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Art Above the Rest

John Piper talks about making the world’s most famous balloons 

SCHOLASTIC ART: What is your job?

John Piper: I oversee the illustrators, designers, and sculptors who make Macy’s events happen. A big part of our job is making the balloons for the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.

SA: How did you get your job?

JP: I started as a carpenter working on the floats for the parade. Then the head of the studio asked if I wanted to work on the balloons. Of course I did! When he retired a few years later, he handed me the reins. 

Technical drawings help artists develop balloons like Snoopy and Woodstock.

SA: How do you make a balloon?

JP: An artist makes a pencil sketch and then turns it into a 2-D scale computer drawing. Artists use the scale drawing to build an armature, which is like a metal skeleton. They add clay, sculpting it to look exactly like we want the character to look in its flying pose. Then we make two rigid molds from the clay. We paint one mold to look just like the balloon. The designers draw all the technical information on the surface of the other mold. This becomes the blueprint for the balloon. We translate this information to create patterns for the fabric that will become the balloon. 

SA: What science is involved in making sure the balloons float?

JP: You have to work out the physics of the weight of the fabric and the paint versus the lift of the helium inside the balloon. The smallest balloon we can make is a 10-foot-diameter sphere. Anything smaller won’t float because the helium won’t have enough lift to counter the weight of the fabric and paint.

SA: What do you love about your job?

JP: I love the moment when the parade begins and all the spectators start cheering. There is nothing so exhilarating as hearing three-and-a-half million people cheering in appreciation of your work. 

SA: Do you have advice for students who want to be production designers?

JP: Always be open to unexpected opportunities. You never know which path will lead you to happiness.

Career Profile: Production Designer

Salary:

Production designers earn between $55,000 and $75,000 per year, depending on location and experience.

 

Education:

Most production designers have a bachelor’s degree in production design.

 

Getting Started:

  • Volunteer at a theater to get practice building sets and props.

  • Study different design sensibilities that you can apply to your work.

  • Turn your favorite cartoon characters into designs for balloons in your sketchbook.

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