Every film, every tv show, starts from the same place: the dark void of the camera lens with infinite possibilities of how the story can be told.
Designing the Void is a podcast that explore film design and how it’s utilized as a storytelling tool. Hosted by me, Sarah Cogan, I talk with fellow designers about their creative process and what storytelling through design means for them.
Hear amazing tips, tricks and perspectives on all visual areas of design.
Help Keep Designing the Void Thriving
Every dollar donated supports the creation of each episode and allows these insightful conversations to keep happening.
EPISODE LIBRARY
Ep. 13: Ariel Poster Explains How the Best Graphic Artwork Isn’t Even Noticed on Screen
When Ariel tells people she’s a graphic artist for TV and film, they usually don’t know what that means. It’s a lot more than the real world’s understanding of graphic design, that’s for sure. From her role in the art department, Ariel dreams up all the daily details of the story’s world. A character’s favorite pizza joint? Ariel designs the logo, the pizza box, the napkins. In this episode, Ariel talks about the joys of working on kids’ shows, why she thinks about Clearance procedures before any designs, and how her best work should blend right in.
Ep. 12: Whittney Anne Adams on Her Early Success as a Costume Designer and Her Love of the Hunt
Costume designer Whitney Anne Adams had a big break at a young age, thanks to her theater background and tenacious work ethic. She talks about her impressive career thus far, plus the depth of costume design, the value of shopping vintage, and the fun of planting easter eggs.
Ep. 11: Maria Sylvania on Prop Design and How a Single Object Can Tell a Story
Prop Master Maria Sylvania has some real talk about creating character through a single prop, navigating stress in a tight-knit professional community, and the importance of unexpected, unglamorous skills — like plumbing.
Ep. 10: Makeup Artist Krystle Feher on the Creature Design Process
Krystle Feher talks about how she became a professional makeup artist, her love of creature building, and the creative process behind building creature special effect makeup.
Ep. 9: Malgosia Turzanska on Costume Design and Fabric as Her Key into the World of a Story
Malgosia Turzanska, of Stranger Things talks about Costume Design, how she uses fabric modification as a major part of her design process, and the interesting tricks she's learned along the way.
Ep. 8: Shari Besanceney on Hair Design, the Beauty of OUr REalness, and Tricks She Uses in a Pinch
Hair Stylist, Shari Besanceney, talks about her journey into hair design, what she looks at, and the tricks she's learned along the way.
Ep. 7: Michael Ground Talks Building Worlds and Maximizing Your Budget
As the costumer designer for the Netflix series Frontier, Michael Ground builds kingdoms out of vintage furs, careful color choices, and a mixture of historical fact and fashionable fiction. He tells us all about it, with insight from his experience on episodic projects and getting the most out of a tight budget.
Ep. 6: Annie Simon & Sarah Cogan Talk Our Responsibility as Storytellers
Host, Sarah Cogan, and guest, Annie Simon, talk about our responsibilities we have as storytellers.
Ep. 5: Annie Simon Talks Costume Design and the Stories We Tell
Costume Designer Annie Simon talks about costume design as a storytelling tool and how she views her craft and the bodies she adorns.
Ep. 4: Ashleigh Chavis Wolfe on Makeup, Character Arcs, and the Minor Tweaks That Make a Big Difference
Ashleigh Chavis Wolfe has over 20 years of film production experience. She talks about how she fell into make up design, little make up tweaks that change the whole perception of the character, and how important strong collaboration with the director of photography is is for makeup artists.
Ep. 3: Jeanie Cheek on Creative Costume Problem Solving and Design
Emmy-Nominated Costume Designer, Jeanie Cheek dives into what inspires her as a costume designer, ways to think about costume design, and creative costume problem solving when on a tight budget.
Ep. 2: Production Designer Loren Weeks on Collaboration and the Creative Process
Production Designer Loren Weeks talks about his creative process and how he keeps his mind open for everything that resonates with him on a given project and how integral strong communication is for him as a department head.
Ep. 1: Katie Irish of The Americans Talks Costume Design
Costume Designer, Katie Irish, talks about what costume design means to her, how she approaches her work and the details she pays attention to as a designer.
Help Keep Designing the Void Thriving
Every dollar donated supports the creation of each episode and allows these insightful conversations to keep happening.