How long have you been a designer and what is your schooling background? 

I’ve been a Conceptual Designer for the film industry for 12 years now, but once in a while I tend to deviate into industrial design and fine art. After studying Fine Art and painting at the University of California at Santa Barbara, I went on to study Industrial Design at Art Center College of Design, where I focused on transportation design, product design and entertainment design.

How do you start a concept piece for a film? and what are the stages of the concept development?

One of the most important first steps as a designer on a film is to dig into as much research as you have time for.  Whether I’m designing the silver surfer, or the Romulan ship in Star Trek, I always find my inspiration in photography, current cultural movements, historical art, or just from looking around in my own backyard.  I always try to keep a camera on me just in case an interesting cloud formation might appear or I happen upon new architecture in a city I’m walking around in.  Inspiration is everywhere you look.  You just have to look around.

After the initial research phase, I jump on the computer and sketch out as many ideas as possible in photoshop.  Recently I’ve been dabbling in 3D to carve out some of my initial thoughts as well.

Can you explain how the concept art is used in the process of making the film?

Typically when I start on a project it always begins with a brief discussion from three possible people, the Production Designer, the Director, or a Producer.  More often than not it’s with the Production Designer.  Once we have a chat about the story and the worlds that need to be created, I go off and spend sometime looking through books and online imagery to find a look for the film.  Often the Production Designer and the Director will have their own reference to share as well.  Sometimes though, there is no idea of what the crew wants for a design, then I have to really sit down and think about it.

 Whats the main difference between designing something for actual distribution compared to designing something for a film?

The difference between designing something for actual distribution compared to film is the fact that film is mostly smoke and mirrors.  Unless your designing a prop that an actor has to hold in his/her hand, it’s all an illusion.  Sets typically don’t have a backside for example.  Your always designing for the camera, only what needs to be seen through the lens.  Although, the more we get into CG as a design tool, like designing for a product or toy, we are spending more time designing the ins and outs of the prop, set, or environment. 

What was your favorite film to design for and why?