Debbie Millman’s ongoing project “What Matters,” an effort to understand the interior life of artists, designers, and creative thinkers, is now in its third year. Each respondent is invited to answer ten identical questions and submit a nonprofessional photograph.
TJ Hoover is co-lead with Darrius Medina of See You Later, a duo behind some of pop culture’s most unforgettable live moments. The Los Angeles-based studio has quickly earned a reputation for bold, culturally attuned work that’s reshaping how live performance looks and feels, pushing boundaries and redefining the visual language of music.
What is the thing you like doing most in the world?
Designing moments that move people visually, emotionally, and collectively. Whether it’s a stage, a show, or a space, I live for the process of turning feelings into form. I want to build worlds that make people feel something deeply and immediately.
What is the first memory you have of being creative?
I was obsessed with sandbox games growing up. Sims, Minecraft, any tycoon-style game where I had a blank canvas to build on. I’d spend hours designing and redesigning structures, trying to get every detail just right. That was probably the beginning of my obsession with creating spaces that feel intentional and alive.
What is your biggest regret?
Designing for approval instead of impact. There were times I made choices that felt safe rather than true. I’ve learned that the bold path usually carries more risk, but it also leads to the work that feels the most honest.
How have you gotten over heartbreak?
By taking on a new project and creating again. I think designers naturally translate emotion into form, and heartbreak has its own visual language. Making something out of it has always been one of my ways to move forward.
What makes you cry?
I’m deeply empathetic. I feel things with people. A movie, a show, or even a conversation can hit me hard. I think that shows up in my work, too. When I’m designing a space, I’m always thinking about how someone will feel walking into it. That emotional thread runs through everything for me.
How long does the pride and joy of accomplishing something last for you?
A few hours, maybe. Then I start reworking it in my head, thinking about what I’d change next time. I’m trying to sit in joy a little longer, but I think most designers are wired to keep iterating even when we’ve already hit something good.
Do you believe in an afterlife, and if so, what does that look like to you?
I believe the work we do can outlive us. I just want the experiences I’ve created … the ones that made people feel something to keep moving through the world long after I’m gone.
What do you hate most about yourself?
It’s either perfect or it’s not. It’s either a win or a failure. I hold myself to impossible standards that I’d never expect from anyone else. I’m learning that being proud doesn’t have to mean being perfect, and that resonance often comes from imperfection sometimes.
What do you love most about yourself?
I can juggle a hundred ideas at once and still make space for other people’s perspectives. I believe in collaboration fully. I’m at my best when I’m in a room full of people bouncing ideas, pulling the best parts from everyone. That’s where the real magic happens.
What is your absolute favorite meal?
Something about the shared food late at night after a show. Still riding the high of what we just pulled off. Doesn’t really matter what’s on the plate. It’s about the people, the exhaustion, the pride, and the “I can’t believe we just did that” conversations.
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