DORA AND THE SEARCH FOR SOL DORADO
production designer
DIRECTOR
ALBERTO BELLI
TODD CHERNIAVSKY
ROLE
CONCEPT DESIGNER
dESIGNING THE WORLD OF SOL DORADO
As a conceptual designer, I supported the production designer in crafting an ancient world inspired by Inca culture. The goal was to balance historical authenticity with a bold, cinematic vision.
My work focused on worldbuilding through design—developing legendary locations, monumental architecture, and mysterious artifacts. Each element was created to feel mythical yet grounded, blending cultural heritage with the adventurous tone of the film.
Through sketches, digital paintings, and environment studies, I helped bring Dora’s world to life with visual depth and narrative purpose.
sHRINE OF sOL DORADO
The Shrine of Sol Dorado marks the final stage of the film’s journey—an ancient, sacred space designed to evoke a deep sense of wonder and mystery. This set was conceived as the resting place of the most precious artifact in the story, and its design needed to reflect the idea of magic, reverence, and discovery.
The creative process began with research into Inca culture and the conceptual foundations of the shrine. From there, I deconstructed the space to build a visual narrative through symbolic elements—integrating materials like gold and stone to create an interesting rhythm in shapes and forms. Every decision was made to enhance the emotional and mythic weight of the scene.
With the core of the world established, I focused on narrative detailing—embedding meaning into every corner of the space. Through the development of symbols and visual elements rooted in Inca culture, we shaped an environment where nature, myth, and cosmic forces could coexist. These details reinforced a sense of spiritual connection, transforming the shrine into more than a destination: it became a living, breathing embodiment of the film’s themes.
VINE CHAMBER
The Vine Chamber was conceived as a challenging, mystical space—a pivotal moment in the journey where nature transforms into a living, supernatural force. This environment was designed to test the protagonists, both physically and emotionally, heightening the tension as the natural world becomes animated and unpredictable.
The concept revolved around nature as a guardian—an active, mystical force where vines, roots, and organic structures responded almost instinctively to the characters’ presence. The goal was to blend beauty and danger, crafting a dynamic environment driven by movement and symbolism. Through fluid shapes, layered vegetation, and culturally inspired forms, we created a space that felt alive—blurring the line between landscape and creature, and amplifying the magical realism that defined the tone of the film.
One of the most intriguing aspects of this set was the creation of a unique visual language. Inspired by mathematical patterns and encrypted symbols, we designed an antique inscriptions that added an extra narrative layer to the space. These coded elements were integrated into the environment as part of the chamber’s logic—serving both as a visual puzzle and a storytelling device. This approach deepened the sense of mystery and intelligence behind the space, inviting the audience to decode its secrets along with the characters.
secret cave
This shot was specifically developed for the VFX team, with the goal of creating a space that felt alive, intelligent, and narratively charged. Building on the production designer’s core vision, I designed a series of visual solutions that translated the initial concept into a coherent symbolic language. Each section of the cave—whether inhabited by spiders or snakes—was shaped using cues from their natural ecosystems, allowing for clear visual identities rooted in rhythm, form, and texture.
Rather than portraying a literal cave, the design focused on visual storytelling, where every detail helped communicate tension, danger, and ancient meaning embedded within the space.
