Two Emmy nods and a fridge full of Tim Tams – meet the Aussie staging pop culture’s biggest moments

Julio Himede, a Salvadoran-Australian production designer, has received two Emmy nominations for his work on high-profile events, marking a significant achievement in his career. The nominations, announced for the Creative Arts Emmy Awards, include recognition for his designs for the Super Bowl LX Halftime Show featuring Grammy-winning artist Bad Bunny and for his work on this year's Grammy Awards. Both events showcased bold, immersive staging that captured the attention of millions worldwide. The Super Bowl Halftime Show alone attracted an estimated 128.2 million viewers in the United States, while clips from the performance reached a global audience of approximately 4.16 billion people within a day. Himede, who hails from El Salvador but spent much of his formative years in Australia, described feeling nervous before the Super Bowl Halftime Show. Standing behind Bad Bunny during the performance, he admitted to being apprehensive about whether the complex visual concepts would resonate with audiences. His previous work often leaned toward minimalism with a singular impactful element, making the scale and complexity of the Super Bowl set a departure from his usual approach. Despite his confidence in the concept, he acknowledged the anxiety that comes with taking such a creative risk. “Part of my brain kept thinking, ‘are they going to get it?’” he recalled. “Is it going to look like one big mess or are we really going to nail it?” The success of the Super Bowl performance appears to have validated his vision. The Emmy nominations reflect the industry's acknowledgment of his contributions to large-scale productions. Notably, Himede is among several Australians honored at this year’s awards, highlighting the growing influence of Australian designers in international entertainment. His dual nomination, once for the Super Bowl Halftime Show and once for the Grammy Awards, adds to the significance of the accolades. While he expressed disbelief at the recognition, he emphasized the honor and surreal nature of being nominated twice in the same category. Born in El Salvador, Himede moved to Australia with his family at the age of 12. He grew up on the Gold Coast and later relocated to Sydney to pursue his passion for design. There, he studied at the National Institute of Dramatic Art (NIDA), a prestigious institution known for producing notable figures in the arts, including production designer Catherine Martin, actress Cate Blanchett, and director Baz Luhrmann. Himede described his time at NIDA as transformative, likening it to an unexpected opportunity that propelled him forward. “Coming to Sydney as an 18-year-old boy, who’d only ever seen maybe one musical, which was The Phantom of the Opera, getting into NIDA was like an injection of culture,” he explained. “I had to learn and I had no option. It was like I was at the train station and the train came, and it just took me with it.” After graduating in 1999, Himede faced a pivotal decision. A new Star Wars film, Attack of the Clones, was being filmed in Sydney, and he had been offered a position as an assistant designer. At the same time, he received a call from designer Brian Thompson, who was overseeing the design for the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games Closing Ceremony. Ultimately, Himede chose the Olympic project, believing it would offer a broader platform for his skills. “The Olympics were global, and I decided to go for the Olympic Games,” he said. “It was a great taste of live events for me. When going live on television, you only have one go at it, and you can’t get it wrong. So the education behind rehearsal and communication and preparation was extremely valuable to me.” Following his experience with the Olympics, Himede relocated to New York, where he established Yellow Studio, a design firm specializing in major events such as the MTV Video Music Awards (VMAs), the BRIT Awards, and the 2023 Eurovision Song Contest. His work continues to push boundaries, blending artistic vision with technical precision to create unforgettable experiences for global audiences. As he prepares for the upcoming Emmy Awards, Himede reflects on his journey from the beaches of Sydney to the stages of international music festivals, all while maintaining a deep connection to his homeland. “I can honestly say I still call Australia home,” he remarked, acknowledging the enduring impact of his early years in the country.