We were lucky to catch up with Camila Pons Del Toro recently and have shared our conversation below.
Camila, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Alright – so having the idea is one thing, but going from idea to execution is where countless people drop the ball. Can you talk to us about your journey from idea to execution?
It almost always begins with a motif. I like to read the script a couple of times and search for a connecting visual thread or metaphor that can symbolize the underlying theme. Sometimes it’s an object, a color, or even a texture that feels like it holds the emotional DNA of the story. Once I find that, everything else starts to build around it.
From there I move into research. I gather images, textures, artworks, and everyday details that feel connected to that motif. This part is almost like detective work and its where I have the most fun ; Collecting clues that tell me how the world should look and feel. Out of that research I start creating moodboards, sketches, and palettes that capture the emotional texture of the story.
Then comes the translation into something tangible for the team and specially the director and DP so that we can all discuss how to best tell the story. I take that visual thread and break it down into practical design elements ( what colors dominate the space, what materials the characters are surrounded by, what objects carry memory, and establish the rules of the world ) This becomes the roadmap for the art department.
Execution is always about collaboration. I work closely within my department and across departments as well, I like to do my own set decoration if the project allows for it but I rely a lot on graphic designers, prop makers, construction coordinators, scenic painters, everyone adds their own artistry. The original motif and ‘design bible’ is what keeps us grounded, but the design grows and changes as the team brings it to life.
As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?
I’m Camila, a Mexican-born production designer and art director based in Los Angeles. I’m the youngest of four siblings, and ever since I can remember I’ve been creating little worlds, constantly rearranging my room, painting walls, making up “shows” for my family. At sixteen I fell in love with photography and film, and soon after I discovered the world of production design. I realized that many of the designers I admired came from art or architecture, so I decided to study Architecture knowing I wanted to translate that foundation into film. I graduated in 2021 and later earned a Master’s in Production Design from the American Film Institute, which brought me to Los Angeles.
Today I design for film, commercials, and music videos, creating worlds that feel emotionally alive. My work often uses handcrafted elements, bespoke props, and maximalist details to reveal character and story. What sets me apart is that I don’t just aim for beautiful sets, I design for life outside the frame. I think deeply about the small, intimate details that make a space feel like someone’s home: the chipped mug with stale coffee, the leftovers on the kitchen counter, the drawer full of old receipts. To me, production design is about empathy and storytelling through objects and spaces.
I’ve collaborated on more than 20 short films, done commercials for brands like Adidas and Bad Bunny, and have designed and set decorated 3 features around the country with 3 more upcoming including Sheepwell (Alabama) No One Likes a Mad Woman (Salem) CryBaby Road (Los Angeles) and Ride or Die (Montana). I’m also dipping my toes into a beautiful stop-motion project that’s been a dream in the making. We’re working with the legendary MacKinnon & Saunders—the same team behind the puppets for Corpse Bride, Fantastic Mr. Fox, and Guillermo del Toro’s Pinocchio and will begin production soon!
What I’m most proud of is that I get to do this for a living, working with many creatives telling all kinds of stories and hopefully making them feel something. I want my work to create a sense of belonging, to build spaces that people can connect with on a deeply human level. For me, design is about finding the poetry in objects, uncovering hidden stories, and crafting environments where characters and audiences can truly exist.
What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?
It helps me channel all the energy I carry within me and put it onto something tangible, I am able to not only process my thoughts on a concept but I am able to share it and explore it with other people; It’s both a deeply social thing but also deeply personal, and that balance is what I love most. It constantly challenges me to look at life through a different lens, to keep questioning other ways of living and doing things. It lets me imagine worlds beyond my own and connect with people different from myself. Every project is a new challenge, and is truly never similar to the one before which means I am constantly meeting new people and traveling to different places or learning through research.
Are there any resources you wish you knew about earlier in your creative journey?
My design process has always been rooted in curiosity, resourcefulness, and the belief that stories live in every corner if you look closely enough. Growing up in Mexico, making films with no real budget meant I had to become incredibly crafty. I learned early that limitations can be a gift. Without fancy rentals or warehouses, I borrowed furniture from friends, reimagined family heirlooms, and turned everyday objects into treasures. It felt like my own little prop shop made up of all the people I love.
I’ve always been a bit nosy in the best way. I love inspecting spaces, taking mental notes of how people live, what they choose to surround themselves with. Since I was a child I’ve redecorated my room for every holiday, celebration, or shift in mood. That instinct to transform space stayed with me, and it’s now the core of how I design.
Collaboration is where the magic happens. Meeting local artists and craftsmen is one of my favorite parts of the job, especially in new or unfamiliar places. Learning a new technique or hearing how someone else sees the world keeps me inspired. For me, design is a conversation, a collection of memories, skills, and imaginations coming together to build something bigger than ourselves.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://camilaponsdeltoro.com
- Instagram: camilaponsdeltoro
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/camila-pons-del-toro-759041381/
