Experience design firm HUSH has added Michael Burkin as director of growth.
Previously Burkin worked for strategy, design and technology company Reaktor and was also a partner and managing director of Stockholm-based design studio Doberman. As VP of strategic design company Smart Design, he helped to scale the company to three locations, championing their culture as a way to foster collaboration between teams. Some of his most notable projects include the Aida™ calculus app for Pearson, the recent design of the MoMa website, Smart Design’s NYC taxi experience, and the SMART pediatric growth chart app for Harvard Medical School.
Burkin plans to draw on his varied experience as he helps take on HUSH’s next evolution. “The stakes are very high for the caliber of experiences that will exist in the post-pandemic world,” he explained. “Because we are now comfortable accomplishing so much at home, the bar for going out into the world has risen significantly. As an experience design firm–of offices, of public spaces, of buildings, of educational centers, of branded spaces–we have to create the most powerful, destination-worthy, IRL experiences to make them worth the trip.”
Burkin will tackle this workplace challenge by helping HUSH become a stronger strategic partner to their clients, as they consider what the return to work experience will be for their employees. But he also believes there are areas for HUSH to open up the conversation and talk about experience in an even broader way, from brand installations that signal a company’s vision or mission to multi-channel experiences that are integrated into a corporate campus or cultural space.
“I think we have a huge opportunity in front of us to think about experience more broadly, and HUSH is in the perfect position to grow this conversation even further,” Burkin continued. “Over the summer, [founding partner] David [Schwarz] and I discussed what growth means within a design studio. I believe a progressive, dynamic and innovative studio is built around three holistic pillars: growth, quality and culture. These pillars are intimately connected and interrelated. And growth is never for growth’s sake–it unlocks our ability to attract and inspire best-in-class talent, which fuels HUSH’s unique culture, and provides the space to design and develop category-leading concepts at scale.”
“Dune: Part Two” and “House of the Dragon” Win 2 HPA Awards Apiece
Dune: Part Two and House of the Dragon each scored two HPA Awards during a gala ceremony at the Television Academyโs Wolf Theatre in North Hollywood, Calif. on Thursday night (11/7). The HPA Awards honor trailblazing talent in the postproduction industry, celebrating standout achievements in color grading, sound, editing, restoration, and visual effects across theatrical features, commercials, and episodics.
Dune: Part Two topped the Outstanding Color Grading--Live Action Theatrical Feature and the Outstanding Sound--Theatrical Feature categories.
House of the Dragonโs two wins were for โThe Red Dragon and the Goldโ episode which scored for Outstanding Visual Effects--Live Action Episode or Series Season, and Outstanding Editing--Episode or Non-Theatrical Feature (Over 30 Minutes). In the latter HPA Creative Category, House of the Dragon tied with the โPart Six: Far,l Far Awayโ episode of Ahsoka.
The HPAโs Judges Award for Creativity and Innovation honored Taylor Swift | The Eras Tour. This recognition celebrates the profound impact on both live and filmed entertainment that defined The Eras Tour, underscoring its exceptional impact on audiences and the industry. The jury issued a statement outlining their choice: โCelebrated as the cultural phenomenon of 2023, Taylor Swift | The Eras Tour set new records in box office sales, tour revenues, and attendance. The tour showcased exceptional artistry and innovation, making a profound impact on both live and filmed entertainment.โ
This year, FotoKem was awarded the Charles S. Swartz Award for its role in supporting filmmakers, studios, cinematographers, and artists across diverse film and media landscapes. Also celebrated... Read More