Rajarajeshwari Ragampudi
Rajeshwari Ragampudi is a Los Angeles–based production designer whose work bridges the worlds of architecture and cinematic storytelling. Originally trained as an architect in India, she built a strong foundation in design, construction, and spatial storytelling before discovering her passion for film production design. She recently earned her Master of Fine Arts in Production Design from the American Film Institute (AFI), where her intuitive and experimental approach to art and design has been central to her creative process. Rajeshwari’s work focuses on translating stories into physical spaces that support the director’s vision, blending meticulous research with imaginative visual storytelling.
Throughout her career, Rajeshwari has contributed to a variety of film projects, including her acclaimed master’s thesis film, Killer of Men, a historical piece exploring American slavery, and the grant-winning short film Love You By, supported by Color Creative. She has also been recognized as one of the four exhibitors representing AFI at the prestigious UCLA Design Showcase West 2025 and was selected to attend the Telluride Film Festival, where she participated in masterclasses and collaborated with industry professionals. Beyond her individual work, she participates in initiatives such as the Find Your People program, advocating for increased representation of women and people of color in production design and the broader film industry.
Rajeshwari’s creative vision is guided by a profound respect for cultural and historical context, a dedication to emotional truth, and a belief in the power of storytelling through design. Outside of her professional life, she enjoys hiking, yoga, cooking, and film, drawing inspiration from movies such as The Shining, The Skin I Live In, and Devi. Committed to pushing boundaries in production design, she continues to create immersive cinematic experiences that resonate deeply with audiences while mentoring and uplifting emerging creatives.
• B.Arch
• MFA Production Design
• The American Film Institute- M.F.A.
• Manipal Academy of Higher Education- B.Arch.
• Silver Oaks International Schools
What do you attribute your success to?
Very early on in artistic journey, I recognized the indispensable value of maintaining a strong work ethic coupled with a patient approach towards both my craft and personal development. I find great enthusiasm in tackling creative challenges, often emboldened to undertake ambitious projects that push the boundaries of my abilities. Stepping outside your comfort zone and the little box we draw for ourselves is very integral to achieving bigger things. That’s something my parents have induced in me since I was a child so I must attribute my success to them for everything they have taught me.
What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
My mentor and co-writer of my Architecture Thesis gave me my best career advice and set me on the path I am on today. The paper we wrote together was titled ‘Understanding the Filmic Portrayal of Elements in Space Through the Study of Satyajit Ray’s Films to Examine the Human Emotional Relationship with the Built Environment’. It was a very unusual and specific topic to pick for your thesis, for none of my teachers really had a background in film, nor did my mentor. But my mentor believed in my passion for cinema and the principles of architecture and he thought I was onto something. So the both of us took a leap of faith in pursuit of something unknown to us at that time. The thesis went on to become recognized in my school as one of the best. It was what got me into the number 1 film school in the world and what made me commit to my transition into film without having any prior film experience. His advice to me before I left was that consistency and belief are the two things I must never let go of in order to stay authentic and true to myself. That advice was so simple yet effective to me, I always remind myself of that, especially in times where things aren’t going my way because that’s when we really need it the most.
What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
Something that constantly inspires me is exposing myself to successful women - no matter how big or small. Be curious about their stories and learn the values that they inhabit to achieve their success. Everyone is different and has a different story but that’s the beauty of it - there’s no one steady path to getting what you want. It’s about staying true to yourself so find out what that means to you and surround yourself with an environment that uplifts you. Even if that takes some sacrifice, never compromise on what you truly believe is right for you.
What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
The past 2 years have been a deep dive into the demanding skill set required to be a Production Designer. It’s incredible to realize how much the Art Department manages, regardless of the project’s scale. This role is absolutely vital in bringing visual stories to life. One of the key lessons I’ve learnt quickly is that effective communication is the most important skill to master. Without clear communication, nothing can be accomplished, and while that may seem simple, it’s much harder than it appears—especially given the variety of people we work with every day in the industry, which is probably one of most biggest challenges of this field. The tight budgets and timelines are also challenging to work with depending on what the project demands but for some reason so it's important to think smart and fast.
What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
My biggest area of growth has been learning to connect deeply with myself, which enables me to communicate clearly and respectfully with those around me. This, in turn, has helped me collaborate more effectively and bring stories to life. Clear-communication and self-acceptance are two values that are most important to me in both my work and personal life because they bring you success as a person. You can be in harmony with your environment regardless of the circumstance if you really uplift these two values in life.