Crazy director... would you really as a designer want anything other than “I see purple” to inspire you in re-inspiring this person? Colaritive effort, all parts of the design team make the overall
vision - this as opposed to some all so certain overlord that has your job laid out for you to just supervise the
build for.
Time to step up I’m thinking and design to the director’s concept but your design concept based on it. Study, study and study in all ways it takes you until you get what is needed in understanding design theory/statement and your own means and concept. This no matter where it takes you.
Design tips... your artistic design and thoughts is well beyond any tip or design anyone can give you. What is it you “feel” now about the production and script? Not ready yet in having this “
vision”, keep studying into it in all ways be it artwork, history both on Shakespeare and local history and or if appropriate for this presentation at the time theater history, other productions perhaps but only in getting a feel but not in copying what you like and making it work, only for study
etc. Your design - a great place to be in at this
stage of your life. Rely on the director and your teachers about the school to help guide your design and help you find what at any moment to moment or week to week that you should focus on, but defiantly it should be your design and not what others think other than basing it on the director’s overall
vision.
Your art. Sorry, perhaps the largest challenge of your life so far in making it that - your art, but that’s what you are attempting to do. Nobody can make art for you in your position or recommend anything more beyond your concept you share with the director and design staff. First make your statement and concept than with the above and talent make art.
One could only wish given your opportunity in making art and this is your greatest challenge now.
Yep, you might or might not make it this time, and or might need major help to pull it off but this initial experience is so personal I hope it is your work and growth. Might not be perfect in realization in the end given a concept found but you will learn so much from it that there is nothing to replace this realized design short of it not being your own design.
Do your homework, delve into all that interests you about it, don’t worry yet on the design if not there yet. If what I find is reality in design, just concentrate on study for now. At some
point all this stuff you learn in the day will some night realize itself in a dream you wake up from. AT that
point start sketching and stop studying other than where necessary and purpose built in finding an answer as opposed to sideline in study where it takes you.
For me I dive into study where ever it takes me, could be that of structural steel design, could be History of Scotland or listening to some opera Turodot while studying “Italian American Dreams”, in the end it’s the design you wind up with initially where after following what takes your interest in designing the show and understanding what it is about that gets you there.
Lots of books on the author also that could
gain you info, took an entire class in college on the author that was useful but perhaps useful or not depending on your situation dictated much by the director’s concept or rules your show is about.
Good luck and relax. This is what we dream of in being given the chance. Do the work and it will come we all hope in art.