Willo Perron: a problem solver

Visionary artist and designer Willo Perron, is known for his appreciation of fluidity and his love of experimentation. Embracing constraints as catalysts for innovation, Perron’s journey into design often begins with an unexpected turn, where hitting the wrong key can lead to a groundbreaking discovery. With the belief that there is no code that dictates how things should look, Perron has an ever-evolving practice that is driven by possibility.

Perron-Roettinger, the multidisciplinary design studio he co-founded with Brian Roettinger, embodies this commitment to pushing boundaries. The studio has shaped some of the world’s most significant cultural moments and collaborations-from the music tours of Jay-Z and Lady Gaga, to Rihanna’s Fenty shows, and work with design powerhouses Adidas and Stussy. Across formats, Perron’s work is distinguished by its scale, simplicity of form, and use of space. Approaching each project from a unique perspective, Perron crafts design experiences with a poetry that demonstrates the depth of his knowledge and the breadth of his skill-set.

hube: Modernist architecture often uses light as a tool to shape space. How does light influence your projects and your creative process?

Willo Perron: For live shows, lighting plays a crucial role. Often, my entire process revolves around how light interacts with a space. The same principle applies to interior spaces. It’s essential to complement and accentuate forms with lighting. In interior design and architecture, lighting enhances form, while in shows, it can hide elements, create impressions, or amplify the sense of scale. There are many tricks with lights in live performances. I enjoy the play of refraction and indirect light, where the source isn’t immediately obvious. This ambiguity is compelling. You might see the light’s source and recognise it, or it might just evoke a feeling. Much like sound, you sense it before fully understanding it. Indirect light works this way, eliciting a reaction before the mind comprehends why.