Profile
Production designer and artist based in Berlin. After studying physics and graphic design, Merlin Ortner trained in fine art at the Weißensee School of Art — a background that continues to inform an approach where spatial composition, material, and atmosphere are treated as expressive tools rather than decoration. He has been working as an art director and production designer across film and advertising since 2006.
Feature Film
Drive — The Pretenders
Director: Sergej Moya · Amazon Studios / Bavaria Fiction · Prague & Italy · Release: Autumn 2026
2025
Bloody Tennis
Director: Nikias Chryssos · Augenschein Filmproduktion · Gran Canaria & Germany · Release: Summer 2026
2024
Undine
Director: Christian Petzold · Schramm Film · Germany
2020
Narziss & Goldmund
Director: Stefan Ruzowitzky · Sony Pictures · Czech Republic & Austria
2020
Suspiria
Director: Luca Guadagnino · Amazon Studios / Sony Pictures · Italy & Germany
2018
The Young Karl Marx
Director: Raoul Peck · Vorfilm · Belgium & Germany
2017
Gold
Director: Thomas Arslan · Schramm Film · British Columbia, Canada
2013
Phoenix
Director: Christian Petzold · Schramm Film · Poland & Germany
2014
Barbara
Director: Christian Petzold · Schramm Film · Germany
2012
Commercial
Selected Campaigns
Chanel Bleu
Director: Kathryn Bigelow · DP: Craig Fraser · Psycho & Tempomedia
Vilsa × Siegfried & Joy
Director: Julia Mücke · Markenfilm
Chivas Regal Crystal × Charles Leclerc
Director: Julian Bogner · Race Team
Samsung AI × Friedrich Lichtenstein
Director: Micky Suelzer · Zauberberg Filmproduktion
Playmobil
Director: Gaute Hestehagen · E+P Films
ZDF Fernsehgarten
Director: Verena Solitz · StereoFilm
Wholey × Helene Fischer
Director: Sergej Moya · Tempomedia
Armani × Nicholas Hoult
Director: Fabien Constant · Tempomedia
LVM
Director: Lars Timmermann · E+P Filmproduktion
Fisher Investments
Director: Harald Zwarg · Markenfilm
Parship
Directors: KRONCK · 27 km
Siedl
Director: Jan Brockmann · 27 km
Enpal
Director: Sergej Moya · Doity Filmproduktion
Schwarzkopf
Director: Gordon von Steiner · E+P Filmproduktion
Vileda
Director: Annegret von Feiertag · Film Dudes
Aldi Gaming
Directors: Simon & Paul · Filmproduktion
Vanguard
Director: Claas Ortmann · Zauberberg Productions
Selected Clients
Construction & Home
OBI · Hagebaumarkt · Hornbach · Toom
Food & Beverage
Aldi · EDEKA · REWE · Kaufland · McDonald's · Burger King · L'Osteria · Lindt · Tchibo · Nutella · Red Bull · Vilsa · Fanta · Joko Schokolade · Teekanne
Fashion & Lifestyle
Chanel · Armani · Zalando · Deichmann · Schwarzkopf · Got2Be · Vileda · Tempo · Persil · Loctite Persil US
Automotive
Audi · BMW · Mercedes-Benz · Mercedes-Benz Trucks · Volkswagen · Opel
Technology & Other
Telekom · Samsung Flip · Xbox · Schleich · Indeed · Media Markt · Shell · Vattenfall · Vodafone · Union Investments · WWF · Schwarzwald
Music Video & Short Form
Music Videos
Deutschland
Rammstein · Director: Specter Berlin
2019
Herbert Grönemeyer
Music video
Early Directing
Education
2013
Weißensee School of Art, Berlin
Diploma, Fine Art — Class of Prof. Friederike Feldmann
2008–13
Weißensee School of Art, Berlin
Fine Art — Classes of Prof. Antje Majewski & Prof. Friederike Feldmann
2004–05
HTK Berlin
Graphic Design
2003–04
Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin
Physics
1998–01
Secondary School, Svendborg, Denmark
University-entrance diploma
Awards & Exhibitions
Awards
Allgäuer Art Prize, 2016
ARTiges Award, 2016
Moscow Photo Award — Honorable Mention
Exhibitions (Selection)
Solo & group exhibitions in Berlin, Leipzig, Salzburg, Miami, USA
Skills & Tools
Specialisation
Unreal Engine
Twinmotion
VR & AR Visualisation
Core Disciplines
Production Design
Art Direction
Spatial Composition
Set Design
3D Storytelling
Concept Design
AI-assisted Design
Fine Arts
Photography