Production Designers
Visionary production designers creating immersive worlds inspired by Ireland's ancient monasteries, Georgian streetscapes, and dramatic Wild Atlantic landscapes.
The production designer is the head of the art department, responsible for creating the entire visual environment of a film or television production. In Ireland, this role draws on a rich tapestry of architectural and natural heritage — from the ancient monastic ruins of Skellig Michael and Brú na Bóinne to Dublin's Georgian squares, the Rock of Cashel's medieval fortifications, and the Wild Atlantic Way's rugged coastline. Our designers understand how to translate these distinctive Irish settings into compelling screen worlds.
We connect you with production designers who bring deep local knowledge and international-level craft to every project. With access to Ardmore Studios and Ashford Studios in Wicklow, and Troy Studios in Limerick, our network ensures your production's visual world is built with the right resources, leveraging Ireland's Section 481 tax credit of up to 32%.
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.
Irish Location Expertise
Deep knowledge of Ireland's architectural heritage from Dublin's Georgian squares and medieval castles to Skellig Michael's ancient monastery, the Rock of Cashel, and the Wild Atlantic Way's dramatic coastline. Our designers know how to capture and enhance Irish locations.
02.
International Experience
Production designers with credits on major international features including Vikings, The Tudors, and Braveheart filmed in Wicklow. They understand the expectations of studios and streamers working across the European market.
03.
Construction Resources
Established relationships with Ireland's scenic construction companies and Ardmore Studios, Ashford Studios, and Troy Studios — one of Europe's largest. Access to skilled Irish craftspeople experienced in stone, period timber, and traditional construction.
04.
Creative Problem Solving
Innovative approaches that maximize visual impact within budget constraints. Our designers find creative solutions that put every euro on screen, leveraging Ireland's Section 481 tax credit of up to 32%.
On Location
Production designers in the Mark Tildesley, Mark Geraghty, and Anna Rackard lineage building Belfast 1969, Banshees Inishmore, Vikings Kattegat, and Game of Thrones Winterfell
Here is how this works in practice. Irish production design holds Oscar-tier credits. Mark Tildesley earned the 2021 Best Production Design Oscar nomination for Belfast (Kenneth Branagh's autobiographical 1969 Belfast Troubles-era feature). With extra collaborations across Lenny Abrahamson (Frank. Room, The Wonder), Danny Boyle (28 Days Later, Sunshine, The Beach), Paul Greengrass (Captain Phillips, 22 July, News of the World), Pablo Larraín (Spencer, Jackie), plus the recent J.A. Bayona Society of the Snow (2024 Oscar nom).
Here is the short of it. Mark Geraghty anchored John Carney's Once 2007 (Best First Song Oscar Falling Slowly) and Sing Street 1985-Dublin re-creation, plus the long Republic of Doyle production-design slate at Ashford Studios Wicklow. Anna Rackard delivers across the Element Pictures and Subotica feature roster. The Game of Thrones Winterfell, King's Landing, the Iron Throne, and Castle Black builds at Titanic Studios Belfast and Paint Hall (multiple Primetime Emmy wins for outstanding production design) plus the Vikings Kattegat-and-Uppsala builds at Ashford Studios Wicklow (multiple Primetime Emmy nominations) anchor the prestige-series bench.
Training routes through IADT Dún Laoghaire scenography, LSAD Limerick School of Art and Design, NCAD Dublin, the Lir Academy Trinity, plus Pulse College and Filmbase Ireland practical workshops.
Here is the breakdown. Our production-design departments deliver location-based location-builds, model-stage construction across Ardmore Studios Bray (multiple stages including the historic Studio 1). Ashford Studios Wicklow (the Vikings-built standing-set inventory). Troy Studios Limerick (the 320,000 sq ft Foundation-era Apple TV+ stage site). Titanic Studios Belfast (the Game of Thrones-built standing-sets and 16,000 sq ft Stage 6), Paint Hall Belfast, plus Linen Mill Studios Banbridge. Heritage-permit coordination via the Office of Public Works (OPW) at Trinity Long Room, Kilmainham Gaol, Christ Church Cathedral, Dublin Castle, the GPO, Newgrange, the Rock of Cashel. Glendalough. Blarney Castle.
Here is what that looks like on the ground. Plus the Wild Atlantic Way (Cliffs of Moher, Skellig Michael Star Wars-era access, Slieve League, the Ring of Kerry, Dingle, Achill Island Banshees, Inishmore, Connemara National Park). Section 481 32% tax credit plus the 40% regional uplift cover construction-and-design spend through Irish-resident hires. EUR Eurozone and GBP Northern Ireland dual-currency, English-first with Irish (Gaeilge) signage skill for Gaeltacht builds, plus full CTA-borderless cross-border UK material and crew movement.
ACT 03
FAQ
Production Design Expertise
What's the difference between a production designer and art director?
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, coordinating the team, and handling day-to-day operations.
How do production designers work with Irish heritage architecture?
Our production designers have extensive experience working with Ireland's protected heritage sites, including Brú na Bóinne (Newgrange), Skellig Michael, and the Rock of Cashel. They understand OPW and Heritage Council permit requirements and how to integrate these ancient locations into production design plans.
Can you handle both studio builds and locations?
Yes, our production designers excel at combining studio construction at Ardmore Studios, Ashford Studios, and Troy Studios with practical locations across Ireland. Wicklow — Ireland's 'Hollywood' — offers diverse landscapes within easy reach of studio facilities.
What about period productions in Ireland?
Our production designers have extensive experience with historical periods, drawing on Ireland's Celtic monastic ruins, Norman castles, Georgian townhouses, and Victorian industrial heritage. They have access to local research archives, museum collections, and period specialists familiar with Irish design history.
Do you provide the full art department?
Yes, we can staff complete art departments scaled to your production. This includes art directors, set decorators, prop masters, construction coordinators, and all supporting roles sourced from Ireland's experienced English-speaking crew base.
How do production designers work with other departments?
Production designers collaborate closely with cinematography on lighting requirements, costume on visual palette, VFX on digital extensions, and locations on practical considerations. They're the visual hub coordinating all design elements.
Related Services
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ACT 04 — On Set
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