Bigtime Design Studios have been Shortlisted for 3 Categories in The International Hotel and Property Awards 2022. Read more about Principal Callin Fortis, below:

Name: Callin Fortis
Company: Bigtime Design Studios
Position within company: Principal
Website: WWW.BIGTIMEDESIGNSTUDIOS.CO

Tell us a little about your background in design (education, experience, etc)
My name is Callin Fortis, founder and principal of Bigtime Design Studios. We specialize in branded, high style public space environments. Our work has been at sea with Carnival and Guy Fieri’s Pig and Anchor and on Land with Marriott Autograph’s Union @ Press Hotel … and an award winning resort re-do of a legendary and infamous Carlyle’s Postcard Inn … all with a lot of stops along the way. All of our projects begin with a narrative. Many, many moons ago, I began my creative journey as a wanna be Mad Man. An internship with a large Chicago based ad agency as creative director taught me a lot about how to sell a good time. We are in hospitality – it is indeed a good time. What we do for many businesses is the simplest thing to talk about. I hear it all the time, “We do renderings, branding, space planning, construction documents, FF and E specs … and on and on.” In reality, we create magical spaces to eat, drink and sleep.

How would you describe your personal interior design style?
We see ourselves as brand storytellers. Every brand regardless of how big or small and every person you meet has a distinct story to tell. We are not enrolled to create a story necessarily for our clients, but rather to be the conduit with which their OWN distinct and memorable story gets told. We are kind of like a big pipe – if we put enough in it, shake it, marinate and blend it completely – the hope is that what comes out the other end is a
design ethos that is both scalable, executable and memorable. OUR BELIEF IS THAT “IT IS THE BIG THINGS THAT CREATE THE IMPRESSION AND THE LITTLE THINGS THAT CREATE THE MEMORIES.” With that said, we are really not in the design business at all … we are in the memory business.

Where does your design inspiration come from?
LIFE + PEOPLE + EXPERIENCE (stories – colors/texture) = BRAND DRIVEN INTERIOR DESIGN

Name five key themes to consider when approaching design in 2022 and beyond.
Social and SAFE interaction with both people and the environment.
Value and thoughtful design cues that translate into customer brand experience.

If you could offer one piece of advice when it comes to interior design schemes, what would it be?
Don’t think too much. Be fearless. You can always turn the heat down in the kitchen if you need to, but start big. If your design makes you feel uncomfortable, that’s a good start. Design with your heart, not your hands.

How important are The International Hotel & Property Awards as recognition of talent and achievement?
Having been part of the global reaching design community in the past on several projects, it never gets old to be humbled by the vast and universal language of design.

What projects are you currently working on?
Carnival Cruise lines – Their behemoth super stealth and magnificent new ship.

BRIGHTLINE – The high speed rail company located in Miami which is the first publicly owned rail system in 100 years.

A very Tony restaurant located in the same venue for the past 40 years.

What was your favourite project to work on and why?
I know it sounds like a cliche, but they are all my favorites in some way and for each a different element. Lucky Shuck – for the unique interior architecture that told a very distinct manufacturing story which was both authentic and punctuated the building’s location – and the history of the Jupiter Inlet.

What was your most challenging project to work on and why?
Carnival Ships. All of them. Cruise ship design is very technical and precise.
Design has to feel as though it was whimsically sketched and yet exactly detailed.

Which products/services could you not live without when designing?
Oddly enough, Sketchup. It allows you to express design/architecture concepts quickly and in 3D without the program weighing down your ability to create magic or express a wacky idea or to confirm that your concept and/or idea doesn’t work. Good tool for both – illustrating what works, and also what doesn’t. The bar ceiling at 8 Street Brickell was
developed quickly in Sketchup and was the Parte for the entire project.

What are your aims and goals for the next twelve months?
Following the craziest 2 year plus run, my goal is to continue to work on amazing projects with willing partners (clients) and be able to keep the nimble spirit of working from anywhere when the project allows. You can never replace the buzz and collaboration of a creative team in a studio, but you can accomplish much more remotely than I thought prior to COVID.

Final thoughts; tell us a little more about yourself and your daily inspirations:
Your most treasured possession?
FOR STATIC BAUBLES – my vast collection of electric guitars ranging from a 1960 Fender Stratocaster, to a hand painted Gibson Les Paul and a signed Rolling Stones tour guitar.
FOR LIVING MEANINGFUL THINGS – my beloved PUG Little Dude AND my FRENCH BULLDOG Frank “the tank”

Your favourite holiday destination?
Positano, Italy … or ANYWHERE in Italy for that matter.

Your favourite hotel, restaurant & bar? The Pendry Manhattan West
WHY? New York City is definitely its own thing. A living breathing entity for a City. Though I could say many more exotic locals all for different reasons. Lets face it, you’re not going to be surfing down Broadway. New York has its own “je ne sais quoi” that distinguishes itself as a melting pot of design, fashion, luxury, culinary innovation, and hospitality in America if not the world.

Your favourite book, film & song?
Catcher in the Rye
Sling Blade
Anything by Robert Johnson

Your favourite food and drink?
Sushi
Anything cooked on my Smoker
A truly craft Beer. Not the fake ones at the corner store. Locally and limited brew

Your favourite way to spend an afternoon?
If it’s raining – movies, couch, dogs.
If it’s not raining – movie, couch, dogs.

If you weren’t a designer, what would you be?
A filmmaker.

Bigtime Design Studios

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