Chris Udomi did not set out to become a production designer, but the path has since defined his career in Nollywood. From early work as an art intern on Up North to designing for films including Red Circle, Breath of Life, A Lagos Love Story and Day of Destiny, he has become part of a new generation shaping the visual texture of Nigerian films.
In this interview with The Nollywood Reporter, Udomi reflects on his entry into the industry, his design philosophy, and how film set principles can translate into everyday living spaces.
His introduction to filmmaking came during his National Youth Service Corps posting in Bauchi State.
“I was fortunate to meet people like Kelvin Udofia and Franklyn Iheanchor, who got me onto the set of Up North as an art intern,” he says. “From there I moved to Lagos and continued working across projects.”
He credits several collaborators and mentors across the industry for shaping his approach to production design.
Over time, Udomi has built a portfolio that includes both film and commercial work, earning nominations at the 2022 Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards for Day of Destiny and the 2025 Africa Movie Academy Awards for Red Circle.
For him, production design is less about decoration and more about storytelling.
“On set, I use colour and culturally rooted materials to communicate identity, status and mood without words,” he explains. “I try to balance modern aesthetics with cultural references so spaces feel contemporary but familiar.”
He points to his work on Red Circle as an example of how environment shapes character and tone. The goal, he says, is to create spaces that feel believable while still slightly aspirational.
“Sometimes what is real isn’t right for the camera,” he notes. “You have to research what exists and then imagine how it could be better.”
That same thinking extends beyond film sets into his views on Nigerian home interiors. Udomi believes many contemporary homes have become overly minimal and monochromatic.
“I think we need to be more colourful with our spaces,” he says. “We’re a vibrant people, but many homes now are just white and grey. There’s less character and distinction.”
He suggests that simple elements — art, photographs, plants and practical lighting — can make spaces feel more lived-in.
“Lamps, for instance, help create warmth on screen, but people rarely use them at home,” he says. “Plants also help spaces feel more breathable and alive.”
While he acknowledges the popularity of minimalism, he finds it limiting.
“Minimalism can feel a bit soulless,” he says. “Homes used to have more character. They were orderly but still personal.”
Among his recent projects, Udomi highlights Red Circle and the upcoming musical Evi as particularly memorable experiences, partly because of long-standing creative collaborations behind the scenes.
Looking ahead, he expects several projects from the past year to reach cinemas soon, though some remain unannounced. For now, he continues to balance film work with his design studio, Asaco Designs, while exploring new visual directions for Nollywood sets and interiors.
For Udomi, whether designing for screen or real life, the goal remains the same: spaces that reflect people, culture and emotion.
