Urban Decay
Set Design, Wardrobe Sourcing, Wardrobe Styling (New York City, New York)
An opportunity presented itself when a director from Mccan reached out to commission me to design the sets for an Urban Decay spec shoot. As a devoted follower of the brand, I was incredibly excited to immerse myself in this project, and with ease, began sourcing inspiration and conducting research. The shoot took place in Prospect Studios just one week prior to the onset of the global COVID-19 pandemic in New York City.
Although this was my first foray into professional set design, the magnitude of the project didn't intimidate me. However, due to time constraints, we were unable to procure a stylist. Undeterred, I embraced this additional responsibility and proceeded to curate a wardrobe that captured the dystopian essence of the opening scene, leading up to a chromatic finale.
VIEW WORK ↘
“WIRED” / Directors Cut
A woman in perfect uniformity breaks free to find her own individual self-expression
(0:30) Film Edit
(0:10) Film Edit
Creative Brief
As part of the project, the director and video production team provided me with a set of initial images to work with, which I used as a starting point for the creative process. Using these images as inspiration, I delved deeper into the project by creating additional moodboards that would serve as a visual reference when sourcing props and wardrobe for the shoot.
These moodboards were carefully curated to capture the specific atmosphere and tone that the director and I had envisioned for the project. Each image and element on the moodboards was thoughtfully chosen to ensure that it would align with the overall vision of the project and contribute to the cohesive aesthetic of the final product. Through the creation of these moodboards, I was able to take the initial inspiration provided by the director and video production team and build upon it to create a comprehensive and well-rounded set design that perfectly captured the essence of the project.
Opening Scene ‘Vanity Distopian’
The opening scene of the project was crucial in establishing the mood and tone of the entire piece. It was important to create a stark contrast between the bland, colorless world that the subject inhabits and the vibrant, colorful world of Urban Decay makeup. As the set designer, I was responsible for creating a compelling visual backdrop for this scene.
To begin, I closely studied the images provided by the director and production team as inspiration. I wanted to ensure that I captured the essence of their vision while also infusing my own creative flair. From there, I created mood boards that served as a point of reference when sourcing props and wardrobe.
For the scene, I carefully selected vintage props that mimicked an earlier time period and reflective of the subject’s earlier uniform personality. I wanted the vanity to feel personal and intimate, so I opted for props that were visually interesting but not too flashy. The soft ambiance lighting was used to counterbalance the harsh light from the prop TV and to create an atmosphere of quiet contemplation.
In terms of wardrobe, I knew that the scene would be darkly lit, so I chose a metallic jumpsuit with warm tones that would contrast with the cool-toned surrounding lighting. The art deco-inspired earrings added a touch of elegance and sophistication to the outfit. The reflective material of the jumpsuit bounced enough light to give the subject form and to highlight the contours of their face.
Through my deliberate prop and wardrobe choices, I was able to create a captivating and immersive visual experience that perfectly set the tone for the rest of the project.
Opening Scene Vanity Dystopian—Behind the Scenes
Transitional Scene ‘UD Wired Oasis’
The subject discovers the UD Wired palette and unveils a chromatic multi-colored universe breaking the norms of what she has known in beauty.
For this scene, I wanted it to feel like you’re entering a minimalistic futuristic waiting room. Props were in the same color/and or worked as a way to bounce reflective light. This ensured the focus wouldn’t be taken away from the subject and bounced the soft ambiance of pink and purple tones.
Transitioning from the dystopian vanity scene, I was inspired to source wardrobe menswear. inspired This 2 piece suit was a contrast to the flowy jumpsuit-like outfit previously worn in the dystopian vanity scene as a nod to the 80’s era when women’s fashion trends shifted from feminine silhouettes to structural pieces.
Hand painted props flat white and gold prior to the shoot
Hand painted golden hammer foreshadowing the ending of the film
Final Scene ‘Kill the lights’
The final scene of the film was crucial in conveying the character's transformation and newfound self-expression. As a set designer, my goal was to create an environment that visually communicated this message to the audience. I worked closely with the director and video production team to ensure that the scene was executed effectively.
To create the disheveled scene where everything is out of place, I carefully selected props and arranged them in a way that felt chaotic and unorganized. I wanted to visually convey the character's inner turmoil and confusion through the set design. Additionally, I made sure to use lighting to enhance the mood and atmosphere of the scene.
In terms of lighting, we strategically placed the strongest light source to come from the smashed TV itself. This helped to create a powerful visual impact that was central to the scene. I also added one of the table lamps to balance the hard light coming from the TV screen with a soft ambiance that would create a sense of depth and contrast. By carefully considering all of these elements, we were able to create a visually stunning and emotionally impactful final scene that effectively conveyed the message of the film.
Final scene—Kill the lights
