Designing the Future: The Making of the USS Protostar for Star Trek: Prodigy

In December 2022, Star Trek: Prodigy won the Children’s and Family Emmy Award for Outstanding Individual Achievement in Animation, recognizing its exceptional production design.
NUEN STUDIO played a key role in crafting the USS Protostar, from its sleek exterior to its command bridge, warp drive, and landing gear. Working closely with Director Ben Hibon, we helped shape one of the series’ most iconic elements, including the innovative third nacelle warp system.
We’re proud to have contributed to the Emmy-winning success of Star Trek: Prodigy, bringing our expertise in futuristic concept art and world-building to the beloved Star Trek universe.

USS Protostar Design Overview

Collaboration with Director Ben Hibon
In 2019, Director Ben Hibon approached NUEN STUDIO and Art Director Gia Nguyen with an exciting opportunity—designing a key element for the next Star Trek series, PRODIGY. Little did we know, this idea would evolve into the creation of the USS Protostar, a new iconic starship in the Star Trek universe.

As long-time admirers of Ben Hibon’s work in Harry Potter, League of Legends, and other acclaimed animated projects, collaborating with him on our first Star Trek project was an absolute thrill. (More of his work can be seen here.)

Initially, our task was to design the command bridge of the USS Protostar. However, as the project progressed, Ben invited us to expand our role—helping to develop the ship’s entire design, from its overall structure and interior layout to detailed props and functional elements. This inside-out approach allowed us to craft a ship that seamlessly blends Star Trek’s legacy with a fresh, futuristic vision.

USS Protostar concept art by NUEN STUDIO — The very first sketches we worked on based on Ben’s idea!

USS Protostar Exterior Design Process

The USS Protostar design journey began with early conceptual exploration by John Eaves and Director Ben Hibon during the pre-production phase. However, as production progressed, the team quickly pivoted to develop a fresh design direction, working closely with NUEN STUDIO to shape the final look of this unique Star Trek prototype ship.

To kick off the design process, the team started with line drawings over early 3D blockouts, refining the ship’s form and proportions. The goal was to create a vessel that stood apart from traditional Starfleet ships—a sleek, compact, and highly agile prototype.

Art Director Gia Nguyen and Ben Hibon collaborated through multiple rounds of sketches and 3D blockouts, carefully balancing essential Star Trek design elements with a high-tech, futuristic aesthetic. Special attention was given to the Nacelles, a defining feature of any Trek starship, ensuring they not only maintained Starfleet’s signature design language but also enhanced the Protostar’s advanced, experimental nature.

early-sketch-uss-protostar-concept — Refined sketches once we picked the final form

Innovative Warp Drive Design

One of Ben Hibon’s most unique ideas for the USS Protostar was its groundbreaking warp drive system—a third nacelle that activates during hyper warp jumps, allowing the ship to reach unprecedented speeds. Initially referred to as simply the “third nacelle”, this feature was designed to set the Protostar apart from traditional Starfleet vessels, reinforcing its role as a highly advanced prototype.

Upon its reveal in the main title sequence, the Protostar Warp Drive immediately caught the attention of Star Trek enthusiasts, becoming one of the most talked-about elements of the show.

Final Warp Drive Design

The final design had to be visually striking from every angle, emphasizing both functionality and futuristic aesthetics. Through multiple iterations, we refined the form, lighting, and structural details, ensuring that the warp drive not only looked impressive but also aligned with the legacy of Star Trek’s technological innovation.

Landing Gear Design

During the design phase of the USS Protostar, we explored multiple landing gear options, ensuring the ship could adapt to various terrain conditions. Given the Protostar’s compact size and versatility, the final decision was to use a center landing gear system, providing a stable and efficient landing solution.

This approach allowed for greater flexibility, ensuring the ship could land securely on diverse planetary surfaces, from rocky landscapes to smoother docking stations. The centralized landing mechanism also reinforced the sleek and futuristic design of the Protostar, aligning with its role as an advanced Starfleet prototype.

The Moving Parts & Mechanical Design

To ensure the Protostar Warp Drive looked seamless and visually striking when activating, our team collaborated closely with the animation team to design the mechanical sequence.

The goal was to make the expanding nacelle components feel both functional and cinematic, maintaining a balance between realistic engineering principles and the futuristic aesthetic of Starfleet technology. Every moving part was carefully designed to enhance the sense of power and speed, ensuring that the warp activation sequence would be a highlight of the show.

Ramp & Door Design

Another key challenge was designing the ramp and entry door for the USS Protostar. This mechanism needed to be both functional and visually cohesive, seamlessly integrating with the ship’s sleek design while providing a practical main entrance.

We developed a bottom-opening ramp system that leads directly to the cargo bay, allowing for efficient boarding and cargo handling. The design had to accommodate various planetary surfaces, ensuring that crew members could embark and disembark smoothly in different environments.

Through multiple iterations, we refined the ramp’s opening sequence, focusing on mechanical precision and aesthetic appeal, making it a key visual moment whenever the ship lands.

Design Experiments & Innovations

One of the most exciting aspects of working with Ben Hibon was the creative freedom to experiment with new design ideas for the USS Protostar. Among these experiments, we explored the concept of a long trail of light emitted from the ship’s nacelles, adding a dynamic, futuristic effect to the ship’s motion.

This visual enhancement was successfully integrated into the final animation, giving the Protostar a distinct, high-energy signature that set it apart from other Starfleet ships. The effect not only reinforced the ship’s experimental nature but also became a standout feature that resonated with younger audiences—and, of course, the kids loved it!

The Small Details Matter!

In the final stage of the USS Protostar design process, we conducted a detailed line art pass over the final ship blockout to refine intricate design elements. This meticulous step ensured that every panel, surface detail, and mechanical component was clearly defined before being handed over to the look development and texturing team for the final ship model.

By carefully refining these small yet crucial details, we helped create a ship that not only looks visually stunning but also feels authentic and functional within the Star Trek universe.

Concept art of the USS Protostar for Star Trek: Prodigy, designed by NUEN STUDIO — USS Protostar concept art by NUEN STUDIO

Final look dev:

THE RESULT The ship in action beautifully done by the animation team

Interior Design & USS Protostar Command Bridge

The USS Protostar’s interior was designed to balance functionality and futuristic aesthetics, featuring an open-layout concept where the warp drive engine components run visibly throughout the mid and lower decks, while the upper decks remain sleek and uncluttered, providing a clean, high-tech environment for the captain and crew.

Our work began with the Command Bridge, which was the first assignment given to us by Director Ben Hibon, even before developing the ship’s exterior. This core design element played a crucial role in establishing the overall mood and tone for the entire ship, influencing everything from the lighting and materials to the spatial flow of the interior.

Through multiple iterations, we ensured that the bridge retained classic Starfleet influences while embracing modern advancements, reinforcing the Protostar’s identity as a next-generation experimental starship.

The Command Bridge

The Command Bridge is one of the most iconic elements of any Star Trek starship, often serving as the centerpiece for key scenes in the series. For the USS Protostar, we aimed to create a bridge that felt both futuristic and functional, blending classic Starfleet aesthetics with a sleek, modern design.

To establish the core visual language, Gia Nguyen created a line drawing overlay on the 3D blockout, providing Director Ben Hibon with a clear vision of the flowing lines, spatial composition, and structural shapes. This initial sketch also emphasized the command chair’s position, ensuring a strong focal point that anchors the bridge’s design.

Through collaborative refinement, we fine-tuned the ergonomics, layout, and lighting, ensuring that the Protostar’s bridge not only looked stunning but also enhanced the storytelling in Star Trek: Prodigy.

Exploring Lighting & Atmosphere

Once the 3D blockout was completed, we experimented with lighting tests to bring the Command Bridge to life. One key focus was showcasing how the panoramic glass viewscreen would look in action under various lighting conditions, reflecting the vibrant colors of space outside.

These tests allowed us to refine the mood, ambiance, and immersive quality of the bridge, ensuring that it enhanced storytelling while staying true to the cinematic vision of Star Trek: Prodigy.

Captain's Chair Design

Designing the Captain’s Chair was a crucial part of the USS Protostar’s Command Bridge, as it serves as the focal point of the set. Given its importance in Star Trek lore, Ben Hibon wanted to ensure that every detail felt iconic and purposeful.

We explored multiple sketches and iterations, refining the form, proportions, and ergonomics to strike the perfect balance between authority and comfort. Once the final design was approved, we also provided a detailed 3D model, allowing for a seamless transition into production and speeding up the final asset development process.

Screenshot from the show

FINAL BRIDGE DESIGN we designed the whole bridge to the smallest props!

The final bridge in action! Again beautifully done by the animation team!

Additional USS Protostar Interior Designs

Beyond the Command Bridge and Captain’s Chair, our team also contributed to various other design elements for the USS Protostar, ensuring a cohesive and visually stunning final ship.

These designs included:

Detailed interior elements to enhance the futuristic feel of the ship.
Structural refinements to balance aesthetics and functionality.
Prop and equipment designs that seamlessly fit within the Star Trek universe.

Each design was meticulously crafted to align with the Protostar’s unique identity as a cutting-edge Starfleet prototype, blending classic Trek influences with modern innovation.

THE CARGO BAY