CREATIVE SERVICES: MORE THAN JUST BUILDS
All jobs require some flexibility, but event professionals have a buoyancy about them that is truly unique to their profession. One miscalculated detail could throw off an entire event and change its direction. Here is where creative services come in to shine. Although we often discuss our team’s capability to create incredible custom builds and fabrications, creative services include even more. Wizard Studios is lucky to have our very own Department of Creative Services in-house, thanks to Jonathan Yianilos, Wizard Studios’ Director of Creative Services.
Known as “Yiani” to his colleagues, this creative genius has been crafting unique and artistic solutions since his first day at Wizard Studios as an install carpenter, working the occasional night and weekend. We sat down with Yiani to learn more about how Wizards Studios builds solutions with in-house creative design and production services!
CREATIVE DESIGN & BUILD
The creative services department covers many areas, but the most known are unique custom designs and builds. How do creative design and building work? You may think it seems like a simple process; there’s a design and the artisans build it. In reality, there’s a lot more thought that goes into these custom builds. Yiani shared with us his 5-step process from beginning to end. It looks a little something like this:
“First, we listen intently to clients as they express their goals like ROI (Return on Investment), aesthetics, and restrictions like budget and timeframe.
We then work diligently to discover and present elegant ideas that achieve an ideal balance in execution between factors like guest experience, aesthetics, timeframe, budget, and clients’ ROI.
When we have alignment on a rough scope and budget, we begin ideation with basic hand sketches that develop into full 3D renders and offer an official quote.
Next, we order materials and acquire staff for the build and installation.
The Build.”
Yiani lights up when talking about step 5, The Build. “It’s my favorite part. I love to see dreams come to life. Seeing a craftsperson light up as they lovingly express themselves through paint, wood, or metal all in order to realize a client’s vision- makes all the stress and late nights worth it. Yiani and his team clearly put a lot of thought and passion into their creative design and builds. The creative design studio at Wizard Studios in New York is an exciting place, and our artisans are ready to turn your visions into realities! Take a look at our website to view our many creative capabilities!
ADDITIONAL CREATIVE SERVICES OFFERED
As we stated earlier, the Department of Creative Services at Wizard Studios offers so much more than just extraordinary craftsmanship with custom builds and fabrications. But what else does the creative services department offer? From creating proposals, designs, art objects, and installations, Yiani’s job is “a balance of front-end intake and ideation, with back-end execution and delivery.” He shared with us a handful of additional services his department offers.
Pre-Production Design Work: Wizard Studios is full of talented visual designers who create custom mood boards for events of all sizes.
Master Consultancy Services: We provide consultations to help clients manage out-of-town fabrications.
Lighting design: Wizard Studios’ talented lighting designers can transform venues without even a single custom fabricated element.
Video Content Generation and Management: Our Project Managers masterfully handle video content for live streams or in-person events.
And the list goes on!
IN-HOUSE DEPARTMENT OF CREATIVE SERVICES
Many, if not most event production companies hire external creative agencies. But not us. Wizard Studios is a one-stop-shop, including having our very own Department of Creative Services. Since Wizard Studios also takes care of AV, lighting, and staging, having creative services in-house helps integrate all these elements seamlessly. Yiani shared with us why it’s so special to have these services in-house, right where production lives:
“The benefit of close dialog between our in-house designers and fabricators during the build process leads to more elegant and beautiful work. The design process flows right into the build. Prototyping and material investigations are expedited. Viable ideas quickly rise and impractical ideas quickly fall.”
Not only is this process more efficient and successful, but it also is more artistically fulfilling for our artisans and designers. Yiani goes on to say, “It’s not for everyone. The speed and intensity of this work require passion, focus, and stamina. But this more artistic way of working allows us to respond with lightning speed, and most often with ‘yes, and…’.”
WHAT SETS WIZARD STUDIOS APART?
Having our own creative services in-house already sets Wizard Studios apart from other event production companies, but we asked Yiani to reflect on his time with Wizard Studios and tell us what is it that sets Wizard Studios apart.
“Passion. Everyone you meet here: directors, managers, coordinators, operations, finance, talent acquisition and development, sales, technical production, and creative services. We all aim for excellence. Despite falling short of perfection we maintain a growth mindset individually and as a group that propels us forward through adversity. It’s the same mindset that inspires us to overdeliver on our promises. When you hire us, you’ll sense that passion as we join your team and you join ours in making these experiences spectacular.”
There you have it! If you’re looking to partner with an event production company for all your creative needs, look no further. Yiani and Wizard Studios’ in-house creative services team is here to help. We go above and beyond to make your events unforgettable with our creative design and builds in New York. Contact Wizard Studios today!