Production Designers
Visionary production designers creating immersive worlds inspired by Saudi Arabia's Nabataean heritage sites, traditional desert forts, and ambitious futuristic developments.
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 Saudi Arabia, this role spans a remarkable visual range — from the ancient Nabataean tombs of Hegra in AlUla and the Diriyah At-Turaif District to Historic Jeddah's Al Balad coral-stone quarter, the Al-Ahsa Oasis, and the futuristic NEOM and KAFD developments. Our designers know how to translate these distinctive Saudi settings into compelling screen worlds.
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 NEOM Studios, Jax Film Studios in Riyadh, and PlayMaker Studios in Qiddiya — totalling over 100,000m² of stage space — our network makes sure your production's visual world is built with newest resources, leveraging Saudi Arabia's 40% cash rebates.
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.
Saudi Location Expertise
Here is how the work shapes up. Deep knowledge of Saudi Arabia's architectural heritage from Hegra's Nabataean tombs and Diriyah's At-Turaif District to Historic Jeddah's coral-stone buildings, the Asir highlands' painted villages, and the vast Rub' al Khali desert landscapes. Our designers know how to capture and boost Saudi locations.
02.
International Experience
Production designers with credits on major global features and prestige television. They know the expectations of studios and streamers and handle Saudi Arabia's cultural sensitivities and filming needs.
03.
Construction Resources
Set up relationships with NEOM Studios' expanding 25+ stage complex, Jax Film Studios with Sony virtual production, and PlayMaker Studios' 50-acre facility. Access to top-spec construction resources in the region's fastest-growing production infrastructure.
04.
Creative Problem Solving
Innovative ways that boost visual impact within budget constraints. Our designers find creative solutions that put each dollar on screen, leveraging Saudi Arabia's generous 40% cash rebates on qualified production spend.
On Location
Saudi production design — AlUla Nabataean, Diriyah Najdi, Jeddah Al-Balad Hejazi, NEOM contemporary
Here is how this works in practice. Our Saudi production designers concept across the kingdom's UNESCO heritage triple. Hegra / Madain Salih (UNESCO 2008) brings Nabataean rock-cut tombs in AlUla. Diriyah Al-Turaif (UNESCO 2010) brings mud-brick Najdi build style. Historic Jeddah Al-Balad (UNESCO 2014) brings Hejazi coral-stone Rawasheen window screens.
They also work with today's settings. NEOM brings futurist build style across The Line, Trojena, Sindalah (opened Oct 2024), and Oxagon. Riyadh CBD brings the Kingdom Centre Tower, Al Faisaliah, and KAFD glass-and-steel skyline. The Asir mountain highlands bring the Qatt Al-Asiri geometric mural custom.
Recent global shoots show the range. Kandahar (Gerard Butler, 2023, $43M, dir. Ric Roman Waugh) shot in AlUla and NEOM. Desert Warrior (Anthony Mackie, 2024, dir. Rupert Wyatt) shot in AlUla. Born a King (2019) shot here too. These projects sourced sets through Riyadh's JAX District (the Diriyah arts hub), NEOM Bajdah Studios' four sound stages (9,000 m², the largest in MENA, opened 2022), and Pixomondo Riyadh's LED Volume virtual production.
Here is the short of it. Saudi-resident directors like Haifaa al-Mansour, Mahmoud Sabbagh, and Ali Kalthami brief from period references. Sources have the National Museum of Saudi Arabia in Riyadh. Plus the King Abdulaziz Center for World Culture (Ithra) in Dhahran.
Construction permits route through several authorities. AlUla goes through the Royal Commission for AlUla (RCU). NEOM goes through the NEOM authority. Riyadh goes through the Royal Commission for Riyadh City (RCRC). Period sets set up with the Ministry of Culture heritage authority. The Saudi Film Commission sits over all of it. With GCAM handling type and the Saudi Civil Defense issuing permits for stunts, SFX, and pyro builds.
Here is the breakdown. Saudi National Day (Sept 23) and Founding Day (Feb 22) drive heavy heritage commercial workloads. Wardrobe planning with costume runs across regional dress libraries — Najdi, Hejazi, Tihama, Asiri, and Hasawi. Atelier links have Mohammed Ashi (Ashi Studio) and Honayda Serafi.
Schedules account for the five daily prayer pauses (Fajr, Dhuhr, Asr, Maghrib, Isha) plus Friday prayers around 12:00-13:30. Ramadan iftar-to-suhoor (9pm-2am) is the peak production window. October-April is the ideal exterior window at 15-30°C. June-September is extreme at 45-50°C.
Financial mechanics: GOSI sign-ups, 15% VAT, and the SAR pegged 3.75:1 to USD. Saudization Nitaqat quotas drive a 5% rebates uplift on the CDF 40% cash rebates. There is zero personal income tax. There is no domestic film design union — global Art Directors Guild IATSE 800 affiliations route through Dubai EPS bureaus.
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 Saudi heritage sites?
Here is what that looks like on the ground. Our production designers have experience working with Saudi Arabia's covered heritage sites. This includes Hegra in AlUla (set up through the Royal Commission for AlUla), Diriyah At-Turaif District, and Historic Jeddah. They know the multi-agency approval process including GCAM final sign-off.
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 NEOM Studios, Jax Film Studios, or PlayMaker Studios with practical locations across Saudi Arabia. They design sets that integrate seamlessly with desert, mountain, and Red Sea coast sets.
What about traditional Arabian or period productions?
Here is what we have to work with. Our production designers know traditional Arabian build style, from Nabataean rock-cut tombs to Najdi mud-brick forts, Hejazi coral-stone houses, and Asir painted villages. They work with local cultural advisors and have access to reference materials covering Saudi Arabia's rich architectural heritage.
Do you provide the full art department?
Here is the layout. Yes, we can staff full art departments scaled to your production. This has art directors, set decorators, prop masters, construction coordinators, and all supporting roles, drawing from the growing Saudi crew base supplemented by global talent.
How do production designers work with other departments?
Production designers work with 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.