David Korins
Building Worlds, One Story at a Time
David Korins, Founder and Creative Director of Korins Studio, is a renowned set designer and creator of immersive experiences. With a portfolio spanning Broadway, large-scale concerts, brand activations, and even the Academy Awards®, his ability to blend storytelling and innovation through collaboration has earned him critical acclaim and a large fanbase.
Recently, his firm moved into Kew Management’s historic St. James Building in NoMad, a fitting location for a designer who sees New York City as a source of inspiration.
Korins’ work has been recognized with an Emmy Award®, multiple Tony® and Emmy nominations, and Fast Company’s Most Innovative Company Award. He has also been honored with a Lortel Award, two Drama Desk Awards, three Henry Hewes Design Awards, and an Obie Award for Sustained Excellence in Design. His philosophy is clear: excellence is the standard, and innovation is key. “I tend to take on things that only I can do,” Korins explains. Whether designing the identifiable brick and scaffolding simplicity of Hamilton or the surreal, forced perspective of Beetlejuice, each project is an entirely new challenge. “Collaboration ensures that nothing looks alike,” he notes. “Hamilton does not look like Beetlejuice, which looks nothing like Dear Evan Hansen.”
From Stage to Global Experiences
Korins’ career began in theater, where he honed his ability to reveal space in surprising ways “I like to evoke catharsis and transition. That’s where the magic is,” he shares. While Broadway remains an integral part of his work – having designed for shows like Hamilton, Here Lies Love, Beetlejuice, Dear Evan Hansen, and War Paint – today, theater accounts for only a portion of Korins Studio’s projects. His expertise now extends into large-scale concert tours, experiential brand activations, and high-profile institutional collaborations.
Designing Across Industries
From Broadway to concerts and beyond, Korins applies a world-building story-telling approach to every project. Working with artists like Elton John, Lady Gaga, Bruno Mars, and Mariah Carey, he emphasizes the importance of creative trust. “If I’m in the room, it’s because they want me there – not as a yes-man, but as someone who can bring a unique perspective,” he says. “In moments with Gaga, Mars, or Elton, their fame doesn’t change the pressures they face. A release carries immense weight. They are not an industry – they’re individuals. I feel a deep responsibility to help midwife their projects.”
His work in brand experiences follows a similar mindset. His ongoing collaboration with Coca-Cola has involved designing a 20,000-square-foot walkthrough experience, an undertaking that required distilling the brand’s 130-year history into an engaging, immersive story. It opened March 20, 2025.
Korins has also worked with institutions like Universal Music Group and Disney, helping them reimagine their audience engagement strategies. “Whether it’s a festival, a brand, or a museum, it’s about collaboration and storytelling,” he explains. “The key question is always: How do you want people to feel inside that space?”
Future Success
Looking ahead, Korins is balancing multiple projects, including building a new theater in Millbrook, NY, designing four new Broadway productions, including Sarah Silverman’s The Bedwetter, opening several restaurants in Manhattan, and continuing work on major branding initiatives. As Hamilton celebrates its 10th anniversary, he takes pride in its enduring impact across theater, music, and politics. “As it continues to open in new regions, people buy tickets over six months in advance, dress up, and make a night of it—it’s still extraordinary.”
Despite his vast portfolio, Korins sees building his own company as his greatest achievement. “I’ve built this company brick by brick, project by project,” he says. With a dedicated team – some of whom have been with him for over 20 years – Korins credits their shared vision and the invaluable shorthand they’ve developed over time to Korins Studio’s success. “I’ve also had several repeat collaborators – and we’ve built amazing bodies of work together.” All of this combined with Korins’ boundless curiosity and enthusiasm all but guarantees future success.
David Korins, Founder and Creative Director of Korins Studio, is a renowned set designer and creator of immersive experiences. With a portfolio spanning Broadway, large-scale concerts, brand activations, and even the Academy Awards®, his ability to blend storytelling and innovation through collaboration has earned him critical acclaim and a large fanbase.
Recently, his firm moved into Kew Management’s historic St. James Building in NoMad, a fitting location for a designer who sees New York City as a source of inspiration.
Korins’ work has been recognized with an Emmy Award®, multiple Tony® and Emmy nominations, and Fast Company’s Most Innovative Company Award. He has also been honored with a Lortel Award, two Drama Desk Awards, three Henry Hewes Design Awards, and an Obie Award for Sustained Excellence in Design. His philosophy is clear: excellence is the standard, and innovation is key. “I tend to take on things that only I can do,” Korins explains. Whether designing the identifiable brick and scaffolding simplicity of Hamilton or the surreal, forced perspective of Beetlejuice, each project is an entirely new challenge. “Collaboration ensures that nothing looks alike,” he notes. “Hamilton does not look like Beetlejuice, which looks nothing like Dear Evan Hansen.”
From Stage to Global Experiences
Korins’ career began in theater, where he honed his ability to reveal space in surprising ways “I like to evoke catharsis and transition. That’s where the magic is,” he shares. While Broadway remains an integral part of his work – having designed for shows like Hamilton, Here Lies Love, Beetlejuice, Dear Evan Hansen, and War Paint – today, theater accounts for only a portion of Korins Studio’s projects. His expertise now extends into large-scale concert tours, experiential brand activations, and high-profile institutional collaborations.
Designing Across Industries
From Broadway to concerts and beyond, Korins applies a world-building story-telling approach to every project. Working with artists like Elton John, Lady Gaga, Bruno Mars, and Mariah Carey, he emphasizes the importance of creative trust. “If I’m in the room, it’s because they want me there – not as a yes-man, but as someone who can bring a unique perspective,” he says. “In moments with Gaga, Mars, or Elton, their fame doesn’t change the pressures they face. A release carries immense weight. They are not an industry – they’re individuals. I feel a deep responsibility to help midwife their projects.”
His work in brand experiences follows a similar mindset. His ongoing collaboration with Coca-Cola has involved designing a 20,000-square-foot walkthrough experience, an undertaking that required distilling the brand’s 130-year history into an engaging, immersive story. It opened March 20, 2025.
Korins has also worked with institutions like Universal Music Group and Disney, helping them reimagine their audience engagement strategies. “Whether it’s a festival, a brand, or a museum, it’s about collaboration and storytelling,” he explains. “The key question is always: How do you want people to feel inside that space?”
Future Success
Looking ahead, Korins is balancing multiple projects, including building a new theater in Millbrook, NY, designing four new Broadway productions, including Sarah Silverman’s The Bedwetter, opening several restaurants in Manhattan, and continuing work on major branding initiatives. As Hamilton celebrates its 10th anniversary, he takes pride in its enduring impact across theater, music, and politics. “As it continues to open in new regions, people buy tickets over six months in advance, dress up, and make a night of it—it’s still extraordinary.”
Despite his vast portfolio, Korins sees building his own company as his greatest achievement. “I’ve built this company brick by brick, project by project,” he says. With a dedicated team – some of whom have been with him for over 20 years – Korins credits their shared vision and the invaluable shorthand they’ve developed over time to Korins Studio’s success. “I’ve also had several repeat collaborators – and we’ve built amazing bodies of work together.” All of this combined with Korins’ boundless curiosity and enthusiasm all but guarantees future success.
NoMad: A New Home for Creativity
After 20 years on the West Side, Korins sought a space closer to home and found inspiration in NoMad. “This neighborhood makes me feel like NYC is rising, not falling,” he says. The NoMad Piazza, an open and airy artery through the neighborhood, reaffirmed his belief in the city’s resilience. “It feels like the crossroads of the world—reminiscent of Paris, Montreal, and Chicago, all in one place.”
As Korins continues to push creative boundaries, one thing remains constant: his commitment to transforming spaces into unforgettable experiences and telling stories like no one else.
After 20 years on the West Side, Korins sought a space closer to home and found inspiration in NoMad. “This neighborhood makes me feel like NYC is rising, not falling,” he says. The NoMad Piazza, an open and airy artery through the neighborhood, reaffirmed his belief in the city’s resilience. “It feels like the crossroads of the world—reminiscent of Paris, Montreal, and Chicago, all in one place.”
As Korins continues to push creative boundaries, one thing remains constant: his commitment to transforming spaces into unforgettable experiences and telling stories like no one else.