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Design Better

Yashar Kassai: Artwork and production design for Spiderman: Into The Spider-Verse, TMNT, and more

Sep 17, 2024
Yashar Kassai, a talented production designer known for his work on animated hits like Spider-Man: Into The Spider-Verse and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem, shares his creative journey. He discusses how childhood inspirations from Disney influenced his career. Yashar reveals his innovative approach to freshening up beloved franchises and reflects on the evolution of visual storytelling. He also touches on overcoming challenges in the industry, including a significant career shift from wrestling to art.
12:29

Episode guests

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

  • Transitioning into a leadership role in design blends artistic and interpersonal skills, fostering collaborative environments for creative teams.
  • Childhood experiences significantly shape an artist's journey, influencing their creative paths and approaches to storytelling in adulthood.

Deep dives

The Role of Leadership in Creative Work

Transitioning into leadership positions in design requires a shift from creating art to managing creative teams, blending artistic skills with communication and interpersonal skills. Being a production designer involves fostering a collaborative environment where team members can share and develop ideas effectively. The essence of this role resembles that of hospitality, as leaders must ensure their colleagues feel welcomed and valued while contributing to the creative process. This dual focus on leadership and art-making expands the skill set demanded of designers as they progress in their careers.

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