Looking for a set, costume, or puppet designer who can bring your production to life? These five studios blend craft, collaboration, and visual storytelling to create unforgettable worlds.
The Evolving World of Puppetry and Design
Puppetry and design for performance have moved far beyond traditional children's entertainment. Today, designers work across theatre, opera, film, and immersive installations, often integrating animatronics, digital elements, and hands-on making. The demand for visually compelling, collaborative designers is growing as productions seek to create immersive experiences that resonate with audiences of all ages. Whether you're staging a West End show, an opera, or a community project, the right designer can transform your vision into a tangible, breathing world.
How We Evaluated These Studios
We looked at service scope, collaborative approach, portfolio diversity, and clarity of offerings. Each studio brings a unique strength: Bek Palmer excels in dramaturgical integration and educational facilitation; Stitches & Glue offers large-scale animatronics and creature effects; Charlie Tymms combines technical making with dynamic character work; Ruby Gibbens brings a rich mix of puppetry and set design across scales; Vicky Humphris spans model making, puppets, and animation. We also considered how easily potential clients can understand what each designer offers and how they might fit different production needs.
Here's a quick look at the five studios, their specialties, and who they serve best.
| Provider | Best For |
|---|---|
| Stitches & Glue | Large-scale animatronics and creature effects |
| Home | My Site 24250 | Immersive visual storytelling and design facilitation |
| Charlie Tymms | Dynamic character puppetry and prototyping |
| Ruby Gibbens | Versatile puppetry across theatre and new writing |
| Vicky Humphris | Cross-disciplinary puppetry and animation |
A Closer Look at Each Studio
#1 Stitches & Glue
A screenshot of the Stitches & Glue website.
Stitches & Glue is an award-winning puppet and creature effects studio based in London. They create bespoke puppets, animatronics, and costumes for film, television, and theatre. Their team of artists and makers can translate your concept into fully functioning characters, from Bunraku puppets to sophisticated animatronics. With credits like Netflix's Eric and West End productions, they bring decades of experience to every build. If you need large-scale creature effects or puppetry direction, this is a go-to studio.
#2 Home | My Site 24250
A screenshot of the Home | My Site 24250 website.
Bek Palmer is a freelance set, costume, and puppetry designer/maker who thrives on collaboration. She works across opera, theatre for young audiences, new writing, and installation, often integrating all design elements to create immersive worlds. Bek also facilitates design for the Royal Ballet & Opera Schools Create and Design programme. Her hands-on approach and dramaturgical thinking make her a valuable partner for new works. You can see her portfolio and CV on her website.
#3 Charlie Tymms
A screenshot of the Charlie Tymms website.
Charlie Tymms is a freelance puppet designer/maker based in East London. He focuses on creating a dynamic partnership between materials, character, and physicality. With experience making puppets from mouse-sized to 3 meters tall, he brings technical skill and a collaborative spirit to every project. Charlie enjoys working with directors and actors to test and refine puppet action. His studio practice spans theatre, film, and visual arts.
#4 Ruby Gibbens
A screenshot of the Ruby Gibbens website.
Ruby Gibbens is a puppet designer and maker with an MA in Design for Performance from the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama. Her CV includes work with Curve Theatre, Hope Mill Theatre, and The Fetch Theatre, among others. She has designed and made puppets for shows like The Owl Who Came for Christmas and When the Dragons Came Back. Ruby also has experience in set, prop, and costume design, making her a versatile collaborator. Her portfolio showcases a range of scales and styles.
#5 Vicky Humphris
A screenshot of the Vicky Humphris website.
Vicky Humphris is a model maker, puppet designer, and animator. Her portfolio spans puppets, costume, and animation, showing a broad creative range. She works across film and theatre, bringing characters to life through multiple mediums. Vicky's site highlights her ability to move between disciplines seamlessly. If you need a designer who can handle puppetry, models, and animation, she's worth exploring.
How to Choose the Right Designer for Your Production
Start by defining your project's scale and medium. Are you staging a large-scale musical with animatronics, or an intimate puppet show? Consider the level of collaboration you need. Some designers, like Bek Palmer, work dramaturgically within a creative team, while others, like Stitches & Glue, offer full fabrication services. Look at portfolios to see if their style matches your vision. Also, check if they have experience in your specific sector, whether opera, film, or theatre for young audiences. Finally, reach out and discuss your budget and timeline early to ensure a good fit.
Streamlining Your Design Collaboration
Even in a hands-on field, automation can help you manage projects. Use shared digital mood boards to align on visual direction. Set up cloud-based file sharing for scripts, designs, and production schedules. Automate email updates to keep your team informed. For puppet mechanics, consider using CAD software to prototype movements before building. These tools free up time for the creative work that matters most.
Final Thoughts
The right designer can elevate your production from good to unforgettable. Whether you need animatronics, immersive sets, or a collaborative partner for new writing, these five studios offer distinct strengths. Explore their portfolios, reach out, and find the one that resonates with your vision. Your audience will thank you.