds.
Here is the short of it. We connect you with Icelandic art directors who know how to work with — and boost — the island's extraordinary natural backdrops. While Iceland's studio infrastructure is more tight than mainland Europe, the country's varied landscapes within short distances more than compensate. With the Film in Iceland cost reimbursement programme offering up to 25% and 24-hour summer daylight extending shooting schedules, our network helps you access the visual talent needed for one of cinema's most iconic filming destinations.
ACT 01
Capabilities
Complete Art Direction Services
From initial concept through final wrap, our art directors deliver the visual excellence your production demands.
01
Visual Design
- Overall visual concept
- Color palette development
- Style guide creation
- Period authenticity
- Mood board development
Creative Vision
02
Set Design
- Set design supervision
- Construction oversight
- Prop coordination
- Set dressing direction
- Location adaptation
Physical Spaces
03
Team Leadership
- Art department management
- Designer coordination
- Vendor relationships
- Budget oversight
- Schedule adherence
Department Head
04
Pre-Production
- Script breakdown
- Research & reference
- Concept presentations
- Technical drawings
- Budget planning
Preparation
ACT 02
Why Us
Why Choose Our Art Directors
01.
Volcanic & Glacial Visual Mastery
Here is what we have to work with. Our art directors know Iceland's unique visual language — black lava fields, ice caves, geothermal steam, basalt column formations, and the stark beauty of the highlands. They know how to integrate constructed elements with these raw natural backdrops for seamless, otherworldly production design.
02.
International Credits
Here is the layout. Art directors with experience on major shoots that chose Iceland for its visual power — including Game of Thrones, Interstellar, Prometheus, and The Secret Life of Walter Mitty. They know the workflows of studios and streaming sites seeking Iceland's one-of-a-kind environments.
03.
Local Resources
Here is how the work shapes up. Set up relationships with Icelandic construction teams, the Reykjavik Film Office, and Saga Studios. Access to specialized highland logistics providers, site-level compliance pros, and the small but highly skilled Icelandic crew community that supports global shoots.
04.
Creative Problem Solving
Here is how it adds up. Innovative solutions for Iceland's unique challenges — fast changing weather, fragile landscapes needing site-level protection, remote highland access, and tight local supply chains. Our art directors deliver stunning visual results while respecting Iceland's delicate ecosystems and working within the 25% cost reimbursement.
On Location
Iceland's art directors translate the rift valley of Þingvellir, the basalt of Reynisfjara and the ice-blue plains of Jökulsárlón into coherent worlds for productions like 'Interstellar' and 'Game of Thrones'.
Here is how this works in practice. We place art directors from a small, exceptionally seasoned Reykjavík talent pool — designers who have run the visual execution on features and series that came to Iceland for landscapes no set can replicate. Our art directors brief in fluent English and integrate at once with global heads of department, drawing on direct relationships with RVK Studios in Gufunes, local construction firms and prop houses.
Here is the short of it. Because the country's standing-set infrastructure is deliberately modest, the role here is heavily location-based: adapting Vatnajökull, Mývatn lava fields and the black-sand coast rather than building from scratch. For large fantasy or science-fiction builds we supplement the core department with art directors and draughtspeople from the UK and mainland Europe, all set up under one Icelandic-led structure. We help shoots schedule department prep around the 25% production cost reimbursement, rising to 35% for qualifying larger shoots and TV series, so design budgets are planned against real recoverable spend.
Here is the breakdown. Iceland gives an art director a palette unlike anywhere in Europe — a subarctic island on the Mid-Atlantic Ridge where moss-covered lava, glacier tongues and geothermal steam read as alien, prehistoric or fantastical on camera. The medieval Sagas of Icelanders and Norse settlement from around 874 AD inform real period dressing, with surviving turf-house traditions and a culture that still reads Old Norse.
Here is what that looks like on the ground. Art direction here works inside genuine constraints: filming in the UNESCO-listed Vatnajökull National Park and other covered areas is set up with the Environment Agency of the country, and 'leave no trace' practice governs each constructed element. The fast-changing maritime weather and the long Midnight Sun days of June shape what can be dressed and held on a location. An art director who knows these conditions delivers the otherworldly look shoots travel to the country for, while protecting the fragile environments that make that look possible.
ACT 03
FAQ
Art Direction Expertise
What does an art director do on a film production?
Here is the breakdown. The art director translates the production designer's vision into reality, overseeing the construction and dressing of sets, setting up the art department team, and making sure visual consistency across all designed elements. They manage the day-to-day execution of the production design.
Do you provide production designers as well?
Yes, we can give both production designers (who set up the overall visual concept) and art directors (who execute that vision). For smaller shoots, one person may fulfill both roles. We'll recommend the right structure for your project's scale.
Can your art directors work on period productions?
Here is what that looks like on the ground. Our art directors have experience with Viking-era and medieval Norse settings, drawing on Iceland's saga heritage and existing turf-house reconstructions. For other periods, they excel at using Iceland's timeless landscapes as backdrops for fantasy, science fiction, and prehistoric narratives.
How do art directors work with location shoots?
Here is how the picture comes together. Art directors adapt real locations to match your production's visual needs — adding or removing elements while protecting fragile environments. Iceland's extraordinary variety — glaciers, volcanoes, geothermal areas, black beaches, and moss fields — means vastly different worlds can be found within a few hours' drive of Reykjavik.
What's the typical prep time needed?
Prep time differs by project complexity. Features mostly need 6-12 weeks of art department prep, while commercials may need 2-4 weeks. In Iceland, extra lead time is recommended for highland location permits and site-level compliance approvals.
Do your art directors speak English?
Yes, Icelanders are near-universally fluent in English. Our art directors communicate seamlessly with English-speaking directors and crew. Many also speak Danish or other Scandinavian languages — useful for Nordic co-productions.
Related Services
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ACT 04 — On Set
Need an Art Director?
Tell us about your project's visual needs and we'll connect you with the right creative talent.