Client Services

The very nature of one-off design projects is that they require more than the usual amount of explanation to, and discussion with, the client and production team, throughout the conception, design, budgeting and execution processes. Ensuring that the design process is entirely in lock-step with the client’s expectations is a prime service that I provide throughout a project.

Structure Design

The design of structures and functional objects: These can be unique and customized, or adaptations of pre-existing designs. Wherever possible, standard rental or easily obtainable equipment is used with a view to keeping costs and onsite build times to a minimum, and to maximize the familiarity of local crews with the component parts of the build, but always in a way that bestows upon the finished structure a unique and striking look and feel.

Drawings done for these structures, both detailed for build, and overviews for site plans, are used not only as informational documents for clients and productions, but also as briefs to workshops, for bid purposes, and to engineers and architects for stamping and permit applications.

All aspects of these structures from foundations, footings and ballast up to weatherproofing and wind resistance are part of a design scope intended to deliver a finished product befitting, or exceeding, a client’s needs and project brief.

Scenic & Set Design

The creative design of scenic or visible objects and surfaces: This process discusses and determines the look and feel of all objects visible to an audience. The theatrical requirements, materials, colours, finishes and graphics become part of the design scope, as do methods of construction, component options and onsite assembly. The workshops are briefed and are supervised throughout the process of testing and completing scenic object. All scenic objects are constructed with local codes and fire regulations in mind.

Site Design, Planning & Layout

The design and layout of event sites: This encompasses a clear understanding of the possibilities of an event site gleaned from discussions, site surveys or past experience, and tied to a client’s wishes and expectations for their project. Accurate plans are sought and adapted or drafted for the specific event, so that all aspects of the event can be laid out with all possible accuracy, and the physical relationship between adjacent objects and their relationship with local site conditions and geography can be ascertained prior to onsite construction.

Drawings are done in such a way as to facilitate easy revisions. A sequential drawing numbering system is used so that out-of-date site plans can be swiftly recognized and replaced, following revisions.

Site plans are also used as briefing documents to City authorities to both aid pre-event discussions and, ultimately, to drive the event permitting process.