Lily Nager
In my final year studying Design for Film with a focus on Production Design, I brought three diverse projects to life: Indecent Exposure, True West, and Would That I. Indecent Exposure is a TV pilot developed with the fourth-year TV course, where I worked as a production designer alongside another student, creating three built sets from concept to completion. For True West, I reimagined the stage play as a modern adaptation influenced by 1970s design and classic Westerns, creating a claustrophobic environment that mirrors the story’s psychological tension. Would That I is a fictional music video inspired by Hozier’s song, for which I designed two atmospheric sets using SketchUp, V-Ray, and Procreate, inspired by Victorian art and nature.
For my minor project, I reimagined Sam Shepard’s True West as a film. I chose it because I’ve always been drawn to 1970s design and was excited to explore that era visually. I focused my research on the specific region of California where the story is set. I designed a claustrophobic living space with a slanted roof, small windows on one side, and large windows on the other, looking out onto suburbia and an empty pool. I also storyboarded a key scene where the story reaches a boiling point, using the set to heighten the emotional pressure between the characters.
For the majority of my Major project, I worked on Indecent Exposure, which is a TV pilot made in collaboration with the fourth-year TV course at IADT. The story follows a determined young woman willing to do whatever it takes to become an actress. I worked closely with Jess Sammon on the entire art department process, from initial design and concept development to building and dressing the set. We created three sets in total: an apartment, a casting room, and part of a bedroom.
Would That I -
For the last month of my Major, I developed a fictional music video inspired by Hozier’s "Would That I", aiming to capture the song’s atmosphere, emotional depth, and whimsical quality into visual form. The lyrics inspired a story connected to nature, with strong visual elements of water and fire. My goal was to use SketchUp and V-Ray in an illustrative way to create concept art for two dreamlike sets. The first features a bed floating in a pond, surrounded by nature and ruins, loosely inspired by "Die Toteninsel" by Swiss painter Arnold Böcklin. The second set, underwater, depicts the ruins of a burnt Victorian house. Both designs draw from Victorian-era references and paintings, particularly in the character’s look, which was heavily inspired by Ophelia by Sir John Everett Millais.
This thesis explores how the production design of the Elvish realms in The Rings of Power builds on Tolkien’s texts and past concept art to create immersive, visually rich worlds. Focusing on Valinor, Lindon, Eregion, and Rivendell, it analyses how design choices reflect worldbuilding theories and cultural depth. It also looks at how artists like Alan Lee and John Howe influenced the show’s visual language while allowing room for new interpretations.
Lily Nager is a production designer based in Dublin, originally from Switzerland. She graduated in graphic design in Lucerne at Fachklasse Grafik and recently completed a BA in Production Design at IADT. She focuses on research, atmosphere, and detail, ensuring each design supports the story. Proficient in Adobe Creative Suite, SketchUp, V-Ray, and Procreate, Lily also has basic knowledge of AutoCAD and Layout. She has collaborated on film, TV, and music video projects, working closely with creative teams. Her process begins with moodboarding and concept development to create immersive, intentional screen environments. She is particularly interested in pursuing work in art direction, set dressing, and graphic design for screen.
