As the set design team at Puyallup Nazarene Church, Justine wanted to approach their Advent set this year with a fresh perspective. They were committed to creating something simple yet transformative, a design that would speak volumes through its understated elegance.
The journey began with our collaborative graphic concept. Justine and I worked together to develop the initial vision, and once we had the design just right, I took a projector and traced the word “morning” onto a sheet of plywood. With careful precision, I cut out the entire word using a jigsaw, making sure to keep it as one piece to simplify the hanging process.
A yellow frame, constructed from 2×2 lumber, echoes the graphic’s design language. This same material became the backbone of our supporting structure. Justine helped me select the perfect shade of yellow that would complement our overall concept. Two additional black-painted 2×2 supports hold the words “until” and “comes” – wood letters we sourced online to perfectly match our graphic’s typography.
For the backdrop, we created a starlight effect using 80 strands of white Christmas lights connected to a dimmer. The existing black framing around the lights is part of our standard set design, which helped maintain a cohesive look. Justine was particularly excited about the lighting design, carefully adjusting the dimmer to create just the right atmosphere.
In an intentional design choice, we opted to leave the Christmas trees undecorated and without additional lighting. This decision helped create a more natural, foresty-mountain aesthetic that didn’t compete with the central message – an approach we both felt strongly about.
The entire project came together with remarkable efficiency and economy. Here’s a breakdown of our budget:
– Christmas Lights: $200
– Plywood: $21
– 2x2x10 for Yellow Frame: $10
– Paint: $50
– “Until” and “Comes” Letters: $55
Total Investment: $336
Justine and I believe that sometimes, less truly is more. By focusing on clean lines, meaningful typography, and a restrained color palette, we created a set design that speaks to the heart of our Advent message. It was a labor of love, a creative partnership that allowed us to bring a unique vision to our church community.
Through this project, we discovered that the most powerful designs often emerge from simplicity, collaboration, and a shared vision of what can be.
Leave a Reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.