A devoted family man and natural collaborator, Dave Petry is known for creating sets where people feel welcomed, respected, and supported on and off camera.

Dave Petry is a Vancouver-based Production Designer with over 25 years of experience in film, television, and commercial production. Raised in Manitoba and shaped by a career built on craftsmanship and collaboration, Dave brings a rare balance of creative vision, practical execution, and human connection to every project he leads.

As a Production Designer, Dave is trusted for creating visually compelling environments that support story, performance, and camera while remaining grounded in the realities of commercial production. His work is known for its clarity, cohesion, and functionality under real-world constraints such as tight schedules and complex builds.

Dave’s extensive foundation in props and set construction informs his design process at every level. This depth allows him to anticipate challenges early, communicate clearly across departments, and design spaces that are efficient to build, adaptable on set, and cohesive under scrutiny.

He has designed for high-profile directors and  commercial campaigns across a wide range of styles. Dave collaborates closely with directors and agency creatives, translating concepts into fully realized worlds while maintaining momentum, clarity, and creative integrity throughout production.

Equally important to Dave’s approach is the culture he helps create on set. Known for his sharp wit and inclusive leadership style, Dave has a natural ability to put people at ease, particularly directors and crew arriving from out of town. His sense of humour helps diffuse pressure, build trust quickly, and keep energy high during long production days.

With a background in practical effects and hands-on fabrication, Dave brings technical fluency to his designs, often incorporating specialized techniques when projects call for it. This ensures ideas are not only ambitious, but achievable.

With a refined eye, decades of on-set experience, and a reputation for excellence, approachability, and inclusivity, Dave Petry is a Production Designer trusted to lead complex projects with confidence. He thrives in collaborative environments and is passionate about building worlds that feel intentional, authentic, and memorable on screen and behind the scenes.