Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Naomi Gonzalez Kahn. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Naomi, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. We’d love to hear about when you first realized that you wanted to pursue a creative path professionally.

Since I was a young child I was interested in the stage and films. Born and raised in Mexico City, I’m a Los Angeles based Production Designer & Costume Designer for film, TV, and live performance. I have twenty years of experience working professionally, in the performance industry. I have worked in all positions: being on stage, design, props, costumes, lighting, as well as construction, shops and stage management. I have handled delicate and historic pieces of art and wardrobe. I have drafting, carpentry and sewing skills as well as full historic knowledge of film history. I am not afraid to handle tools, heights or machinery. Since I was 17 years old, I have dedicated my life to designing for film & theater.

I don’t know of a life without design.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

Born and raised in Mexico City, Naomi Gonzalez Kahn is a Los Angeles based Production Designer for film, TV, and live performance. She is a graduate of the UCLA MFA Design program, a member of the Art Directors Guild’s Local 800’s Production Design Initiative, and the Production Design Collective – a global community of production designers. She’s also a past recipient of the Government of Mexico’s prestigious CONACYT/FINBA grant.

She has production-designed films and shows for Disney Studios that include Launchpad films “Growing Fangs”, “Project CC”, Nina West and Kermit the Frog-starrer “This Is Me, Pride Celebration Spectacular” which was the first ever variety show Disney+ produced celebrating LGBTQIA+ Pride month. Naomi was the production designer for the Deon Cole-starrer feature film “I’m Fine Thanks For Asking”, that premiered at SXSW 2021, where it won the special jury award, and was subsequently released on BET+. She has also designed Hulu / 20th Digital Studio / Fox’s horror shorts “Old Maid” and “Uprooted”, commercials and AR/VR for Intel, Coca-Cola, Snapchat, amongst other works that span across genres and forms between Mexico and the US.

Her work has been exhibited at the State Historical Museum in Moscow, and The National Biennial of Design in Mexico where it won first place. She was also the winner of the UCLA/Getty Design Challenge 2017. At UCLA, she was one of the first people to get a Masters both in Production and Costume Design. She additionally holds degrees in Jewelry Design from the National Institute of Fine Arts (INBA Mexico), in Stage Design from the National School of Theatrical Arts (ENAT Mexico City), and a Bench Jeweler credential.

Her films have played at SXSW, Austin, Outfest, Denver, Cinequest, Frameline, amongst many other festivals around the globe. She’s also an adjunct lecturer in theater design at UCLA, and at Tecnológico de Monterrey CDMX, where she mentors future generations of production designers.

Are there any resources you wish you knew about earlier in your creative journey?

We all know technology is fast and changing – always expanding. I believe I had the honor to learn my craft in an analogue manner. Now that I use digital tools for model making, planning, drawing and research, I think it was a privilege to not have any of this while I was learning to think in the visual narrative language.

Transitioning into digital tools has allowed me to be quicker, and precise specially when sharing my ideas when presenting to a creative team, producers or directors. Being able to create with paper and pencil, gives me the ability to be quick on my feet as well as flexible without being constrained by the setting I’m working in.

What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?

I’m very proud I have always been a student, I have been interested in learning and cultivating my skills for as long as I can remember. My development as an artist has never been linear. I have explored and trained all aspects of the arts. I feel like I naturally found a craft that combines everything I’m interested in.

I’m very proud about being multifaceted, about working in all kinds of performing arts. I have found freedom to work as a production designer and costume designer for almost 2 decades, and as my work matures my interests evolve and I have become more complex, my ability to explore, analyze and dissect is one of the things I’m most proud about.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.naomigk.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/naomigk/
• Linkedin: linkedin.com/in/naomi-gonzalez-kahn-9a444673