Meet Alex Peña | Production Designer

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

Hi Alex, what role has risk played in your life or career?
Risk has always been a part of my life. The way I assess risk and choose to act on it has definitely shaped my life and the decisions I’ve made—personally and professionally.

I believe risk is what marks the difference between fulfilling your dreams and reaching your goals, or spending your life haunted by “what if” scenarios.

There was a time when I was very hesitant to take risks, mostly because I carried a deep, heavy fear of failure. I used to think that if things were working in life, there was no reason to disrupt that “balance” and possibly lose everything. I found comfort in staying away from the unknown.

But I’ve always looked up to people who challenge themselves to be different. It was clear to me that those people stood out because they had a constant desire to grow and become the best version of themselves. And with that came taking risks and making sacrifices.

So I started questioning the mindset and thought patterns that were keeping me from moving forward. I began to push myself to take that first step and slowly learned how to manage and assess risk.

It’s still very challenging—to set a goal in your heart, feel all the fear and uncertainty that comes with it, and then take the leap anyway. But I’ve learned to sit with the discomfort and keep going. It’s a loop that keeps showing up in my life. What once felt like a crazy dream now feels normal and tangible, like every piece is falling into place. And now, with new goals that feel even riskier, I find myself back in that familiar place—challenged by the unknown, but with the mindset and tools that remind me that taking the risk is what makes it all possible.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I’m a production designer for film and TV, and I came into it through architecture. My job is to build the visual world of a film—carefully curating every element the characters interact with and creating a world that adds depth to the story.

I’m especially interested in creating spaces that, through detail and craft, transport the audience and the characters to another reality. I really enjoy building worlds that are unusual or surreal—maybe because I’ve always seen film as a form of escape, a way to pause real life and step into someone else’s.

I don’t think there’s anything easy about this craft. It’s a challenging and complex discipline that demands a mix of skills—creative, technical, collaborative, and logistical. This industry is fast-paced and competitive, and I think self-doubt and second-guessing your ideas are part of the process. I’ve learnt to accept this as part of the process and to step back when I reach this point. It is essential for me to have a balance between my professional and personal life and self care, so that I can go back to my ideas and see them with fresher eyes.

Also, what helps me move through that is knowing I trust my process. I trust my skills and my ability to create strong, meaningful concepts that can elevate a story.

I also believe that film has been my window to the world outside of my own. It’s one of the most powerful ways I’ve gotten to learn about different cultures, perspectives, and realities. Seeing a concept that once lived in my materialize in the real world is incredibly rewarding.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I’m currently based in New York City, and if I had a friend visiting, there are a few places I’d definitely want to take them. I think our first stop would be Café Reggio on MacDougal Street. I really love the atmosphere there—it’s a very old, unique place, and as a film person, I also love that it’s been used as a location in different movies.

We’d take long walks through the city, but I’d try to stay away from the more touristy areas. I’d go for something more relaxed and peaceful, like Brooklyn Heights. I love walking around those quiet streets, spotting brownstones, and appreciating a more quiet part of the city.

We’d stop for food at River Deli, for some good pasta, and then keep walking along the piers. I’d definitely take them to the football pitch on Pier 5—either for a quick match or just to appreciate the views of Manhattan.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I feel very grateful and lucky to be working in an industry that’s always had a big impact on my life. I’ve always known I wanted to be part of film, and I’m happy that I get to do that now.

There are a lot of people who’ve helped me get to this point. My biggest and loudest shoutout goes to my parents.

Even though they come from the world of business, my love for the arts, culture, and film comes from them. As a kid, it was a tradition to go to the movies multiple times a week. We watched all kinds of films and stories—even the same movie more than once.

They introduced me to music, films, and stories that really shaped how I see the world. That influence is still present in the way I dream, and now, in the way I design and build the worlds of the films I work on.

They’ve always been supportive of my career and my objectives, even when I’m pursuing a career in the arts and it is a very uncertain and unknown world to them.

Website: https://alexpenadesign.com

Instagram: alexinanadon

Image Credits
Concept Renderings by Alex Peña
Anima – Directed by Robin Zeijlon
From the Morning – Directed by Jack Auen
52 Minutos – Directed by Jean Chapiro