Life & Work with Nicole Baroudi of Hollywood, Los Angeles

Today we’d like to introduce you to Nicole Baroudi.

Hi Nicole, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
My path into film really began with my roots as a multidisciplinary designer. I originally trained in Graphic Design, earning my Bachelor’s degree from Central Saint Martins in London, where I gravitated toward narrative-driven work. That love of storytelling naturally pushed me toward film, and before long I found myself wanting to bring those two passions together. I moved to Los Angeles to pursue Production Design more seriously and completed my MFA at the American Film Institute Conservatory. It was an incredible experience — I met collaborators who’ve become some of my closest friends, and it truly shaped the way I work today. Since then, I’ve designed several short films and contributed to many more across different roles in the art department. I’ve also worked as a graphic designer on five feature films, and I’m now a proud member of the Art Directors Guild, the British Film Designers Guild, and the Graphics Union UK.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Nothing in this industry is ever completely smooth sailing. I’ve been incredibly fortunate to work with amazing teams and to help tell some truly beautiful stories – and I’m grateful for every one of those experiences – but if I’m honest, most of my challenges have come from within. As someone relatively new to the industry, often surrounded by people with years more experience, I’ve definitely faced moments of imposter syndrome and self-doubt. It’s a strange mix of wanting to prove yourself and simultaneously feeling in awe of the talent around you. Over time, though, with each project, you start to trust that you’re exactly where you’re meant to be. The self-doubt fades, and you’re left with this overwhelming sense of gratitude that you get to collaborate with such gifted artists. I’ve come to see vulnerability as part of the job, as it keeps you curious and pushes you to grow, but I also know my value now. I trust my creative judgment, and I’m proud of the work I’ve built. With each new project, short film, feature, membership, it becomes clearer that I’m not here by accident. I’ve earned my place, and I’m excited to keep building on that foundation.

You also have to learn not to take rejection personally or let it define your worth. This industry is rife with rejection – everyone faces it, no matter how experienced they are. It can definitely be disheartening in the moment, but it’s so important to turn it into fuel. Every “no” just pushes you to keep going and keep searching for the right opportunities.

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
As a production designer, I’m responsible for shaping everything you see on screen — from the overall world of the film down to the smallest visual detail. I work closely with the director and cinematographer to make sure the sets, color palette, props, graphics, and decor all support the story we’re telling. It’s essentially about creating the environment the characters inhabit, and I lead the department that brings that world to life. So far, I’ve designed around a dozen short films across a range of genres, from comedy to sci-fi.

I also work as a graphic designer for film, which means I create the production graphics that appear within the story. Anything graphic-related — posters, signage, magazines, newspapers, storefronts, product labels, wallpaper, book covers, edited photos — all of that is designed specifically for the world of the film. It’s a really exciting niche in the art department because you end up creating things you’d never design in everyday life. I’ve worked on five feature films as graphic designer so far. I also think the combination of production design and graphic design is something that sets me apart. I’m proud to work in both disciplines, and I feel my background gives me a perspective that’s a little different from others in the industry. It also means I can create many of the graphics for my own projects, which is incredibly valuable — they play such an important role in world-building.

Projects I’ve worked on, as either a production designer or a graphic designer, have screened internationally at numerous reputable, Academy Award–qualifying, and BAFTA-qualifying festivals. One of the films I production designed, YOU & ME (& CHAZ & RODNEY), is currently on its festival run and has already played at AFI Fest, the San Jose International Short Film Festival, and the Aesthetica Short Film Festival in the UK, among others. It also won the Jury Award at the Coronado Island Film Festival. Several of the films I’ve done graphic design for have also gone on to win awards and find success on the global festival circuit.

What’s next?
I’m really excited to keep designing. I have a few short film projects coming up that I’m attached to, and some previously collaborator friends are beginning development on feature films that I can’t wait to dive into. With my guild memberships, I’m also looking forward to connecting with new productions and studios and taking on more graphic design work for larger motion pictures.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://nicolebaroudi.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nicolebaroudi/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicole-baroudi/