Meet Suneha Balasubramanya | Production Designer, Art Director

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

Hi Suneha, any advice for those thinking about whether to keep going or to give up?
As a freelancing production designer, I think the answer lies in the balance between purpose and progress.
There are moments when the jobs are scarce, the recognition feels out of reach, and the uncertainty is overwhelming. But in those moments, I ask myself: Do I still love the craft itself?
Not the politics, not the hustle, but the act of designing spaces that tell stories, the thrill of visual storytelling, and the way a moodboard or a concept sketch can shape an entire narrative.

Are there still sparks of growth? Even if I’m not where I want to be yet, am I learning? Expanding my aesthetic? Networking better? Building resilience?

Would I be happier doing something else?
If the answer is no, then I’m not done. It just means I need to pivot, rest, or rethink—not give up.

There’s a difference between giving up and strategically pausing, refocusing, or even redefining success. Sometimes, keeping going doesn’t mean pushing harder—it means adapting smarter.
And sometimes, giving up isn’t quitting—it’s choosing yourself over burnout.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
My art lives in the intersection of storytelling, architecture, and emotional memory. As a production designer, I see every space as a character—one that silently holds the psychology, history, and tension of the scene. What sets me apart is my instinct to design from the inside out. I don’t just decorate; I try to build worlds that feel lived-in, emotionally resonant, and rooted in the inner lives of the characters.

One of the things I’m most proud of is how I’ve learned to trust my voice, even when I felt like an outsider. Coming up in this industry wasn’t easy—especially as a freelancer trying to carve a space in an incredibly competitive, fast-paced environment. There were periods of self-doubt, rejection, and burnout. What got me through was remembering why I do this. Storytelling, for me, has always been a form of connection and preservation—especially of underrepresented narratives and overlooked environments.

Professionally, I got to where I am today through a mix of persistence, community, and curiosity. I went to grad school to study Production Design, but also the real education came from saying yes to challenging, low-budget, high-risk projects that pushed my creativity and forced me to think resourcefully. I learned that constraints are often gifts in disguise. They sharpen your instincts.

One lesson I carry with me is: not to wait to be chosen—and start designing like I already am. Whether it’s a short film or a major set, I treat every project like it deserves world-class attention. My story is still unfolding, and I’m here to build stories that feel honest, textured, and deeply human. I design spaces—but I usually call them emotional landscapes.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
If my best friend was visiting, I’d want to give them a week that felt like living inside a beautifully shot film—warm, layered, and full of unexpected detail. LA has this strange magic to it—equal parts dream and decay—and I’d want them to experience both.

We’d start with sunsets. Always. There’s something about the light here—it makes everything look cinematic. Griffith Park, the coastline in Malibu, or just sitting on a random rooftop cafes in Echo Park with music playing in the background. The city slows down when the sun dips, and I’d want them to feel that hush.

We’d wander through museums and studio backlots, but also the in-between spaces—the murals in alleyways, flea markets where you find objects with stories, or design bookstores tucked into quiet corners. I’d take them to the kind of places where your creative brain just clicks on without effort.

We’d hit up the Melrose Trading Post or Rose Bowl Flea Market, grab brunch at Republique or Sqirl, talking about life and art. The kinds of spots where conversations drift from art to heartbreak to career dreams. Maybe we’d end up sketching at a café or moodboarding ideas that came up mid-meal.

The week would be full of contradictions—nature and concrete, stillness and chaos, luxury and grit. That’s what I love most about this city. It’s never just one thing. It’s layered, like good production design—every frame telling you more than what’s on the surface.

Mostly, I’d want them to leave feeling re-inspired. Not just by the places we went, but by the kind of headspace LA creates when you let it wash over you slowly.

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?
Shoutout to the people behind the scenes of my journey—just like in film, the unseen support makes the magic happen. I’m incredibly grateful to a few key people and influences. First, my mentors and instructors at the AFI Conservatory, who challenged my instincts, pushed my boundaries, and helped me see design as more than just aesthetics—as storytelling with purpose. I also want to recognize my peers—fellow designers, art directors, and collaborators—who’ve shared long nights, creative breakthroughs, and mutual support during tough freelance stretches.

Outside of film, I owe a lot to my close-knit support system—friends who reminded me of my worth when self-doubt crept in, and family who stood by me despite the unpredictable nature of a creative career. And honestly, books on design theory, creative psychology, and even spiritual texts have grounded me when the industry felt overwhelming. They reminded me that this is a path, not a race.

This journey hasn’t been solitary, and I carry the encouragement, advice, and energy of many with me into every project I do.

Website: https://sunehabalasubramanya.com

Instagram: suneha_balasubramanya

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/feed/

Other: IMDB: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm14528280/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_2_tt_4_nm_4_in_0_q_SUNEHA