Alien: Earth explores the technological universe of the Alien franchise, focusing on the design of ships, androids, and tablets inspired by late '70s visions of the future, notably Sony’s Watchman, to create a nostalgic yet fresh sci-fi aesthetic set two years before the original Alien film.
Oscar-winning production designer Adam Stockhausen took inspiration from the neo-Western film "Bad Day at Black Rock" for the landscape of Wes Anderson's "Asteroid City." The town was built from scratch in the Spaghetti Western desert of Spain, with the main buildings consisting of a luncheonette, motel cabins, and a single-pump gas station. The pastel aesthetic was influenced by both the Eastman Color look of "Black Rock" and period photography. The film was shot in widescreen 35mm with forced perspective to enhance the illusion of a stage play.