Meet Paola Herrera Moya

Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Paola Herrera Moya. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Paola, thank you so much for joining us. You are such a positive person and it’s something we really admire and so we wanted to start by asking you where you think your optimism comes from?

My optimism derives from crucial factors that have shaped my life and my perspective on it. Working hard to fulfill what I have desired, including a master’s degree in production design, has been a source of pride and confidence in what I can achieve, giving me a positive attitude toward my present and future.
Moreover, my passion for my work has led me to do what I love creatively, allowing me to connect with myself. Consistency has been key, but my support network is the most important factor. My family, husband, roommates, and professors have given me the confidence never to stop believing in myself.

Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?

I am excited to share a bit about my journey. I recently earned my MFA in Production Design from the Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD). Before embarking on my MFA, I had the incredible experience of working on the Galápagos Islands as an executive designer for recognized hotels and expedition cruises.

One of the aspects I love most about my work is the ability to share my culture and Ecuadorian traditions through my designs. Bringing a piece of my heritage into my projects adds a personal and meaningful touch that resonates with me and my audience. I am expanding my skills by learning stop-motion fabrication, puppetry, and scale model creation. These new experiences open up exciting avenues for storytelling and creativity in my work. As a result of that, in my final project at SCAD, I did a production design for a stop-motion based on an Ecuadorian character and the most important festival of the Inca Empire inspired by Guillermo Del Toro: The Aya Uma and the Inti Raymi.

My most recent projects involved designing the interiors of restaurants and coffee shops in downtown Savannah. These spaces aim to provide not just a place to eat and drink but an immersive experience that reflects the character and charm of the area.

Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?

One of my most outstanding qualities is cultural appreciation and connection. Infusing my Ecuadorian heritage into my designs has been fantastic. It adds a unique touch to my work and helps me connect with others more professionally and humanly.
I emphasize creativity and perseverance the most. Learning new daily tools, such as SketchUp, V-Ray for 3D rendering, Photoshop, and Illustrator, and non-digital skills like plaster modeling, casting, foam carving, and painting, makes my projects more comprehensive and effective in communication.
I advise all creatives to maintain their essence and always strive to be their competition. Improve daily to surpass yourself. Let fear not hold you back but push you to keep learning. All our mistakes have led us to improve and learn.

Looking back over the past 12 months or so, what do you think has been your biggest area of improvement or growth?

Living in another country where another language is spoken has pushed me to improve my language skills. This has enhanced my communication and enriched my ability to express complex ideas and collaborate more effectively. Learning new tools has undoubtedly allowed me to create more detailed and realistic designs, leading me to design two actual spaces, not just conceptual ones. Besides my professional growth, my most incredible development area has been interacting with more students from different specialties, particularly those pursuing a BFA in Animation. I learned a lot from them about the world of stop motion, fabrication, animation, timing, and a new program called DragonFly. This interaction has broadened my perspective and enhanced my skills in areas I had not explored before.

Contact Info:

Image Credits

Production Design: Paola Herrera Moya
Fabrication: Paola Herrera Moya
Edition: Paola Herrera Moya

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