Production Designers
Visionary production designers creating immersive worlds shaped by Iceland's glaciers, volcanoes, and otherworldly geothermal landscapes.
Here is how this works in practice. The production designer is the head of the art department, responsible for creating the entire visual environment of a film or television production. In Iceland, this role is uniquely defined by the country's extraordinary natural build style — from Þingvellir National Park's tectonic rifts and Vatnajökull's vast glaciers to Reynisfjara's black sand beaches and the Snæfellsnes Peninsula's dramatic coastline. Our designers know how to harness Iceland's raw landscapes as integral design elements for your production.
Here is the short of it. We connect you with production designers who bring deep local knowledge and global-level craft to each project. With access to Saga Studios in Reykjavik and Iceland's proven location infrastructure used by Game of Thrones, Interstellar, and Prometheus, our network makes sure your production's visual world is built with the right resources, leveraging Iceland's 25% cost reimbursement.
ACT 01
Capabilities
Complete Production Design Services
From initial concept through final wrap, our production designers build the visual worlds that bring your stories to life.
01
Visual Concept
- World-building design
- Visual language creation
- Color & texture palette
- Period research
- Style guide development
Creative Vision
02
Set Design
- Set construction plans
- Technical drawings
- Model making
- Stage layouts
- Location adaptation
Physical Design
03
Department Leadership
- Art director supervision
- Set decorator coordination
- Props department
- Construction management
- Scenic artists
Team Management
04
Budget & Schedule
- Art department budgeting
- Resource allocation
- Schedule coordination
- Vendor management
- Cost tracking
Production Control
ACT 02
Why Us
Why Choose Our Production Designers
01.
Icelandic Location Expertise
Here is how the work shapes up. Deep knowledge of Iceland's dramatic landscapes from Þingvellir's tectonic rifts and Vatnajökull's glaciers to Reynisfjara's black sand beaches, the Westfjords' cliffs, and Landmannalaugar's colourful rhyolite mountains. Our designers know how to harness these landscapes as design elements.
02.
International Experience
Production designers with credits on major global features including Game of Thrones, Interstellar, and Prometheus. They know the expectations of studios and streamers seeking Iceland's unique visual character.
03.
Construction Resources
Set up relationships with Iceland's construction firms and Saga Studios. Expertise in building structures that withstand extreme weather conditions and integrating practical sets into volcanic, glacial, and coast sets.
04.
Creative Problem Solving
Innovative ways that boost visual impact within budget constraints. Our designers find creative solutions that leverage Iceland's natural environments as production design elements, supported by the 25% cost reimbursement programme.
On Location
Production designers in Iceland set the visual concept for productions whose worlds are built largely from the land itself — the rift valley of Þingvellir, Vatnajökull and the volcanic Highlands rather than standing sets.
Here is how this works in practice. We place production designers from Iceland's small, deeply skilled Reykjavík-centred art community — designers who have led the visual concept on features and series that came to the country for environments no studio can replicate. Our production designers run script breakdown, concept development and the full art department, working fluently in English with directors and global heads of department, and keeping 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 modest, the discipline here is overwhelmingly location-led: integrating built elements into glacier, lava and coastal settings rather than constructing whole worlds. For large fantasy or science-fiction shoots we scale the department with art directors, set decorators and draughtspeople from the UK and mainland Europe under an Iceland-based lead. We also help shoots plan art-department prep around the 25% production cost reimbursement, rising to 35% for qualifying larger shoots and TV series, so design budgets are set against recoverable Icelandic spend.
Here is the breakdown. Iceland gives a production designer a foundation unlike anywhere in Europe — a subarctic island on the Mid-Atlantic Ridge whose moss-covered lava, glacier tongues, black beaches and geothermal steam have stood in for alien planets, fantasy kingdoms and prehistoric worlds in 'Interstellar', 'Rogue One', 'Game of Thrones' and 'Prometheus'. Norse settlement from around 874 AD and the medieval Sagas of Icelanders inform real Viking-era and period design, supported by surviving turf-house traditions.
Here is what that looks like on the ground. The role works inside real constraints: filming in the UNESCO-listed Vatnajökull National Park and Þingvellir National Park is set up with the Environment Agency of the country under strict 'leave no trace' practice, the fast-changing maritime weather and seasonal light shape what can be built and held, and Highland access is summer-only via F-roads. A production designer who reads these conditions turns the country's raw environment into a coherent, deliverable visual world.
ACT 03
FAQ
Production Design Expertise
What's the difference between a production designer and art director?
Here is the breakdown. The production designer is the head of the art department, responsible for the overall visual concept and working directly with the director. The art director reports to the production designer and oversees the execution of that vision — managing construction, setting up the team, and handling day-to-day operations.
How do production designers work with Iceland's protected natural sites?
Here is what that looks like on the ground. Our production designers have extensive experience working within Iceland's covered areas, including Þingvellir National Park, Vatnajökull National Park, and Surtsey. They know Environment Agency permit needs and strict stay-on-path protocols, making sure production designs respect fragile landscapes.
Can you handle both studio builds and locations?
Here is how the picture comes together. Yes, our production designers excel at combining studio construction at Saga Studios with Iceland's extraordinary natural locations. Most shoots in Iceland are location-driven. Our designers specialize in integrating built elements into volcanic, glacial, and coastal settings.
What about extreme weather and seasonal considerations?
Here is what we have to work with. Our production designers know Iceland's challenging conditions and plan to match. They factor in 24-hour summer daylight, tight winter light, extreme winds, and fast changing weather into their design and construction schedules, using materials and methods suited to Arctic conditions.
Do you provide the full art department?
Here is the layout. Yes, we can staff complete art departments scaled to your production. This has art directors, set decorators, prop masters, construction coordinators, and all supporting roles, drawing from Iceland's skilled local crew and supplementing with global talent as needed.
How do production designers work with other departments?
Production designers work closely with cinematography on lighting needs, costume on visual palette, VFX on digital extensions, and locations on practical considerations. They're the visual hub setting up all design elements.
Related Services
Related Creative Roles
ACT 04 — On Set
Need a Production Designer?
Tell us about your production's visual needs and we'll connect you with top-tier design talent.