Course Info

FILM 170: The Art of Production Design

This course explores production design and art direction as a narrative art form in cinema and examines the collaborative relationship between director, production designer and cinematographer. Using films, observational readings, screenplays, lectures, research, and discussion, students will study the fundamentals of a production designer's approach towards visualizing and conceptualizing story. Students will also gain a historical perspective of how the role of production design has evolved and how advances in technology have influenced the various crafts.

Fall 2025-2026


Section 401

Class number 12622

  • Meeting dates: 9/10/2025 - 11/25/2025
  • Meeting time: M 8:30AM - 11:45AM
  • Location: CINES P024A at Cinespace Chicago Film Studios Campus
  • Instructor: Noelle Thomas | View syllabus
  • CLOSED
  • Meeting dates: 9/10/2025 - 11/25/2025
  • Meeting time: M 8:30AM - 11:45AM
  • Location: N/A at Cinespace Chicago Film Studios Campus
  • Instructor: Noelle Thomas | View syllabus
  • CLOSED



Section 402

Class number 12621

  • Meeting dates: 9/10/2025 - 11/25/2025
  • Meeting time: Tu 8:30AM - 11:45AM
  • Location: CINES P024A at Cinespace Chicago Film Studios Campus
  • Instructor: Noelle Thomas | View syllabus
  • CLOSED
  • Meeting dates: 9/10/2025 - 11/25/2025
  • Meeting time: Tu 8:30AM - 11:45AM
  • Location: N/A at Cinespace Chicago Film Studios Campus
  • Instructor: Noelle Thomas | View syllabus
  • CLOSED


  • Section: 702
  • Class number: 12705
  • Meeting time: Th 6:00PM - 9:15PM
  • Location: SHMIT 00254 at Lincoln Park Campus
  • Instructor: Kaitlin Creadon | View syllabus
  • CLOSED

Spring 2024-2025


Section 601

Class number 32687

  • Meeting dates: 3/29/2025 - 6/13/2025
  • Meeting time: M 8:30AM - 11:45AM
  • Location: CINES P0102 at Cinespace Chicago Film Studios Campus
  • Instructor: Claire DiVito | View syllabus
  • CLOSED
  • Meeting dates: 3/29/2025 - 6/13/2025
  • Meeting time: M 8:30AM - 11:45AM
  • Location: CINES P024B at Cinespace Chicago Film Studios Campus
  • Instructor: Claire DiVito | View syllabus
  • CLOSED


  • Section: 901
  • Class number: 32621
  • Meeting time: Th 5:45PM - 9:00PM
  • Location: CDM 00924 at Loop Campus
  • Instructor: Kaitlin Creadon | View syllabus
  • CLOSED

Winter 2024-2025


Section 501

Class number 23357

  • Meeting dates: 1/4/2025 - 3/21/2025
  • Meeting time: M 8:30AM - 11:45AM
  • Location: CINES P0102 at Cinespace Chicago Film Studios Campus
  • Instructor: Noelle Thomas | View syllabus
  • CLOSED
  • Meeting dates: 1/4/2025 - 3/21/2025
  • Meeting time: M 8:30AM - 11:45AM
  • Location: CINES P024A at Cinespace Chicago Film Studios Campus
  • Instructor: Noelle Thomas | View syllabus
  • CLOSED



Section 502

Class number 25879

  • Meeting dates: 1/4/2025 - 3/21/2025
  • Meeting time: M 1:15PM - 4:30PM
  • Location: CINES P0102 at Cinespace Chicago Film Studios Campus
  • Instructor: Claire DiVito | View syllabus
  • CLOSED
  • Meeting dates: 1/4/2025 - 3/21/2025
  • Meeting time: M 1:15PM - 4:30PM
  • Location: CINES P024A at Cinespace Chicago Film Studios Campus
  • Instructor: Claire DiVito | View syllabus
  • CLOSED


  • Section: 801
  • Class number: 22504
  • Meeting time: Th 5:45PM - 9:00PM
  • Location: 14EAS 00214 at Loop Campus
  • Instructor: Kaitlin Creadon | View syllabus

Fall 2024-2025


Section 401

Class number 14282

  • Meeting dates: 9/4/2024 - 11/19/2024
  • Meeting time: M 8:30AM - 11:45AM
  • Location: CINES P0102 at Cinespace Chicago Film Studios Campus
  • Instructor: Noelle Thomas | View syllabus
  • Meeting dates: 9/4/2024 - 11/19/2024
  • Meeting time: M 8:30AM - 11:45AM
  • Location: CINES P024A at Cinespace Chicago Film Studios Campus
  • Instructor: Noelle Thomas | View syllabus



Section 402

Class number 14281

  • Meeting dates: 9/4/2024 - 11/19/2024
  • Meeting time: Tu 8:30AM - 11:45AM
  • Location: CINES P0102 at Cinespace Chicago Film Studios Campus
  • Instructor: Noelle Thomas | View syllabus
  • CLOSED
  • Meeting dates: 9/4/2024 - 11/19/2024
  • Meeting time: Tu 8:30AM - 11:45AM
  • Location: CINES P024A at Cinespace Chicago Film Studios Campus
  • Instructor: Noelle Thomas | View syllabus
  • CLOSED


  • Section: 702
  • Class number: 14378
  • Meeting time: Th 6:00PM - 9:15PM
  • Location: SHMIT 00254 at Lincoln Park Campus
  • Instructor: Kaitlin Creadon | View syllabus
  • CLOSED

Spring 2023-2024

  • Section: 601
  • Class number: 32596
  • Meeting time: Th 1:30PM - 4:45PM
  • Location: CDM 00708 at Loop Campus
  • Instructor: Kaitlin Creadon | View syllabus
  • CLOSED
  • Section: 901
  • Class number: 32515
  • Meeting time: Th 5:45PM - 9:00PM
  • Location: 14EAS 00801 at Loop Campus
  • Instructor: Kaitlin Creadon | View syllabus
  • CLOSED

Winter 2023-2024

  • Section: 501
  • Class number: 25271
  • Meeting time: TuTh 3:10PM - 4:40PM
  • Location: CDM 00218 at Loop Campus
  • Instructor: Kaitlin Creadon | View syllabus
  • Section: 801
  • Class number: 22427
  • Meeting time: Th 5:45PM - 9:00PM
  • Location: 14EAS 00801 at Loop Campus
  • Instructor: Kaitlin Creadon | View syllabus
  • CLOSED

Fall 2023-2024

  • Section: 401
  • Class number: 13089
  • Meeting time: TuTh 1:30PM - 3:00PM
  • Location: CDM 00220 at Loop Campus
  • Instructor: Kaitlin Creadon | View syllabus
  • CLOSED
  • Section: 701
  • Class number: 13088
  • Meeting time: W 5:45PM - 9:00PM
  • Location: CDM 00708 at Loop Campus
  • Instructor: Noelle Thomas | View syllabus
  • Section: 702
  • Class number: 15904
  • Meeting time: Th 6:00PM - 9:15PM
  • Location: STDCT R0330 at Lincoln Park Campus
  • Instructor: Kaitlin Creadon | View syllabus
  • CLOSED

Spring 2022-2023

  • Section: 601
  • Class number: 40571
  • Meeting time: Th 1:30PM - 4:45PM
  • Location: CDM 00708 at Loop Campus
  • Instructor: Kaitlin Creadon | View syllabus
  • CLOSED
  • Section: 901
  • Class number: 39775
  • Meeting time: Th 5:45PM - 9:00PM
  • Location: 14EAS 00214 at Loop Campus
  • Instructor: Kaitlin Creadon | View syllabus

Winter 2022-2023

  • Section: 801
  • Class number: 29066
  • Meeting time: Th 5:45PM - 9:00PM
  • Location: CDM 00708 at Loop Campus
  • Instructor: Kaitlin Creadon | View syllabus

Fall 2022-2023

  • Section: 401
  • Class number: 18738
  • Meeting time: TuTh 1:30PM - 3:00PM
  • Location: CDM 00220 at Loop Campus
  • Instructor: Kaitlin Creadon | View syllabus
  • CLOSED
  • Section: 701
  • Class number: 18737
  • Meeting time: Th 6:00PM - 9:15PM
  • Location: STDCT R0330 at Lincoln Park Campus
  • Instructor: Kaitlin Creadon | View syllabus
  • CLOSED

Spring 2021-2022

  • Section: 601
  • Class number: 43597
  • Meeting time: Th 10:00AM - 1:15PM
  • Location: CDM 00708 at Loop Campus
  • Instructor: Lawrence Kim
  • CLOSED
  • Section: 901
  • Class number: 37153
  • Meeting time: W 5:45PM - 9:00PM
  • Location: CDM 00924 at Loop Campus
  • Instructor: Kaitlin Creadon | View syllabus

Winter 2021-2022

  • Section: 801
  • Class number: 28774
  • Meeting time: Th 5:45PM - 9:00PM
  • Location: CDM 00708 at Loop Campus
  • Instructor: Lawrence Kim
  • CLOSED

Fall 2021-2022

  • Section: 401
  • Class number: 4352
  • Meeting time: TuTh 1:30PM - 3:00PM
  • Location: CDM 00708 at Loop Campus
  • Instructor: Lawrence Kim
  • CLOSED
  • Section: 701
  • Class number: 4351
  • Meeting time: Th 6:00PM - 9:15PM
  • Location: LEVAN 00305 at Lincoln Park Campus
  • Instructor: Kaitlin Creadon | View syllabus
  • CLOSED

Spring 2020-2021