Behind most memorable cover girls is a one of a kind set—literally. Production designers have long since been creating tangible worlds from their imagination, immortalizing snippets of their innerworkings in photoshoots and the like.
Be it producing something as commonplace as a bedroom or as fantastical as an underwater scene, these artists have a knack for curating spaces and making it feel uniquely special. More than creating backdrops, these storytellers add a crucial layer to each frame—visually anchoring the theme and making sure the message is driven home. One such luminary threading this path is 21-year old Migs Alcid.
Meet Migs Alcid, one of the country's youngest production designers.
One of the youngest production designers in the country, you’d be surprised to learn that the Interior Design student and Studio Tatin founder had never set sights on this path prior. It was a videographer's hunch that got the ball rolling. Their friend surmised Migs’ skills and interest (they’re the costume master of the acclaimed UST Salinggawi Dance Troupe, BTW!) would be ideal in doing a simple set for a music video and invited them to give it a try. This first project would open doors to what is, according to Migs, a “fun, dreamy, and creative, unlike any other” profession in a burgeoning industry where Migs and their team continue to make a name for themselves.
“Studio Tatin is a design studio that specializes in production design, interior styling, and art direction consultancy,” Migs tells Preview. Their set design portfolio includes music videos of Maymay Entrata and Jayda Avanzado, covers for Preview and Candy, as well as other commercial shoots with familiar, household names.
While each project is executed with their standard of excellence and treated as an opportunity to learn and experiment, Migs shares that three projects are very close to their heart. These are Kathryn Bernardo and Daniel Padilla’s Shawarma Shack Christmas Special, Madam Inutz's Inutil music video, and Francine Diaz’ Preview cover because it was a series of firsts: first commercial, first debut music video, and first magazine cover. “These three projects really allowed me to play with my creativity and imagination,” Migs further expounds.
While the name “Tatin” refers to their childhood nickname to celebrate their roots and to keep them grounded, there is no doubt that Tatin the artist and Tatin the company will reach the heights they’ve envisioned. “The ultimate dream is to make the design more purposeful and impactful so that it could make a significant change in the world,” they reveal.
Find out what makes Studio Tatin's Migs Alcid top of their class as a production designer in this exclusive interview with Preview. They'll also share tips for taking better photos for your feed, so read on!
Can you tell us about your design process? What are the steps you take upon receiving a brief?
"Well, the first thing I do is to always consult with the vision of the director to know what is the intention of the project in order to pave the direction of the design. This step is very crucial for me to make sure that the design blends well with the storyline to convey the message better to the audience. From there, Studio Tatin will have a good flow. Secondly, is to identify the elements and characteristics of the idea and to imagine yourself transported to a specific art style. Lastly, in a fast-paced environment such as production design, it is important to consider the budgetary constraints and intelligently identify which elements of the design can be made into reality. These considerations are key in making the set look aesthetically pleasing yet feasible."
What do you think sets you apart from other creatives? What about Studio Tatin?
"I think my personality as an artist and my work ethic as a young professional sets me apart from other creatives. I’m still starting out young, and I believe I can bring something new to the table. We employ little easter eggs in the set that adds character and depth to the story. We don’t always aim for a perfectly themed set. Sometimes the perfect set can be achieved through imperfection."
Can you share tips for aspiring production designers? What is one thing you wish someone told you when you were starting out?
"Nobody told me that there was a lack of production designers in the Philippines. There aren’t a lot of schools that offer programs for this career choice. I guess I could say for aspiring production designers is to (1) bBe aware of our art history since it is important to know our references when creating a design; (2) be resourceful with materials, because this career path is very visual and tactile. Lastly, like any other artist, (3) always be a student because you can never stop learning in the creative industry."
Can you share 3 basic design principles anyone can incorporate into taking better photos for their feed?
"1. Color blocking - When creating an ensemble of two or three colors, make sure to choose a palette that creates harmony with each other. In a monochromatic scheme, you can choose different shades and tones of the same hue in order to create interest in the design.
2. Texture and depth - Adding texture and depth to your design makes the set look three-dimensional therefore a bit more realistic, A design that is too clean and pristine may look a bit more animated on screen.
3. Visual triangle - This technique is used when you are styling decor or furniture with your design. The most aesthetically pleasing way to create interest is to draw out a visual triangle when arranging these elements. Arranging items in odd numbers and in different heights usually help to achieve this design principle."
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