Meet Yuheng Kuang | Production designer & concept artist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Yuheng Kuang and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi yuheng, why did you pursue a creative career?
I chose a creative path because of a natural urge to observe and express. I’ve always been sensitive to space, details, and atmosphere—often imagining the emotions and stories behind an environment. When I discovered production design, I realized it was the perfect way to combine visuals, storytelling, emotion, and culture. It’s a field that balances intuition and structure.

What excites me most is designing from a character’s point of view. A room’s layout, the placement of everyday objects, even a mark on the wall—these small details can quietly reflect someone’s inner world. I see space as a silent storyteller.

In my work, I’m also interested in finding a dialogue between Eastern and Western cultures—whether through style, symbolism, or mood. I hope my designs can create a sense of emotional connection for the audience, even if it’s just a quiet feeling of “I’ve been here before.” That moment of recognition is what keeps me inspired.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I started with a background in drawing, and later moved into concept design. That experience taught me how to build visual worlds and think in terms of mood and storytelling through images. But as I gained more practical experience, I realized that many conceptual ideas don’t easily translate into real, physical spaces—and that tension between imagination and reality is what drew me toward production design.

I’ve become fascinated by how space holds emotion, and how it connects to characters on a deeper level. There’s a space between free imagination and the practical needs of filmmaking—a space where material, structure, and emotion come together—and that’s where I find the most inspiration.

While I still value visual imagination, what matters to me now is how an idea can be realized, how it can support the story, and how it can resonate with the audience. I want my designs to feel emotionally grounded—not just visually striking, but quietly familiar in a way that stays with you.

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’d take them to Newport Beach for a whale watching trip. It’s a fun and refreshing experience—being out on the water, watching the ocean, and seeing whales appear in the distance is always memorable.We’d also spend some time at the Huntington Library. I love how quiet and beautiful the gardens are, and the exhibitions there are always worth exploring. On one of the evenings, I’d take them to Griffith Observatory to watch the sunset and the city lights come on.

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?
The people I’m most grateful for are my parents. Even without fully understanding the details of my work, they’ve always offered me their trust, their quiet support, and the freedom to choose a creative path that’s often uncertain. In moments of doubt, exhaustion, or confusion, their steady encouragement has given me a deep sense of stability—something I’ve come to value more and more as I grow. Their belief in me has been a quiet but constant presence, allowing me to move forward with a little more clarity and confidence each time.

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nicole_kuang_?igsh=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ%3D%3D&utm_source=qr