Designer of the Day: Julio Himede

Source Credit:  Content and images from Surface Magazine by Jenna Adrian-Diaz.  Read the original article - https://www.surfacemag.com/articles/designer-of-the-day-julio-himede/

Here, we ask designers to take a selfie and give us an inside look at their life.

Occupation: Production Designer 

Instagram: @yellowstudionyc

Hometown and Studio Location: New York City

Describe what you make: I create immersive, eye-catching environments for live events, TV productions, and concerts. My job is to bring artistic and thematic ideas to life as physical spaces that draw in the audience and make the experience unforgettable. I love using a mix of design elements—like lighting, set pieces, multimedia, and spatial layout—to build these memorable, engaging worlds. 

The most important thing you’ve designed to date: The Eurovision Song Contest 2023 is the most important project I’ve ever designed, not only because of its massive global reach but because of what it represents. Eurovision personally meant a lot to me, as it celebrates inclusivity and diversity. Working on Eurovision is a chance to be part of something much bigger than a show; it’s about contributing to a global celebration of unity and creativity. 

Describe the problem your work solves: I translate abstract ideas into a visual language with a clear and minimalist style. My focus is to create environments audiences can relate to and engage emotionally with through the protagonist. 

Describe the project you are working on now: The Shakira World Tour (Las Mujeres Ya No Lloran) which launches in Rio De Janeiro February 2025. 

What you absolutely have to have in your studio: Music, snacks, art, vibes, etc.

Greek yogurt, healthy nuts, avocado toast and protein powder! Ohhh plus all of the creative stuff that fuels my team and myself with inspiration… tons of architecture and art books, and I’m often grabbing the latest editions of fashion, music and art magazines. You might find us listening to classical music in the morning while in the afternoon we might switch to Mahmood or to Honey Dijon.

What you do when you’re not working: Even though I work long hours and often on weekends, I maintain a healthy work-life balance. My mornings start with a gym session with my trainer, followed by daily walks with my dog along the Hudson River on Manhattan’s West Side. I love trying new restaurants with friends and spending weekends driving with my husband to our home in the Catskill Mountains outside New York City. Additionally, enjoying Broadway theatre productions and attending concerts are essential parts of my lifestyle, beautifully blending my personal and professional worlds.

Sources of creative envy:

Architects such as Santiago Calatrava, Renzo Piano, Tadao Ando & Oscar Niemeyer.

Artists such as Henry Matisse, Marcel Duchamp, Olafur Eliasson.

Italian design masters such as Gio Ponti, Gaetano Pesce & Carlo Mollino.

The distraction you want to eliminate: Digital notifications—while I enjoy social media, notifications make me feel like I’m on standby, constantly waiting for the next alert.

Concrete or marble? Concrete all the way. 

High-Rise Or Townhouse? High-rise, as it provides me with a view of the Hudson River, and staring at water makes me feel balanced and complete. 

Remember Or Forget? Remember

Aliens Or Ghosts? 1000% aliens 

Dark Or Light? Dark is sexier! And you can light someone in the dark! 

Source Credit:  Content and images from Surface Magazine by Jenna Adrian-Diaz.  Read the original article - https://www.surfacemag.com/articles/designer-of-the-day-julio-himede/