For Jann Engel, the path from Texas Tech University to Hollywood was full of unexpected developments. Engel, who graduated with a bachelor’s degree from what is now known as the Huckabee College of Architecture at Texas Tech, recently reflected on her career ahead of receiving the 2026 Art Directors Guild’s Lifetime Achievement Award for Excellence in Set Design and Art Direction.
“It was a big surprise that nothing happened how I thought it would happen,” Engel said.
The award ceremony is scheduled for February 2026 at the InterContinental Los Angeles Downtown. “I think it is the highest honor one can receive from your peers,” she added. “So, it is still slowly sinking in, and I don’t think it has yet, but it’s a tremendous compliment when your peers recognize you.”
Tim Croshaw, chair of the set designers and model makers council, praised Engel’s contributions in a news release: “Jann Engel’s remarkable career has left an indelible mark on the art of visual storytelling. Her work on some of the most ambitious and visually compelling films of our time – ranging from award-winning dramas to epic blockbusters – reflects a rare blend of creativity, precision and leadership.”
Engel has worked as a set designer and art director on more than 80 movies over three decades. Her credits include “Memoirs of a Geisha,” “Legends of the Fall,” “Road to Perdition,” “The Big Short,” as well as several Marvel productions such as “The Avengers,” “Avengers: Infinity War” and “Avengers: Endgame.” She began her film career working as a junior set designer on Tim Burton’s “Batman Returns.”
“If you want to keep working, you have to hit your deadlines as a set designer,” Engel said. “That means getting drawings done in a timely fashion. When you’re working on a project like that, you have a supervisor coming through every day checking your progress, so having a lot of focus is actually paramount to doing a good job.”
Engel discovered her interest in set design while working alongside set designers during her role as an architectural consultant for Universal Studios Florida theme park projects. Facing layoffs at her landscape architecture firm at year-end, she reached out to contacts made during her recent work with Universal Studios and secured an interview—and ultimately new employment—based on their familiarity with her skills.
She attributes much of her professional discipline to lessons learned at Texas Tech University. The program covered diverse aspects within architecture and design fields. As she recalled: “The program at Texas Tech covered everything. I know there were other university programs that focused on a specific emphasis, but Texas Tech’s program was incredibly well-rounded. The classes and the professors were all outstanding.”
Her undergraduate experience also included exposure to urban planning, historic preservation studies, photography courses focused on classic films such as “Chinatown” and “The Conversation,” participation in campus musical groups like Goin’ Band from Raiderland, serving as resident assistant in student housing complexes, and appreciation for campus architecture.
After graduation, Engel worked with former professor John White documenting Scotty’s Castle in Death Valley for the Historic American Building Survey (HABS), which provided valuable field experience relevant later when recreating sets such as the White House foyer for “Mars Attacks!”
As streaming platforms like Netflix expand opportunities beyond traditional cinema releases, Engel continues adding television limited series credits to her portfolio.
Croshaw noted further: “Jann’s contributions have helped shape the language of contemporary cinema, while her mentorship, service and dedication to sustainability continue to elevate our community… It is a true honor to recognize her with the Art Directors Guild’s Lifetime Achievement Award.”
Among projects holding personal significance for Engel was Clint Eastwood’s “Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil,” where she collaborated with Oscar-winning production designer Henry Bumstead.
“I had the chance to learn from some really talented people… knowing your skill set…and not strong at as a set designer…is really important,” she said. “It’s also important that you know how to be collaborative because this is a collaborative industry.”
Despite being honored for lifetime achievement by peers within her profession—a recognition rarely achieved—Engel says retirement isn’t imminent.
“I don’t think you ever retire from anything you love,” she said.
When starting out in film production roles years ago—as screen credit policies often excluded certain positions—seeing her own name appear among movie credits marked another milestone:
“The first time I saw my name in the credits, it was very exciting,” she said. “I always stay at the end of movies to see all the credits.”
