3 ways to create a space that moves you, from a Broadway set designer | David Korins

Summary

In this inspiring talk, a designer and creative director shares his process for creating 'revelations of space,' which involves therapy to understand emotions, design to craft a plan, and execution to bring it to life. He illustrates his points with examples from Broadway shows like 'Hamilton' and 'Dear Evan Hansen,' emphasizing the transformative power of design in our everyday lives. The speaker encourages everyone to be the set designer of their world, using color theory and challenging architectural norms to create spaces that reflect and enhance their identity.

Takeaways

• 🎨 The speaker emphasizes the transformative power of design in creating 'revelations of space', which can profoundly impact how we perceive and interact with our environment.
• ⏱ The script uses the metaphor of a standardized test to illustrate the oppressive and confining nature of certain spaces, and the liberating feeling of breaking free into an open, unbounded space.
• 👥 The process of design is broken down into three steps: therapy (understanding emotions and motivations), design (creating a plan), and execution (bringing the plan to life).
• 🎭 The importance of understanding the 'why' behind a project is highlighted, as it guides the emotional and aesthetic direction of the design.
• 🎨 The speaker uses the example of 'Dear Evan Hansen' to demonstrate how color can be used to evoke specific emotions and set the tone for a theatrical production.
• 🏠 Architectural standards are discussed as a means of ensuring safety and consistency, but also as something that can be tweaked to reveal more about ourselves and our personalities.
• 🤹‍♂️ The speaker shares anecdotes from designing sets for various productions, including 'Hamilton' and 'Pee-Wee Herman', to illustrate how design can enhance storytelling and character development.
• 🌌 A personal anecdote about Kanye West's evolving stage designs is used to show how space can reflect and amplify an artist's identity and growth.
• 🚧 The speaker encourages the audience to think beyond traditional design constraints, suggesting that a 'disrespect for architectural standards' can lead to innovative and personalized spaces.
• 🌟 The final message is one of empowerment, urging everyone to consider themselves as set designers in their own lives, capable of creating the world they want to live in.

Q & A

What is the main frustration described in the beginning of the script?

The main frustration described is the experience of sitting for hours taking a standardized test, filling in tiny circles with a No. 2 pencil, under an oppressive fluorescent light.

What does the speaker do for a living?

The speaker is a designer and creative director, making revelations of space for various people in different ways.

What is the first step the speaker suggests for making revelations of space?

The first step is 'therapy', which involves understanding why one is doing something, as illustrated by the speaker's work on designing 'Hamilton'.

What is the importance of understanding the 'why' behind a project according to the speaker?

Understanding the 'why' behind a project is important because it helps in aligning the creative process with the intended message and emotional impact on the audience.

How does the speaker describe the design phase?

The design phase is described as a crucial step where the speaker and the collaborators exchange ideas, creating 'cool toys' to bring the project to life.

What is the most terrifying part of the process according to the speaker?

The most terrifying part of the process is the execution phase, where the idea is scaled up and translated to a larger team, and the success of the design is tested.

How does the speaker relate the concept of 'inky-black darkness' to the show 'Dear Evan Hansen'?

The speaker uses 'inky-black darkness' as a color to represent sadness in the show 'Dear Evan Hansen', where the darkness transforms the audience but not before causing an emotional impact.

What is the significance of architectural standards in the speaker's work?

Architectural standards provide a safe way to move through the world, but the speaker also explores tweaking these standards to create unique interactions and reveal something about the characters or the audience.

How does the speaker use the example of Pee-Wee Herman to explain the importance of scale in design?

The speaker uses Pee-Wee Herman's stairs, which are 12 inches high, to show how the scale of architectural elements can affect the perception of a character and their interactions.

What is the启示 the speaker gives about using color in design?

The speaker suggests that color is emotion and can be used to convey feelings and tell stories, as seen in the use of inky-black darkness in 'Dear Evan Hansen'.

How does the speaker's work with Kanye West evolve over time?

The speaker's work with Kanye West evolves from a simple light box to more complex and epic designs, such as a large swath of sky with a tear, and finally to an ancient artifact at Coachella, reflecting Kanye's artistic evolution.

What personal anecdote does the speaker share to illustrate the importance of design?

The speaker shares an anecdote about driving through a parking lot and deciding to drive through a puddle, which led to an 'aha' moment about everything in the world needing to be designed.