Meet Sean Daly | Immersive Experience Designer / Arist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Sean Daly and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Sean, is there something that you feel is most responsible for your success?
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I’ve always loved creating spaces. As a deeply imaginative kid, I would build forts and set up clubhouses anywhere I could. My sister and I used to play restaurant and saloon bar, taking turns setting tables for invisible customers, mixing imaginary cocktails, and presenting them with plenty of accouterments.

The excitement of world-building remained an important part of my success when I first stepped onto a film set as an actor. Film sets, particularly those with a dedicated art department, are able to achieve anything. They involve intricate attention to both minute details and broad strokes to fabricate convincing realities.

I find the exercise and gamification of spatial design incredibly exciting.
I expect my clients to remain in collaboration with me as we progress toward their dream. For almost every project, I ask that we create inventive folklore and a compelling storyline that we can follow while fleshing out the design. This storytelling approach is a big part of my job. The soul of interesting design comes from perspective—having an idea of what the space is, where it came from, and who will populate it. By avoiding trends and honoring history, following the heart of the story and ensuring a compelling narrative will carry the process into some truly incredible places.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
Sean Daly, a Boston native, holds a Bachelor of Arts in comparative literature, with additional studies in studio art and professional acting experience. His formal education included an internship at the Morgan Library in New York City, which sparked a lasting passion for libraries and archival research.

Positive feedback for a film role at the Sundance Film Festival prompted Sean’s move to Los Angeles. He immediately enrolled at the Groundlings Theater, where he refined his skills in improvisation and sketch comedy while continuing his acting career. This period also led to him forming lifelong friendships with versatile colleagues who would later provide valuable opportunities and recommendations.

Over the course of a two year program, Sean collaborated with an American Film Institute (AFI) directing fellow, stepping into his first role as a production designer. He crafted character-driven sets and props for three thesis films and a director’s debut feature. During this time, he also began his dramaturgical study, learning to apply specific details and experiences to create compelling character-driven worlds through set design.

Sean’s talent as a designer quickly became evident. He was chosen to build backgrounds for stills photography, servicing photographers like Annie Leibovitz, Steven Meisel, and Steven Klien. His work brought life to magazine covers, editorial content, and advertising campaigns for global culture magazines.

Sean’s extensive experience and training led to an on going collaboration with Academy Award – nominated Production Designer Sara Greenwood (known for her work on Barbie, Sherlock Holmes, Beauty and The Beast). Sean’s unique strength lies in character-specific design, directly supporting lead actors by imbuing personal details and “actor business” into their projects.

For Robert Downey Jr.’s Sherlock Holmes, Sean served as the on-camera hand double, performing intricate tasks like picking locks, writing in period script, and immersing himself in the iconic character’s essence. When it came to Kate McKinnon’s “Weird Barbie”, Sean was instrumental in helping the team explore the doll’s inner monologue, refine script details, and infuse her distinct playfulness into the role.

Broadening his horizons, Sean is the principal designer and serves as creative director of Capri Marfa, a restaurant and performance space located in the small West Texas town known for it’s contemporary art spaces. The Capri won him a spot on Conde Naste Traveler’s List, and was also the subject of a book by Phaidon Press.

Sean’s design expertise extends beyond film into the hospitality, retail and product design sectors, highlighting his versatility. He has designed restaurants, including a notable collaboration for the Hammer Museum in Los Angeles, with acclaimed chefs Alice Waters, a pioneer of the farm-to-table movement, and David Tanis, known for his simple seasonal cooking. Daly’s portfolio also encompasses retail stores interiors, along with furniture, and fixtures in both New York and Los Angeles.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Los Angeles Times restaurant critic Jonathan Gold once called LA a “glorious mosaic.” It truly is, with so many distinct neighborhoods where people are proud of their culture, celebrating traditions through food and cuisine. I recommend elastic-waist pants when you venture to the San Gabriel Valley for all the dumplings and dim sum.

Come back to Downtown LA through Boyle Heights, where you should get fresh tortillas at La Princesita on Cesar Chavez. Make a pit stop for some art at MOCA or The Broad before continuing up into Griffith Park for views of the skyline.

There are about a hundred places I can think of for ice cream, but I think you should try Mashti Malone’s and make sure you sample their rosewater and lavender. If you have time, the Martini at Musso & Frank comes with a sidecar, and if you finish your dinner, I recommend the 1919 Sundae (yes, it’s more ice cream!).

The Academy Museum, the Craft Contemporary, The Petersen, and the newly opened LACMA are all in close proximity and soon reachable by Metro.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I have had great opportunities in Los Angeles often thanks to friends who make the leap and recommend me for a project. In particular the trust of Production Designer Sarah Greenwood, and Set Decorator Katie Spencer. A show of their incredible work is currently on view at the Academy Museum of Motion Picture until October 2026. They trusted me to execute the on camera character artwork for some of their most signature lead characters.
I also want to thank my supportive friends and family who are never surprised when I tell them what I am doing next.

Website: https://www.SeanDaly.art

Instagram: @seandalyartproject

Image Credits
Portrait Photo Credit: Sam Elkins
Interior Photo Credit : Douglas Friedman
Detail Photos Credit : Sean Daly Art Project