Worlds That Feel Real. Stories That Stay With You.
Expert Art Direction & Worldbuilding for Film, TV, and Games.
kick off your project now
You’ve built a great story, but without strong art direction, your world might not feel real. If the visuals don’t align, audiences won’t connect—and if your project doesn’t stand out, it risks being overlooked.
A generic or forgettable design won’t leave a lasting impression.
Your Project Blends Into the Background
Without strong art direction, the details don’t click, and something just feels off.
If your world doesn’t feel real, viewers won’t lose themselves in the story.
A fully realized world pulls people in. Let’s build one they’ll never want to leave.
Your World Feels Unfinished
Your Audience Isn’t Transported
Here is how I help you.
01
A World That Feels Real
Characters in expressive costumes, immersive environments, creatures, monsters, and props that tell their own stories—every element is designed to feel lived in, cinematic, and believable.
04
A Seamless Creative Process
Clear direction and collaboration to keep your vision on track and production-ready.
05
A World That Sells
Visually compelling worldbuilding that attracts studios, producers, and audiences.
02
A Cohesive Visual Identity
A distinct, consistent look that reinforces your story’s tone and genre.
03
A First Impression That Sticks
Striking concept art and design choices that grab attention instantly.
Get started on world building now
about ME
AJ Hanneld
My clients
I’m a film encyclopedia wrapped in a graphic designer’s toolkit.
My Film Studies education gives me a deep understanding of storytelling, while my Graphic Design degree ensures your visuals are not only beautiful but also strategic and cohesive.
Add in my background in race/class/gender studies, and you’ll get a pitch deck that doesn’t just look good—it’s smart, culturally nuanced, and built to resonate.
Le Guin, Jim Henson, Gentileschi, George Lucas—these are just a few of the legendary names that spring to mind when I think of the remarkable talents of AJ Hanneld. She has the unique ability to take any story, idea, script, or babbled nonsense, and transform it into something immediately captivating and resonant. A Creative Director for the ages, and a genuinely wonderful person, to boot. 100% would recommend.
—Vince Raisa
Head of Development and Production for Brian Henson at The Jim Henson Company. Producer of Earth to Ned (2020), The Curious Creations of Christine McConnell (2018), and Jim Henson’s Creature Shop Challenge (2014).
AJ Hanneld is more than a graphic artist—she’s a storyteller. Her work on my pitch decks brought complex ideas to life with clarity and style, and her title design for The End is Nye set the perfect tone for the series. She has an uncanny ability to translate concepts into striking visuals that not only look great but also enhance the narrative. Whether it’s shaping a project’s identity or creating cinematic moments, AJ’s talent is unmatched.
—Brannon Braga
Writer/Producer of Star Trek: The Next Generation, Star Trek: Voyager, and Star Trek: Enterprise. Co-writer of Star Trek: First Contact. Creator/Showrunner of Terra Nova and Salem. Executive Producer of The Orville and Cosmos: A Spacetime Odyssey.
Do people still say, "knocked my socks off?" Because AJ knocks my socks off. She consistently delivers a treasure chest of riches—overflowing with vision, precision, and an innate understanding of storytelling that elevates everything around it. Her ability to translate ideas into stunning, resonant visuals is second to none. If you’re looking for someone to bring your world to life, you’re looking for AJ.
—Salim Akil
Writer/Director of Sparkle and Jumping the Broom. Creator/Showrunner of Black Lightning and The Game.
Executive Producer of Being Mary Jane.
One of the challenges of presenting creative ideas in the marketplace—and my shows have ranged from techno-punk action, to historical dramas, to gritty world-spanning conspiracy thrillers, with a whimsical utopian sci-fi in the mix—is to create an engaging feel, an environment in which your partners can understand your clear vision, but can build on with their own thoughts. AJ has improved every project we've worked on together, often defining the show with her design in a way the writers had not arrived at with words alone. She's collaborative, listens, doesn't just execute notes but improves on them. She's my go-to partner for any project I take out in the current mad, international market.
—John Rogers
Screenwriter of Transformers. Creator/Showrunner of Leverage,The Librarians, The Player, and Jackie Chan Adventures.
AJ has been my secret weapon since 2019 on over 30 projects. She’s someone I trust to elevate creative, solve problems before they happen, and consistently deliver exceptional work. When I left NBCUniversal for Anonymous Content, I didn’t hesitate to bring her with me. She’s that rare mix of strategic and inventive, pragmatic and boundary-pushing. If you get the chance to work with her, take it.
—Jessica Grimshaw
EVP of Unscripted Films, Television, and Podcasts at Anonymous Content. NBCUniversal alum.
AJ's creativity, vision, execution and collaborative process are unmatched. I've worked with her on a variety of projects over the years and she's always my first call. Not only is she incredibly talented and dependable, but she is truly one of the loveliest humans I know. She always goes above and beyond and has seen all of our projects through with the same focus and care as if they were her own personal passion projects.
—Amanda McPhillips
Producer and Premium Content Development Executive. NBCUniversal alum.
01
How It Works
We define the tone, style, and core design elements.
Worldbuilding & Aesthetic Direction
02
Concept Development
I work with top artists to design characters, creatures, environments, vehicles, weapons, and more"
03
Final Refinements & Execution
Your world is fully visualized and ready for production.
ART DIRECTION PACKAGE
Everything you need to create a visually and immersive world.
Project scope and pricing tailored to your needs.
Art direction and worldbuilding services are customized based on the scope, timeline, and complexity of your project.
Let’s discuss your needs and create a plan that brings your vision to life.
Frequently asked questions
What does an art director do for worldbuilding?
I oversee the entire visual development—ensuring consistency across characters, environments, props, and more—so your world feels immersive and believable.
Do you provide concept art yourself?
I lead the creative direction and collaborate with top-tier concept artists to develop detailed, production-ready visuals.
Can you adapt to an existing visual style?
Yes! Whether you need a fresh, original look or want to match an established aesthetic, I ensure seamless integration with your project’s vision.
How do we get started?
We’ll discuss your project’s scope, tone, and creative needs, then develop a plan to bring your world to life.
