Conversations with Lais Da Silva Sabino

Today we’d like to introduce you to Lais Da Silva Sabino.

Lais, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I’m originally from a small town in the countryside of São Paulo, Brazil, and I come from a family of non-creatives, so growing up, a career in the arts never felt like the most obvious path. But when I discovered production design, something immediately clicked. I fell in love with the idea that you could tell a story without words; that a space, a color, a texture, or a single object could say something about a character and the world they live in.

Back home, production design wasn’t something I could pursue as a dedicated degree, but I knew it was what I wanted to do. That dream eventually brought me across the world to the U.S. and to the Savannah College of Art and Design.

Since then, I’ve had the opportunity to turn something that once felt very distant into something real. I’ve worked across production design, art direction, set decoration, and props, from student films to independent features, and every project has given me another chance to learn, take risks, and grow as an artist.

I’m now finishing my time at SCAD and stepping into the next chapter of my career. There’s still so much I want to learn and create, but I think that’s what I love most about this journey. Something that started as a dream in a small town in Brazil has taken me further than I could have imagined, and I feel like I’m only getting started.

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?
It definitely hasn’t been a smooth road. When I decided to move to the U.S., my English was very basic. I was leaving my family, my country, and everything that felt familiar to pursue a career I had no connections to and, honestly, no guarantee would work out.

In the beginning, one of the hardest things was knowing exactly what I wanted to say creatively but not always having the words to say it. Production design is incredibly collaborative, and there’s a big difference between knowing enough English to get through everyday life and being able to pitch an idea, defend a creative decision, negotiate, solve problems under pressure, and eventually lead a team in another language. I had to learn both at the same time.

There were definitely moments when I questioned whether I had taken on more than I could handle, but going back was never really the plan. I had come too far for that. So I kept putting myself in rooms where I was uncomfortable, kept taking on projects that scared me a little, and kept learning.

I think that changed the way I approach everything now. I’m much less afraid of not knowing how to do something, because so much of my journey started with not knowing. I’ve learned that I can figure things out. And the things that once made me feel different- my accent, my background, where I come from – are now some of the things I’m proudest to bring into my work.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I always say that I’m an artist first and a designer second. Making art has been a passion of mine for as long as I can remember, and before moving to the U.S., I participated in several exhibitions and art shows back in Brazil. Today, that creative energy has found its home in production design. It became the way I could combine my love for art with my love for storytelling.

My work is very rooted in world-building. I love taking something that exists on a page and figuring out how to make it feel lived-in and emotionally real. I’m interested in color, texture, composition, architecture, objects, and especially the small details that can quietly tell you something about a character without needing dialogue.

I’ve had the opportunity to work on short films and features in several roles within the art department, including production design, art direction, set decoration, and props. I’ve also worked across documentaries, commercials, and photoshoots, including work for brands like Coca-Cola. Having experience in different areas of the department has made me very hands-on and taught me to see both the big creative vision and the smallest details that bring it to life.

The project I’m most proud of so far is *Into the Blue*, a short film directed by Laura Jameson about Hazel Raines, Georgia’s first female licensed pilot. Being able to help visually tell the story of a real woman who challenged what was expected of her felt especially meaningful to me. It reminded me that production design can do more than create beautiful images.

I think what sets me apart is the perspective I bring as both an artist and a Brazilian building a creative life in the U.S., but I also never want my work to exist in a bubble. I’m eager to collaborate, to listen, and to learn from the people around me. Film is such a collaborative art form, and some of my favorite ideas have come from conversations and from seeing what happens when different creative perspectives meet. At the end of the day, for me, it’s always about the people, the people we create with and the people we create for.

Before we let you go, we’ve got to ask if you have any advice for those who are just starting out?
I think one of the biggest things I’ve learned is that sometimes all it takes is a “yes.” Say yes to the opportunity you don’t feel completely ready for. Say yes to meeting new people, trying something you’ve never done before, and putting yourself in rooms where you might feel a little out of place.

If I had waited until I felt completely prepared to move countries, speak another language, work on my first film, or take on bigger creative responsibilities, I probably would still be waiting. So much of my journey has come from taking the risk first and figuring things out along the way.

I wish I had known earlier that you don’t need to have everything figured out before you begin. Be curious, work hard, be someone people want to work with, and don’t be afraid to ask questions. Especially in this industry, the people you meet and the relationships you build matter just as much as the work itself.

You never really know which “yes” is going to change the direction of your life. Sometimes you just have to take the risk and give yourself the chance to find out.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://sites.google.com/view/sabinolais/home
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/la.sabino_art/