In this episode of The Ajyal Show, we step into the multi-layered world of production design with long-term Qatar resident and art director Lauren McCarthy.

Lauren reflects on her journey from childhood curiosity—developing film with her brother—to leading the art departments of local productions that bridge cultures and cinematic craft. Initially drawn to photography, she later pivoted to art direction, where she found her true calling in problem-solving, world-building, and translating story into space.

From her breakout role at the Doha Tribeca Film Festival to her standout work on ‘Kashta’, Lauren shares how every prop, set, and surface is a chance to deepen narrative meaning. She opens up about the balancing act between budget constraints and creative ambition—recycling materials, making miracles happen with mood boards and borrowed furniture, and rallying crews around a shared visual vision.

Lauren also draws a line between commercial precision and indie film freedom, and how both arenas challenge her to adapt quickly, communicate clearly, and design for the unexpected. She gives us a look into her workflow—from Keynote mockups to early experiments with AI—and explains why preparation, flexibility, and collaboration are at the heart of her practice.

This is an episode for anyone fascinated by the invisible hands that shape a story’s look and feel. It’s a conversation about trust, texture, and the power of design to turn a script into a lived-in world.

To learn more about Doha Film Institute's initiatives, workshops and funding that help support Qatar’s filmmaking community, visit our website here.