✨ Discover the Art of Prop & Set Design – Watch the Recording Now!

Last night’s Props & Sets – Designing with Personality masterclass with Maíra Valentim was an incredible deep dive into the hidden storytelling power of objects. If you missed it, we’ve got great news – the recording is now available for you to watch at your own pace!

🎥 Watch Now:

This session wasn’t just about drawing cool objects—it was about how props and sets create mood, tell a story, and define a world. Whether it’s a battered watch in The Last of Us, a quirky walkie-talkie built from scavenged parts, or the unforgettable silhouette of the DeLorean from Back to the Future, every well-designed object has meaning beyond just looking good.

👉 Did you know? Even the most everyday prop—like a chair—can tell us who sits in it, what kind of person they are, and what kind of world they live in. A sleek, futuristic chair says something very different than a rickety, hand-carved wooden one. In animation, video games, and comics, these details do the heavy lifting of world-building—often before a single line of dialogue is spoken.

So, how do we design with storytelling in mind? It starts with fundamentals.

💡 Key Takeaways from the Masterclass:
✅ Silhouette & Shape Language Matter – A strong silhouette makes a prop instantly recognizable, and different shapes evoke different emotions. (Pointy = dangerous, Round = friendly, Square = stable.)
✅ Props Need a Backstory – Just like characters, props are part of the narrative. Ask: Who owns this? How was it made? Has it been used for years, or is it brand new?
✅ 2D vs. 3D Design Process – Designing for a 2D show requires crisp linework and detailed turnarounds, while 3D productions rely on material references, scale guides, and front/side views for modelers.
✅ Exaggeration & Stylization – Realism isn’t always the goal. Sometimes pushing proportions, breaking symmetry, and adding quirky details makes a prop stand out more.
✅ Working Smart, Not Just Hard – Using reference images, quick thumbnail sketches, and silhouette studies helps speed up the creative process while keeping designs interesting.

Want to Dive Deeper? Join Maíra’s 10-Week Workshop!

If you loved these insights and want hands-on training with professional feedback, Maíra’s full-length workshop starts soon!

🎨 Props & Set Design: Creating Worlds with Personality
📅 Start Date: Monday, February 17th
⏰ Time: 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM EST
💻 Online via Google Meets

🛠️ What You’ll Learn Week by Week:
🔹 Week 1: Dynamic Sketching & Basic Perspective – Build confidence in loose, expressive sketching and solid perspective foundations.
🔹 Week 2: Design Principles & How to Apply Them – Learn how to craft objects that fit seamlessly into a visual world.
🔹 Week 3: How to Use & Gather Reference – Develop a structured approach to finding inspiration and solving design challenges.
🔹 Week 4: Prop Design for 2D Animation – Create detailed props that align with 2D production pipelines.
🔹 Week 5: Prop Design for 3D Animation – Learn how to provide modelers with the right angles, details, and materials for 3D production.
🔹 Week 6: Designing Organic Elements – Master trees, foliage, and natural elements to enrich your environments.
🔹 Week 7: Vehicle & Device Design – Explore mechanical and functional design for objects that feel real and usable.
🔹 Week 8-9: Introduction & Continuation of Set Design – Learn how to compose fully realized locations using all the skills from previous weeks.
🔹 Week 10: Final Feedback & Portfolio Review – Get direct critiques and polish your work for professional presentation.

🚨 Spots Are Limited – Secure Your Seat Now!

This is your chance to work directly with a concept artist who has designed for Disney, Marvel, and Night at the Museum.

Join us and start building a portfolio that stands out in animation, video games, and illustration!

📢 Other Exciting Events Coming Up:
📌 Intro to Blender (10-Week Online Course) – Starts Feb 19
📌 Portfolio Review Fair (In-Person) – Feb 15
📌 Designing a Comic Page (Online Masterclass) – Feb 20
📌 In-Person Open House – Feb 22

💌 Thank you for being part of our creative community! We’re always excited to see your artistic journey unfold, and we can’t wait to learn and grow together.

📩 Questions? Reach out to Amanda anytime at [email protected]

Stay in Touch!