Meet Alejandra Arrieta Páez | Production Designer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Alejandra Arrieta Páez and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Alejandra, what are you inspired by?
The search for my creative self has led me to find inspiration in many things, but above all; the sense of discovery inspires me. In my creative journey, I have learned and collaborated with extraordinary artistic minds that have motivated me to explore, develop new skills, and seek different ways of perceiving the world. As a Production Designer, I find inspiration in the environments surrounding me and in those beliefs that unite us as humans. So, when I approach the design of a space, I look for the story and the emotions it should convey. I think about the people who have gone through this space and those who could go through it, and I find myself discovering stories. In a way, stories inspire me because they are memories, recollections of lives, or the unique perspectives of a society. So, I am eager to share these stories and help bring them to life in front of a camera lens or behind the curtains of a stage.
Likewise, the challenge of materializing these ideas is inspiring. For me, it’s about challenging my imagination and looking inside my head for those details that fit what I want to express. Whether it’s creating my art, designing a set, or enjoying the work of other artists, it’s discovering those subtle details that give the piece meaning that inspire that excitement to continue creating.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I help bring stories to life. I’m a Production Designer from Colombia, and I create visual concepts for the overall look of audiovisual projects across different entertainment platforms (film, Tv, theater, etc.). My job is to conceptualize ideas and transform them into environments that reflect the emotions contained in a story. I collaborate with directors, producers, and creatives to make the vision of their projects a reality. My creative process starts by understanding the story and extracting all the concepts guiding its design. From there, finding what works best for each project is a collaborative process. Mood boards, sketches, illustrations, and digital or physical models are some of the tools I use to show the different iterations of the design. After that comes the planning to execute, so sourcing, technical drawings, and tons of to-do lists to make it happen.

I grew up surrounded by a family filled with engineers, doctors, and lawyers. However, they always have been very supportive and allowed me to find spaces to exploit my creativity. But when it was time to decide what to do with my life, I struggled because I didn’t know if a creative career would suit me. Was I going to be good enough? Am I going to be able to find a job? And a lot of questions of self-doubt went through y mind. But with my family behind me, I decided to study Audiovisual Communication at Universidad de La Sabana in Chía, Colombia.

While studying at the university, I discovered that behind my favorite movies is a magical world that makes it possible for stories to come to life on the big screen. So, I participated in the production of short films, documentaries, and music videos and learned that you could connect emotionally with a character’s journey through the design of the sets and spaces surrounding them. My curiosity to explore how fictional worlds are built behind the scenes led me to want to understand how the film industry works and to expand my knowledge in the field. Fascinated by the possibilities, I pursued a master’s degree in Production Design at Savannah College of Art and Design. Being there allowed me to connect with people from other cultures, passionate about cinema and the arts and learn from their experiences in the industry. Now that I’m working more consistently on different productions, I apply all the knowledge I’ve learned to every project.

The most exciting thing about working in the film industry is that every day is different. It’s a constant burst of creativity. Working in the art department is living on adrenaline for 12 hours daily. And although sometimes I would like to take more time to absorb everything that happens, I am excited to continue learning from my colleagues and expanding my skills in this field of cinema. In the last year, I have worked in the production of several feature films and some short films. Each project represents a different challenge where I can express an artistic character. The main challenge in most of the projects I have worked on has been to be recursive and find creative solutions to the aesthetic demands of each story requires.

As I grow in my professional path, I would like to have the opportunity to collaborate on more projects with like-minded people. I also would like to delve into more significant challenges like period productions or spaces requiring considerable transformations. I want to explore theater or production design for live stages. It is a job that requires an approach to the design process that is very different from that of film productions and one that I would like to discover.

One of my strengths is my willingness to learn. I want to be the kind of production designer who is constantly growing; I want to challenge myself and let my imagination run wild. One of the main reasons I chose this path was to see the multiple learning possibilities. Working on creating worlds for cinematographic stories is learning about different cultures, history, generations, and different ways of seeing the world. As a designer, I aim to create worlds that inspire and emotionally connect with the audience.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
I need to explore more of the city because I still don’t know it well. But I love discovering new restaurants, so that would definitely be on the list. If we were indecisive, we would go to one of the market-style compounds scattered in town, like Ponce City Market or Krog Street Market, where we could choose and try different kinds of food. Or we could choose one of the many establishments around the Belt Line or in Atlantic Station. For activities, we would visit the High Museum of Art and the Botanical Gardens and a walk around Piedmont Park. To end our days, we could go to a bowling alley or catch a theater show for evening fun.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I am immensely grateful to the universe for the people who have surrounded me along my way. My family, especially my parents, have supported me unconditionally and encouraged me to follow my dreams. Thanks to them, I could come to the United States from Colombia to study for a master’s degree at SCAD. They are the ones who have guided me along my life and the ones that gave me the space, growing up, to express myself creatively. Then, I have had many mentors, and I have learned something from each person I have been lucky enough to come across. University professors in Colombia (my home) and at SCAD have awakened my curiosity and hunger to continue learning. They have given me tools I always carry to improve my skills. And many colleagues and friends whom I deeply admire. We have been building our paths hand in hand with several of them, supporting each other and celebrating our successes. They constantly inspire me with their creative abilities, determination, and multiple ways of seeing the world.

Website: www.alejandraarrietapaez.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alearrieta_art/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alejandra-arrieta-páez/

Other: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm13242595/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_0

Image Credits
Alejandra Arrieta Páez, Patrick Johnson