John is a Vancouver based Art Director who brings breadth of experience, the agility to design across all production styles & genres, supported by technical expertise. His strategic planning and collaborative management approach with all departments bolster the storytelling aspects of art direction. Twenty+ years of experience enables him to see the big picture while integrating all the fine details, bringing the Production Designer's & Director’s vision to life in fast paced production environments.
Strong interests in Architecture, Interiors, Film, Photography & Graphics Design drew him to Toronto’s Ryerson University, where he graduated from their multi-faceted Bachelor or Applied Arts Design program.
His storytelling career began with Toronto based global, multi-disciplinary consulting firms noted for building international brand spaces through narrative & blue sky thinking. Narrative informed a multi-layered approach, where the threads of Architecture, Interior & Graphic Design were interwoven, contributing to the design of memorable, audience engaging places. This was ideal training for his later career in Film & Television.
Seeking new challenges & opportunities for using his imagination, he embraced a move to Vancouver, pursuing a long standing passion for design for Film & Television. Previous people & project management experience has proven to be an asset in leading crews and for cost & schedule management. His master-planning and creative visualization skills are invaluable in the stage / set planning process.
With the heart of an artist and the mind of a strategic planner he seeks to uncover opportunities to enrich the narrative. Productions benefit from his experience building narrative through design, developing character through the intentional & thoughtful relationship between set design, symbols, objects, color and texture.
His fascination with different cultures and how their stories are told through their history & vernacular styles; art, design, architecture is a strong motivator for travel. Trips to noted Gallery, Museum & Science Center destinations are considered an essential part of his life long education, adding to what he can contribute to his work in Film, Television & Streaming video.