In Feature 038 of ‘Conversations Behind The Campaign,’ we sat down with David Samuel Ko, the founder and creative director behind full service interior & event design firm Maison Ko.
Since founding the Los Angeles-based studio in 2019, David has built a reputation for crafting immersive brand experiences at the intersection of interiors and fashion. Known for his meticulous eye and ability to translate a brand story and ‘world’ into a space, he has shaped standout activations for Summer Fridays, Tatcha, Emi Jay, and r.e.m. beauty.
In our conversation, David reflects on the balancing act between creativity and business, the realities of self-doubt in the early founder years, and his approach to both piecing together an event and determining a successful one.
Was design always part of your world growing up, or did your love for interiors and events evolve over time?
I would say subconsciously, yes. Growing up, I was always very interested in fashion and photography. Looking back, I realize that my appreciation for those two things helped shape my eye and creative pursuits.
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“I was never exposed to interior design or event design as a viable career path, yet inherently I wanted my spaces to be aesthetically pleasing.”
It never dawned on me that it was something I could make a living out of. It wasn’t until I landed my first job as a design assistant for an interior design firm that I found my love for interiors and how my creative eye could be used for something other than fashion. Event design came as a byproduct of being in the interior world, but was never a service I seriously considered. What started as designing starter homes for friends (who just so happened to run their own brands, too) turned into curating dinners for product launches, which led me to what I do now, which is full-scale production of events. My business has definitely evolved over the years, especially as I’ve learned how to navigate the industry and figure out where I fit. I love both types of design equally and for different reasons – I couldn’t imagine one without the other!
How did you first break into the world of interior and event design? Was there a moment when you knew this was what you wanted to build your career around?
As briefly mentioned, my first “big boy” job was as a design assistant at an interior design firm in Los Angeles. I was having a hard time finding a job right out of college, and the position at the firm sort of fell into my lap, and I was like, “Oh, I like this and this is fun for me… let’s see where this goes.” I started part-time for a few months but eventually became full-time and ended up working there for almost three years. By the time I left, I had taken on a junior designer role and had a newfound appreciation for interior design. But I was still struggling with whether I should pursue a career in fashion vs. interior design, and I took a few months off to figure out what I wanted to do. To be completely honest, I thought a career in fashion was the only industry for me, so I was pretty ignorant of everything else. Interior design caught me by surprise.
I realized I would be more professionally satisfied and valued as an interior designer, so I kept on that path and had a short stint at another design firm before I decided to start my own business. I was definitely ballsy at the time to have done that, but looking back, I am so glad I did. I was getting my own clientele and had a big enough ego to convince myself that I could do it. But hey, it worked out, didn’t it? I started Maison Ko in 2019… so it wasn’t until mid-2020 to early 2021 that I realized that this is where I was meant to be and what I was meant to be doing. What made me have that epiphany was how easy it was for me. Not in the literal sense, but nothing about my job felt hard or uncomfortable. I would wake up every morning, happy and excited for what was next, and ready for a challenge. I truly love what I do, and upon that realization, it dawned on me that I was fulfilled and felt like I had purpose.
Landing your first client is often the hardest part. How did you grow your business to the point of working with brands like Summer Fridays, r.e.m. beauty, Ilia, and Emi Jay?
By saying yes. A lot. I operated my business with a lack mindset and had crazy imposter syndrome. I think taking on more projects, no matter how big or small, made me feel better about the skills I lacked.
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“I started my business so young with not nearly as much knowledge as I have now. I felt like the underdog and had something to prove… mainly to myself. So I took on any project or opportunity that came my way out of fear of not being able to make ends meet.”
By doing so, my network not only grew substantially, but I learned so much about myself, the industry, and how to run a business. I began working on mid-to-high-end residential and commercial projects, with a lot of my clients being founders and high-profile celebrities. Eventually, once I had built rapport and trust, I started to get asked to do small events here and there.
I frequently worked with Emi Jay on influencer dinners and also helped creative direct their shoots at one point. They were one of my first brand clients. By the time my first big event project came across my desk, I had been working in the interior design space for 9 years. I like to think that I had shown enough of my capabilities, and my work caught the eyes of brands wanting to try something and someone different. In July 2023, the Summer Fridays team reached out, liking my design style and attention to detail, and brought me on to bring to life their Rich Cushion Cream event at Kohn Gallery. It was such a new and exciting experience (and challenge) for me that I was ready to take on. That event was the catalyst for where I am now.
Where do you draw inspiration from? Is it from fellow architecture and interior spaces or things completely outside your field?
I’m sure it would shock no one when I say fashion. To my core I am a fashion kid. I mean, how could I not be when it was my entire teenage persona?! I still remember forcing my mom to take me to Barnes & Noble to pick up the newest issue of Vogue and Nylon to sift through the pages and immerse myself in that world. When I’m not working, I’m shopping for clothes.
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“I’m constantly looking at [fashion] trends or how things are being styled and worn. The materials are all the same, just a different application.”
I always say that the way my brain works when I’m putting together an outfit is similar to how I would design a room. Fashion has always intrigued and excited me, so much so that I find myself equally as inspired by a Saint Laurent show as I am by a boutique hotel in Europe.
In your eyes, what makes for a perfect event? Are there any key interior features you always look to include?
It should be visually intriguing and a sensory experience. The best events are the ones that are experiential in nature.
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“You shouldn’t need to be told what you’re there for, you should be able to feel it first hand. By the visuals, of course, but how do you bring a product to life in a way that uses all five senses?”
When it comes to blending interiors and events, it’s all about ensuring every detail is thoughtfully considered so the space feels complete even when it’s empty. Spatial planning is so important for events. You not only need to be mindful that there is enough room for guests, but you also need to be aware of how elements interact with each other.
How much of the creative direction comes from the brand – and how much is your interpretation of the launch, product, or story they’re trying to tell?
I’d say it’s usually a perfect mix of both. So many of the brands I work with already have a strong brand identity and concrete consumer and audience insights that make it fairly straightforward to develop concepts around. What can be challenging, though, is how to make sure it’s still as fresh and exciting as the last.
Projects typically start with a brand sharing what the event is for (launch, product, etc.) and their marketing strategy. From there, we’ll take what they’ve given us, spend time conceptualizing, and then present how to make that ethos tangible.
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“I think we often have the upper hand because these brands have worked on these products from beginning to end, so we get to come in and, hopefully, bring a new perspective from a fresh pair of eyes.”
That said, it truly is a collaborative effort from the brand and my team, but when a brand allows us to fully run with an idea and trusts us, it’s the best feeling ever.
The best part of events is often in the details. What are some of your favorite elements to include?
Props and knick-knacks. It’s the most tedious to keep track of, but filling “holes” with vignettes of product mixed in with tchotchkes really helps make a space feel intentional and lived-in.
You’ve created incredibly polished events, but what’s something people don’t realize about the chaos or complexity behind the scenes?
The tossing and turning in bed the nights before an event, haha. I’m such a perfectionist that my anxieties the days leading up to an install are about trivial things like whether the couch rental will fit in the elevator that I’ve checked a dozen times, or if there was a small detail we overlooked. I’m also accustomed to the flexibility I tend to have on interior design projects when it comes to budgets and lead times. But as far as events go, I often have to sacrifice super high design to make a timeline and not eat up too much of the overall spend.
To you, what defines a truly successful and immersive event space?
Can I say when a guest grid posts the event on Instagram without sounding vapid? But in all honesty, seeing guests interact in the space and “getting it” makes me so giddy. When they see and understand the vision, it’s when I know we succeeded.
What’s your take on where event design is heading next – do you think we’re moving toward more maximal, more immersive, or more intimate experiences?
I’d say there’s a time and place for each. But I do think that more intentional activations are where I see the space heading.
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“The event space has become a tad oversaturated and a little unnecessary at times that I am starting to see brands pull back and lean more into community-focused activations.”
As someone who also gets invited to events by brands, the guest list is often the same or similar from brand to brand. Not saying influencers and creators aren’t appreciative, but it can sometimes be just “another event.” I think brands activating for their customers to experience, like an in-person pop-up, is something that may resonate more.
What has been the biggest challenge in your career and what advice would you share with someone going through something similar?
Knowing my worth and saying ‘no.’
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“As a creative, it’s easy to get lost in the sauce a bit. It’s this push and pull between wanting to work on cool shit and saying yes to any opportunity, but simultaneously being compensated appropriately and turning down things that don’t serve you.”
I’m such a ‘yes’ person that I find saying ‘no’ really hard sometimes. But I have to put myself, my team, and my business first and also have the foresight to know if something will come to bite me in the ass. My advice to anyone who is dealing with something similar is to find a manager who can handle all of the deals and business side of things. As a creative, you should be able to fully focus on your craft instead of crunching numbers. The support of a business manager helping you figure out upfront if something is worth the amount of time and effort you’ll put in is worth more than you think.
Where can our audience follow and engage with you on social media?
@davidsamuelko and @maison.ko
