Amanda Van Wyngaardt

I have 25 years’ experience in various media fields, of which 20 has been in the film industry – art directing, and the last 9 years production design and set design. Other experience includes graphic and web design, writing, magazine & stills styling and visual merchandising.

Reality shows are my niche and first love, but I also work on commercials and scripted TV/movies.

I love the challenge of creating awe inspiring and alluring visual solutions, no matter what the brief is. Playing with colour, texture, pattern, themes, rhythm and other elements to achieve interesting or visually pleasing spaces, whether big or small.

Soft skills: Problem-solving, creativity, visual & design skills, enthusiasm, ability to grasp the big picture, self-motivation, organised, integrity, friendliness, time management, leadership, teamwork, finding anything, whether a Javanese coin of 1860 or a NASA spacesuit.

Hard skills: project management, managing teams, budgets & workflow. 3D design (SketchUp), mood boards, high-level presentations, on top of décor trends, knowledge of construction techniques and materials.

Accolades:

• SAFTA Winner: Best Production Design - Tsha Tsha IV (AIDS educational drama, 2006)

• SAFTA nominee: Production Design - Lockdown (prison drama, 2019)

• SAFTA Judge 2020

• SAFTA Winner: Best International Format - My Kitchen Rules SA 2 (reality cooking show, 2019)

• National Film and TV Award Winner: Best Competition Show - Big Brother Mzansi 4 & 5 (reality show, 2023-2025)