“The Story of Sushi” marked our first foray into set design for video. Commissioned by Portland-based chef Kristofer Lofgren of Bamboo Sushi—the first certified sustainable sushi restaurant in the U.S.—the project aimed to tell the story of traditional commercial fishing practices and how Bamboo Sushi was taking a different, more responsible approach. 

Over the course of three months, Kathleen and I designed and built eight miniature sets, each representing a step in the sushi journey—from ocean to plate. The sets ranged in size from 2x2 feet to 10x10 feet, requiring us to work across multiple scales while maintaining visual continuity. 

To streamline production, several of the models featured interchangeable elements, allowing scenes to transition quickly and efficiently. Filming took place in our studio, where Kathleen and I assisted on set. Beyond fabrication, we also created the initial storyboards and design sketches during pre-production. One of the finished sets was later installed permanently at Bamboo Sushi.