The process of transforming a raw material into a finished good requires vision and skill. Likewise, the transformation of an empty room into an environment in which a story, characters, and emotions can be supported and heightened requires imagination and a proficiency in highly technical elements. The more effective the design of the environment, the greater the impact on the story and the audience. Whether the story calls for a simple park bench under a streetlight, or a boat caught in a rainstorm on the ocean, it is the job of the design team to create a believable environment that supports the needs of the production. The process of creating the environment was the focus of my studies at The University of California, San Diego.