CHENAI, the Creative Conductor

My name is CHENAI
I'm a freelance Art Director & Set Designer based in Toronto

What do you do?

I'm a freelance Art Director & Set Designer based in Toronto, I was previously based in London. I work on music videos, fashion shoots, commercials, and more recently, spatial design—basically, anything that needs a creative, visually striking setup! I love collaborating with artists, directors, and brands to bring their ideas to life.

Your work spans both Toronto and London. How do these diverse cultural environments influence your approach to set and art direction?

I get influenced very quickly by whatever environment I’m in. The coolest thing about Toronto and London is that they are incredibly diverse but also move at very different paces. London has a fast-paced, almost constant energy that pushes you to be quick and reactive, while Toronto has a more relaxed vibe, which has opened my eyes to where I want my work to take me. I’ve been working on many more spatial design projects, especially for art exhibitions and installations, which have introduced me to a whole new way of designing a space. I’m meeting many talented designers and production designers, and I’m learning a lot about approaching set and spatial design with fresh perspectives and new techniques.

What is one set or project you dream of bringing to life, and why would it feel like a defining moment in your career?

There’s so many ideas and projects thatI’ve not had the chance to execute (yet) but something I really want to work towards is stage design. It would be amazing to collaborate with a team where every detail is thought about right to the last second—from the lighting to the textures and all the technical elements. I’m really big on collaboration, so the idea of working closely with different creatives to bring a live performance to life feels so exciting. I’ve spent so much time working on projects behind the screen, so getting to design something that’s happening live and in the moment would be such a defining experience for me.

In your collaborations, such as with artist ENNY, how do you balance your creative vision with the artist's message and identity?

Working with artists like ENNY, who I already admire, makes the process exciting and natural. Her distinct style resonated with me, so our visions aligned easily. Balancing my creative vision with the artist's message is about blending their inspirations with my ideas while staying open to their perspective—even if it’s as simple as “because it looks cool.” It’s all about creating something that feels authentic to them.

As a set and art director, how do you perceive life and translate those perspectives into visual narratives that resonate with your audience?

I’m big on experiencing things firsthand—whether it’s a random club night somewhere, an exhibition I saw back in 2016, or something else entirely. For me, it’s about pulling from real-life moments, spaces, and emotions to create something that feels authentic. It’s like the visual version of ‘writing about what you know’—the more personal and genuine the inspiration, the more it resonates with the audience.

What do you want your audience to feel or understand about you when they engage with your work and the visuals you create?

The more projects I work on, the more I realise I want to develop a signature style. My main focus is creating visuals that are striking—whether it’s through bold colours, textures, or unexpected elements. Something that catches your eye even if it doesn’t have an obvious meaning at first, and could be featured on other mood boards.