River Wild
Netflix
Production design by Nóra Talmaier
Directed by Ben Ketai
WORK
Designing Set Elements and Props Graphics
My primary responsibility involved assisting the Set Decoration and Props teams by producing intricate graphic designs tailored for the sets.
I crafted numerous detailed graphic designs, including signs, paperwork, labels, stickers, packaging, and vehicle graphics.
The Chalenge
of the main challenges was transforming the existing locations to reflect an authentic American atmosphere while maintaining a cohesive visual approach. The timeline added an extra layer of complexity, as all the graphics had to be created within just one month. This included designing an entire rafting rental setup, a sheriff’s station, police patrol cars, a helicopter, graphics for the protagonists’ shirts, license plates for vehicles, and a wide variety of directional and road signs. Each element needed to contribute seamlessly to the world-building, making this a demanding yet exciting task.
Bringing the Vision to Life
After reading the script, I took detailed notes on every graphic element mentioned. These notes served as the foundation for discussions with the production designer, who outlined their vision for the visual style. Following our discussions, I gathered reference images and worked on preliminary graphic experiments to develop the right visual approach. This meticulous preparation ensured that I could address both the scripted requirements and the spontaneous graphic needs that arose during the production.
One of the critical aspects of the project was that all the graphics had to look heavily used. Since these designs were placed on actively used props like equipment, vehicles, and clothing, aging the graphics was essential to create authenticity and enhance the illusion of reality. I combined digital aging techniques with analog methods like painting and weathering to achieve a convincing look. This hybrid process ensured that each item blended seamlessly into its environment.
Thanks to the thorough planning and attention to detail, I delivered all designs exactly as envisioned by the production designer and director. Over the course of a carefully structured one-month schedule, every graphic was completed to the highest standard, much to the delight of the creative team.
