Despite working on Star Wars since The Phantom Menace, Lucasfilm design director Doug Chiang says "only George [Lucas] truly knows what Star Wars design is... I don’t always get it 100 per cent right”

1. Entertainment
2. Movies
3. Sci-Fi Movies
4. Star Wars Movies
5. Star Wars

Despite working on Star Wars since The Phantom Menace, Lucasfilm design director Doug Chiang says "only George [Lucas] truly knows what Star Wars design is... I don’t always get it 100 per cent right” News By Bradley Russell published 28 November 2025

"Star Wars design is more sophisticated than it first appears"

Comments (0) ()

When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here’s how it works.

(Image credit: Lucasfilm)

Lucasfilm's executive design director Doug Chiang has spoken about his philosophy when it comes to designing all things Star Wars in a galaxy far, far away.

In conversation with Creative Bloq, Chiang, who described his role as "[overseeing] Star Wars design for our films, games, new media and theme parks" as well as passing on lessons learned from series creator George Lucas, said: "Star Wars design is more sophisticated than it first appears. On the surface, the designs may seem simple and obvious, and that’s intentional. But underneath lie layers of foundational guidelines that shape this cohesive universe."

Chiang admits, however, that anything authentically Star Wars comes from one man and one man only. He said, "In reality, only George truly knows what Star Wars design is. I do my best, but I don’t always get it 100 per cent right."

You may like

• Star Wars creator George Lucas says he's not thinking about managing the franchise since Disney took over: "Of course I've moved past it. I've got a life"
• Andor showrunner reveals Lucasfilm is developing "really unusual" Star Wars projects, and offers advice to new creators: "Let your freak flag fly"
• Mark Hamill says Jon Favreau and Dave Filoni are "speaking the same language that George [Lucas] did," in a way he "questioned in the sequels"

The executive design director has been with Lucasfilm on and off over a period of three decades, first beginning in 1995 and acting as the design director for both The Phantom Menace and Attack of the Clones.

Chiang returned to the Star Wars fold as a concept artist for The Force Awakens, before taking on a variety of roles across multiple projects, including next year's The Mandalorian and Grogu.

As for Lucas, he is currently working on the Lucas Museum of Narrative Art, scheduled to open in 2026.

Star Wars, though, doesn't exactly live rent-free in the mind of Lucas, having sold the franchise to Disney back in 2012.

Sign up for the Total Film Newsletter

Bringing all the latest movie news, features, and reviews to your inbox

Contact me with news and offers from other Future brandsReceive email from us on behalf of our trusted partners or sponsorsBy submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.

"Disney took it over and they gave it their vision. That’s what happens," Lucas told the Wall Street Journal last month. "Of course I've moved past it. I mean, I've got a life. I'm building a museum. A museum is harder than making movies."

For more on what's coming to a galaxy near you, check out our guide to upcoming Star Wars movies.

Bradley RussellSocial Links Navigation

I'm the Senior Entertainment Writer here at GamesRadar+, focusing on news, features, and interviews with some of the biggest names in film and TV. On-site, you'll find me marveling at Marvel and providing analysis and room temperature takes on the newest films, Star Wars and, of course, anime. Outside of GR, I love getting lost in a good 100-hour JRPG, Warzone, and kicking back on the (virtual) field with Football Manager. My work has also been featured in OPM, FourFourTwo, and Game Revolution.

You must confirm your public display name before commenting

Please logout and then login again, you will then be prompted to enter your display name.

Logout Read more Star Wars creator George Lucas says he's not thinking about managing the franchise since Disney took over: "Of course I've moved past it. I've got a life"    Andor showrunner reveals Lucasfilm is developing "really unusual" Star Wars projects, and offers advice to new creators: "Let your freak flag fly"    Mark Hamill says Jon Favreau and Dave Filoni are "speaking the same language that George [Lucas] did," in a way he "questioned in the sequels"    Star Wars: Starfighter director says the biggest inspiration for his film is Return of the Jedi: "I know the cool answer would be Empire"    Star Wars: Starfighter director Shawn Levy says he was "forced to come up with a new idea" for the film's third act and it's "so much better than the original idea would have been"    Deadpool and Wolverine director Shawn Levy says his "freedom" on his Star Wars movie Starfighter is "equal to any other movie [he's] made"    Latest in Star Wars Movies Star Wars: Starfighter director Shawn Levy says he was "forced to come up with a new idea" for the film's third act and it's "so much better than the original idea would have been"    A new Mandalorian and Grogu trailer is currently playing in theaters, and it shows off more of Zeb Orrelios and Baby Yoda destroying a droid    Star Wars: Starfighter director says the biggest inspiration for his film is Return of the Jedi: "I know the cool answer would be Empire"    Anakin Skywalker actor Hayden Christensen says Rogue One "captured the essence of what Star Wars is meant to be" and he loves "how they portrayed Darth Vader"    Deadpool and Wolverine director Shawn Levy says his "freedom" on his Star Wars movie Starfighter is "equal to any other movie [he's] made"    Jon Favreau confirms he was "planning on doing" The Mandalorian season 4 before The Mandalorian and Grogu moved forward    Latest in News Superman scene-stealer Skyler Gisondo has joined the cast of Shrek 5 as one of the "brogres"    Assassin's Creed Shadows lead says microtransactions pay for free updates: "It allows us to do the Isu stuff, the quest stuff, the parkour updates"    Stranger Things fans have noticed that Steve and Will didn't interact until season 5: "Acting like coworkers on different shifts"    Palworld publisher vows to "keep leveraging" the success of the survival game to "help cool people make cool games," like this fantasy looter-shooter made by a small team    Despite working on Star Wars since The Phantom Menace, Lucasfilm design director Doug Chiang says "only George [Lucas] truly knows what Star Wars design is... I don’t always get it 100 per cent right”    With The Game Awards weeks away, new Remedy trademark for what could be Control 2 surfaces    GAME REVIEWSMOVIE REVIEWSTV REVIEWS

1. 1Escape from Tarkov review: "An extraction shooter that will make you truly miserable if you let it, but can offer dizzying highs you won't find elsewhere"
2. 2Fans think this is the best strategy board game ever made, and I have to admit that they've got a point
3. 3Constance review: "If Hollow Knight: Silksong seems too daunting, this wonderful paint powered adventure should do nicely"
4. 4This enthralling team board game is perfect for playing with family this Thanksgiving
5. 5Kirby Air Riders review: "This racer is also equal parts fighting game, minigame collection, and roguelike – and I'm shocked at how well that works"

1. 1Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery review: "Brings Knives Out back to its roots for a sequel that's almost on a par with the original"
2. 2Wicked: For Good review: "Builds to an incredibly cathartic conclusion, but isn't quite as captivating as Part 1"
3. 3The Running Man review: "Some fun action and Glen Powell's star power aren't enough to energize this disappointing Stephen King adaptation"
4. 4Predator: Badlands review: "Die-hard fans may be disappointed, but as a blockbuster action-adventure, Badlands kills it"
5. 5Chainsaw Man – The Movie: Reze Arc review "Storytelling just as compelling as the chainsaws, devils, and visually excessive fight scenes"

1. 1Stranger Things season 5 volume 1 review: “Can the Duffer brothers stick the landing? It’s sure looking like they will”
2. 2Pluribus season 1 review: "Easily one of the year's best dramas"
3. 3The Witcher season 4 review: "The Henry Cavill-less fourth season is the best yet"
4. 4IT: Welcome to Derry review: "A supremely confident step back into the history of Stephen King's cursed town and killer clown"
5. 5Splinter Cell: Deathwatch review: "A pale imitation of the long-dormant stealth franchise"