What Matters to Julio Himede

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Debbie Millman has an ongoing project at PRINT titled “What Matters.” This is an effort to understand the interior life of artists, designers, and creative thinkers. This facet of the project is a request of each invited respondent to answer ten identical questions and submit a nonprofessional photograph.


New York-based Latin-Australian set designer Julio Himede founded Yellow Studio in 2006. Drawing on his decades of experience in television and theater, he has built the company into a multi-platform design studio that works across broadcast, music performance, and immersive events.

What is the thing you like doing most in the world?

Disconnecting from my work. As much as I love what I do, and I am passionate about every project we create in our studio, I truly benefit from taking a break, going on holidays and shutting down. It’s a habit I repeat a few times a year. It’s therapeutic in a way that keeps my life balanced and complete.

What is the first memory you have of being creative?

I was 5 years old. At Christmas, my parents always had a rather large nativity scene under the Christmas tree. I used to create scenic pieces and redecorate the nativity scene to look different almost every day. Then I was introduced to Legos, which helped me to understand shape, form and composition when building little houses and buildings.

What is your biggest regret?

This is tough as I cannot think of one, however I have always wanted to learn other languages, apart from English and Spanish. Italian and French are on my bucket list.

How have you gotten over heartbreak?

By surrounding myself with good close friends, and flirting along the way.

What makes you cry?

Seeing children suffering around certain parts of the world makes me cry.

How long does the pride and joy of accomplishing something last for you?

I take pride in successful projects we design around the world and like to celebrate with my team back in NYC after returning from the project. We are usually so busy on other projects that we have to move on rather quickly from celebrating. However, I believe it is crucial to acknowledge the success. I recently won a BAFTA award for Eurovision, I am still getting compliments about it from people I ran into a few weeks later.

Do you believe in an afterlife, and if so, what does that look like to you?

I certainly do. It appears very colorful in a harmonious, non-chaotic manner.

What do you hate most about yourself?

I am very glad to not have an answer for this…

What do you love most about yourself?

I love being a tall person, I keep myself healthy and fit no matter how busy my life is, and I am a humble individual along the way.

What is your absolute favorite meal?

Usually a dinner with fresh ingredients. I am a good cook, and make healthy salads complimented with a delicious protein. Also, at dinner, I have a good excuse to have a cocktail a couple of times a week, like a margarita or an aviation.