Back to the future was a documentary
Full transparency: I started writing this article in July of 2024. Well, actually… I thought up the title, which was a punchline for a joke I have long forgotten, in July of 2024. Since then, I have gotten a little bit better at fully fleshing out ideas in writing so that if life starts lifing and I have to put an idea on hold for a little bit there is still at least the skeleton of something coherent to come back to. That obviously didn’t happen this time so here’s some new crap…
“Roads? Where we’re going we don’t need roads.”
As 2024 draws to a close, I find myself reflecting on how much this year has shaped me—personally and professionally. It has been a year of breakthroughs in so many ways, but particularly in my passion for design. The past nine months, especially, have been transformative—not just for my career, but for how I view life itself. It’s been a journey of rediscovery, embracing change, and realizing that design isn’t just something I do; it’s something that I live.
Here I am giving a chat on design for Creative Mornings’ “New York is Creative” event in Brooklyn over the summer.
At the end of 2023, I found myself at a crossroads. After years in audio design, I was drawn toward a new path—one where I could blend my passion for sound with visual storytelling. But as I navigated this transition, I experienced a period of uncertainty. I wasn’t sure how to balance these two worlds or where my next step would lead. The idea of moving to New York City—something I had always dreamed of—seemed like the logical next adventure. But as time went on, I realized that Los Angeles, my hometown, was where my heart truly belonged—for now, at least.
With that decision, a sense of clarity began to emerge. Returning to Los Angeles wasn’t just about geographical comfort; it became a creative reawakening. In a city where culture, architecture, and innovation collide, I rediscovered my true passion for design. But this time, it wasn’t just about textiles, interior spaces, lighting, or selecting the perfect lounge chair. It was about something much deeper: I started to see all of life as an intricate design that we can shape, mold, and play with.
The Vanderbilt Building—New York City, Summer 2024
Design as a Metaphor for Life
In 2024, I finally understood design in a new way. It’s not just a profession or a hobby—it’s a metaphor for life itself. Like any great design project, life is a series of choices, patterns, textures, and moments of serendipity. It’s about finding harmony in chaos, experimenting with new ideas, and knowing when to step back and let things evolve organically.
I fell in love again with the idea that life, in all its unpredictability, is a kind of canvas, and we are the designers. Just as in interior design, where every detail—from the shape of a chair to the color of the walls—affects the overall feel of a room, every decision we make in life shapes the environment around us. From the people we surround ourselves with to the spaces we inhabit, everything contributes to the story we are telling.
In 2024, I started to see design not as something isolated to a space but as a holistic way of thinking. The choices we make about how we live—how we decorate our homes, structure our days, and curate our relationships—are all part of a larger, ongoing design process. This realization has been liberating, and it’s something I’ve started talking about to anyone who will listen. I’ve had deep conversations with friends, colleagues, and even strangers, about how we can take the principles of design and apply them to our daily lives.
Merging Audio and Visual Storytelling
One of the most exciting developments this year has been the way I’ve started blending my background in audio design with my growing interest in visual storytelling. As I explore new ways to merge sound and design, I’ve come to appreciate how interconnected these two elements truly are. Just as a well-designed space is created by the interplay of light, texture, and form, so too does audio have a rhythm, a pulse, and an energy that can change the mood of a room—or a moment.
The synergy between sound and visual elements has opened up a whole new world of creative possibilities. I see design as a dynamic, living thing, where every aspect—visual, tactile, and even auditory—works in concert to create an experience. It’s no longer just about crafting a beautiful space. It’s about creating an experience that engages all the senses, one that speaks to the heart and soul of the people within it.
A Return to Los Angeles
Deciding to put my move to New York on hold and return to Los Angeles was, in many ways, a return to myself. While New York City offers an undeniable energy, Los Angeles feels like the place where my creativity can truly flourish. There’s something about the vastness of the city, its light, its openness, that inspires me to think bigger and bolder. From the eclectic neighborhoods to the fusion of cultures and artistic movements, Los Angeles has given me the space to grow and evolve, both as a designer and as a person.
In Los Angeles, I’ve found a unique rhythm that allows me to explore design from multiple angles—whether it’s through personal projects, collaborations with other creatives, or simply soaking in the rich textures of the city itself. The creative possibilities here are endless, and I’ve learned to embrace the beauty in the unexpected, just as I would with any design project. I’ve rediscovered the magic of creating, not just in my work, but in my life.
Design as a Lifelong Journey
Looking back, I can see how far I’ve come in just one year. The transition from audio design to visual storytelling wasn’t easy, but it’s been incredibly rewarding. More importantly, it has led me to a deeper understanding of what design truly is—an ongoing process of discovery and reinvention. It’s not about having all the answers, but about being open to the possibilities, exploring new ideas, and embracing the messy, unpredictable nature of creativity.
This year has reinforced that design is more than just the physical spaces we create—it’s the way we approach life itself. Whether it’s the decisions we make about how we decorate our homes or how we choose to live, design is a reflection of who we are and how we interact with the world. As I continue to grow in my career and personal life, I’m more excited than ever about the future of design—both as a profession and as a metaphor for life.
I’m looking forward to the next chapter, knowing that every project, every decision, and every conversation is another layer of the intricate design that shapes my life—and I can’t wait to see where it leads.
Final Thoughts:
If 2024 has taught me anything, it’s that design is a journey—one that extends far beyond the walls of a room or the lines of a project brief. Life itself is a design, and we are all its creators. I encourage you to consider how you can bring more intentionality into your life, just as you would with a space you’re designing. What does design mean to you? How can you infuse more creativity and intention into your own story? I’d love to hear your thoughts and reflections.
