Graphic designer Patrick Clair has picked up a gong for Outstanding Main Title Design for his work on the haunting opening credits of HBO drama True Detective.

And Deborah Riley has picked up a statuette for Outstanding Art Direction on a Contemporary or Fantasy Series for her work on cult HBO series Game of Thrones.

Clair studied at St Joseph's Gregory Terrace and QUT before going on to the Australian Film, Television and Radio School.

He did design work on Australian shows including Hungry Beast before moving to the Californian office of Sydney-based studio Antibody, where he is a creative director.

Brisbane-based motion design and animation company Breeder worked with Clair on the atmospheric True Detective opening title sequence, which features images of stars Woody Harrelson and Matthew McConaughey alongside torn landscapes and religious imagery.

Riley went to St John Fisher on Brisbane's northside and got a degree in architecture before moving to Sydney to study production design at the National Institute of Dramatic Art.

She worked on the Sydney Olympics closing ceremony and films including Moulin Rouge! and Jindabyne before moving overseas.

Riley took over as head designer on Game of Thrones ahead of Season 4. She is based in Belfast, overseeing a team of more than 200 now working on Season 5.

Riley took her Brisbane-based mum Susan as her date.

The Creative Arts Emmys recognise those behind-the-scenes of television production, as well as some minor performing categories.

Alison Jenney won Best Guest Actress for her role in Masters of Sex, while Joe Morton was Best Guest Actor in a Drama Series for Scandal.

Harry Shearer won Best Voiceover Artist for The Simpsons, where he plays a range of characters including Monty Burns, Smithers and Reverend Lovejoy.

The Primetime Emmys, which recognise the popular shows and favourite actors, will be held on August 25, with Seth Meyers as host.