Toronto-born production designer Andrea Leigh has gained recognition for her exceptional talent in creating captivating and diverse sets for ad campaigns. With a portfolio that spans from historical recreations to graphic and colorful builds, Leigh’s ability to adapt and bring her unique style to each project has made her an internationally sought-after production designer.
Leigh has spent an illustrious career making a name for herself in the film and television industry. As the head of a large department consisting of 10-20 people, Leigh takes on the responsibility of communication and delegation, ensuring the seamless execution of her creative vision.
Leigh’s passion for film and television was ignited when she had the opportunity to witness a production designer bring a film to life while working as a set dresser. From that moment, she was captivated by the process of storytelling through design, which involves script analysis, character development, color selection, and building immersive environments that evoke emotions. She recognizes the importance of her role in the filmmaking process, as the production design and art department lay the foundation for the entire project. With tight timelines and budget constraints, Leigh thrives under pressure and strives to strike a delicate balance between creativity and practicality.
“Creating worlds for the characters and making sure the sets have layers and small tokens of realness, even if no one ever sees them up close, they still add to the scene, building it up, making it real. It’s all what makes me love what I do,” she said.
One of the highlights of Leigh’s career was working on a short film for Vogue magazine featuring supermodel Kendall Jenner. Collaborating with Vogue, a publication she had grown up reading, was a dream come true for Leigh. The project took place in a French-style Chateau, and Leigh had to meticulously plan and organize every aspect to make the most of the limited time they had with the celebrity talent.
Leigh’s versatility as a production designer is evident in her work on various ad campaigns. One notable project was the Ring Central campaign, where she designed two period-based commercials—an elaborate Ancient Roman feast and a Western set. Despite the challenge of creating historically accurate worlds within the confines of a 60-second commercial, Leigh was inspired and determined to maximize the opportunity. The commercials were a massive success, leading to an increase in sales and general brand awareness for Ring Central, making it one of the projects that Leigh is most proud of throughout her career.
“Working on era specific projects is always exciting because I get to do research and obsess over a period or topic that I otherwise might not have known or learned anything about. This usually leads to new interests in my personal life, which then helps me build my skill set for future projects. It really is a full circle experience,” she said.
For the Olly ad campaign, Leigh was drawn to the project’s focus on color and graphic shapes. She designed monochromatic worlds with meticulous attention to detail, creating depth and differentiation through the use of different shades. Her ability to match colors and shapes allowed her to bring the product’s visual appeal to life, making a lasting impression on viewers.
Working on the Tillamook ad campaign, Leigh embraced the playful nature of the project.
Drawing inspiration from filmmaker Wes Anderson, she created a fantastical ice creamery and cheese factory, infusing bold, vibrant colors into the design. Leigh’s creativity and hands-on approach were instrumental in bringing the fantasy elements to the forefront and complementing the characters’ personalities.
In the eBay ad campaign, Leigh’s task was to design a quirky maximalist world that would enhance the comedic approach of the story. By researching and incorporating the celebrity talent’s personal aesthetic, she crafted a unique and expressive environment that resonated with the characters’ style and dialogue.
“It can always seem daunting beginning a project where people have strong personalities and styles. I felt so proud finishing this project for eBay and achieving its look knowing we worked so well together. Being able to accentuate their already established world with my own expanded idea of it was truly a success,” said Leigh.
Leigh’s work has been essential to the success of each project she undertakes. Her meticulous attention to detail, ability to work within tight budgets, and hands-on involvement in every step of the process ensure that the sets she creates align with the director’s vision and captivate the audience. Clients and industry professionals have recognized Leigh’s dedication and expertise, leading to recommendations and further opportunities for her career.
The success of Leigh’s projects brings her a sense of fulfillment and validates the countless hours of hard work, obsession over details, and meticulous decision-making. She takes pride in knowing that her designs have made an impact and that her work has been instrumental in capturing the audience’s attention.
Sharon Howe is a creative person with diverse talents. She writes engaging articles for WonderWorldSpace.com, where she works as a content writer. Writing allows Sharon to inform and captivate readers. Additionally, Sharon pursues music as a hobby, which allows her to showcase her artistic abilities in another creative area.