Mexican production designer Andrea Figueroa Chávez approaches spaces as more than visual compositions. To her, they are experiences shaped not only for an audience, but also for the artists who inhabit them. Through an exploration of materiality, cultural references, and the relationship between people and their surroundings, her work considers how environments can become extensions of the way we perceive reality.
Based in Los Angeles, Figueroa Chávez works across narrative cinema, feature films, music videos, international advertising campaigns, and immersive visual environments. Her practice moves fluidly between artistic research and scenic fabrication, combining organic textures, sculptural forms, and carefully selected objects to create spaces with a distinct visual identity.
Her approach is informed by both formal training and a multidisciplinary curiosity. A Summa Cum Laude graduate of the New York Film Academy with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Filmmaking, Figueroa Chávez was selected for the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences’ Academy Gold Rising program in Production Design. She is also a member of the Production Designers Collective, reflecting her continued involvement in the broader production design community. A recurring element in her work is the relationship between the natural world and the built environment. Rather than treating nature as decoration, she explores its ability to shape atmosphere, introduce visual contrast, and transform the perception of a space.
“Nature is a collaborator,” Figueroa Chávez says. “It has its own movement, textures, and imperfections. I love allowing those qualities to become part of the visual language rather than trying to control every detail.”
This sensibility is particularly evident in her work on WILLOW’s The Thread, an intimate live musical performance produced by Five Towers and associated with fashion brand Free People. As production designer, Figueroa Chávez translated the project’s creative direction into an immersive botanical environment, bringing together natural materials, floral compositions, and sculptural scenic elements. The project evolved significantly during its creative development. What ultimately emerged was an intimate live performance in which WILLOW would be surrounded by an immersive natural landscape, with nature becoming an active part of the experience.
“WILLOW has such a vibrant presence, both in her voice and the way she performs. I wanted to create an environment that could embrace that energy. A space where she could feel completely immersed, where the surroundings felt as expressive as the music itself.”
Her design incorporated carefully selected trees, botanical elements, floral installations, and organic textures, including a willow tree. Every element was considered in relation to WILLOW’s presence, the music, the performance space, and the camera, creating a visual composition that balanced intimacy with the richness of the surrounding environment.
One of Figueroa Chávez’s most significant creative decisions was to incorporate living flowers and natural materials rather than relying exclusively on artificial scenic elements. The intention was to create an environment that felt genuinely inhabited, allowing natural textures, organic shapes, and subtle movement to contribute to the atmosphere. The result was a botanical setting that served as an extension of the music’s emotional expression.
For Figueroa Chávez, creative freedom is closely connected to preparation. She believes that the ability to adapt and improvise during production begins long before arriving on set.
“Preparation gives you the freedom to be spontaneous. The more thoroughly you understand your materials, your space, and your resources, the more confidently you can respond when something unexpected happens. Some of the most interesting creative decisions emerge in those moments.”
Beyond developing the creative concept, Figueroa Chávez coordinated with prop houses and scenic vendors, sourced materials, evaluated available resources, and oversaw the integration of individual design elements. The process required both artistic vision and practical problem solving as the team adapted the concept to the production space.
Her collaboration with Five Towers also extends to work on Mill, reflecting an ongoing professional relationship with the company across multiple productions. Beyond her collaborations in music and commercial productions, Figueroa Chávez has continued to explore surrealism through narrative cinema. Her work as Production Designer on En la Quietud de la Noche (In the Still of the Night) recently earned her the Best Set Design award at the Simi Valley Film Festival, recognizing her distinctive approach to cinematic environments and visual storytelling.
Her recent work also extends into editorial photography and sculptural scenic design. For a Día de Muertos photoshoot set in Mexico City’s Desierto de los Leones National Park, Figueroa Chávez developed a versatile monarch butterfly structure, conceived as a sculptural prop that could interact with the natural landscape and adapt to different photographic compositions. The project reflects her ongoing interest in Mexican cultural symbolism and the relationship between artistic intervention and the natural world.
Looking ahead, Figueroa Chávez is continuing her work in production design and scenic decoration for Amar y Vivir, a tequila brand developing the next chapter of its marketing campaign following the launch of its first Día de Muertos campaign. This collaboration builds on her experience in the spirits industry, including her previous work as Art Director on a Gran Coramino tequila campaign featuring Lori Harvey, for the brand co-founded by Kevin Hart.
Beyond the sets and productions, Figueroa Chávez continues to find inspiration in the pages of her books, the places she travels, and the creative exchanges that emerge through her work. Drawn to collaborations with people who share a genuine passion for their craft, she sees each encounter as an opportunity to discover new perspectives and expand her artistic vocabulary.
For Figueroa Chávez, creativity is an ongoing practice of curiosity, observation, and connection, one that continues to evolve with every story, every place, and every person she crosses paths with.
Want to know more? Follow Andrea on Instagram @creativeactbyandrea or check out her projects on IMDb.
