Exclusive: The World of Tim Burton
Written by Louise Parker
Credit: Matt Crossick/PA Media Assignments
★★★★★
A deeply personal, once-in-a-lifetime, look into Burton’s mind.
This October, London's Design Museum brings us into the dreamlike world of Tim Burton, a creative force whose name is synonymous with imagination, innovation, and a signature dark whimsy. From Beetlejuice to Edward Scissorhands, Burton’s films are both iconic and deeply personal, celebrated for their eccentricity and emotional resonance. But what makes this exhibition especially intriguing is how it reveals the man behind the films — a creator who, despite a career most can only dream of, remains refreshingly down to earth.
“I’ve always felt like an outsider, but that’s what drew me to telling stories about people who don’t quite fit in.”
As one of the few invited to an exclusive, pre-opening interview with Tim Burton himself, I was fortunate to experience the exhibit just after he’d seen it for the first time. Stepping into this immersive showcase felt like walking through one of his films. It’s a carefully curated, surreal wonderland that mirrors Burton’s own creative mind — and yet, it’s surprisingly intimate. In conversation with Tim Marlow, Chief Executive of the Design Museum, Burton spoke candidly about his process, his insecurities, and his long journey as a filmmaker. What struck me most was his humility, his self-awareness, and the fact that, even after decades of success, he remains his own biggest critic.
“I never really set out to be dark. I just wanted to create things that felt honest, and sometimes honesty is strange or unsettling.”
For someone who has created countless cult classics and whose work has shaped modern cinema and design, Burton is still grappling with the same doubts many of us face. "I tried many years to escape myself," he confessed. “But I think I’m now accepting of who I am, whatever that is.” It’s a sentiment that resonates deeply with any creative — this constant push and pull between self-expression and self-doubt, between embracing our quirks and trying to fit into the world’s expectations.
Credit: AP Photo/Alberto Pezzali
Burton’s Bravery and the Creative Journey
What I admire most about Burton isn’t just his talent, but his bravery. In the exhibition, we see sketches that started life on napkins and we learn that early in his career, Burton wrote and illustrated a children's book called The Giant Zlig, a deeply personal project that he sent to Disney, only to be rejected. To put yourself out there in such a vulnerable way is something many creatives fear, but Burton embraced it. That courage, that willingness to put his work into the world, even in its rawest form, is something I find deeply inspiring.
“Even after all these years, I’m still learning. Every project teaches me something new, shows me where I can grow.”
I can relate to that experience of sending off a project that’s close to your heart, unsure of how it will be received. It’s the same kind of leap every creative takes — whether submitting designs, launching a business, or even showcasing a personal collection. There’s always that doubt in the back of your mind, yet it’s in those moments of vulnerability where the most growth happens.
“For me, it’s never been about getting it perfect; it’s about the process, the feeling behind it. That’s where the real magic is.”
Burton’s creative journey is a testament to how important it is to stay true to your vision, even if the world doesn’t understand it right away. He talks about how his early drawings and films were often misunderstood, but instead of adapting to fit in, he carved out his own path, collaborating with like-minded artists and designers to bring his worlds to life. Collaboration is at the heart of Burton’s work — whether it’s with costume designer Colleen Atwood, who transformed his rough sketches into tangible, intricate designs, or with the stop-motion animators who turn his drawings into tactile characters.
Credit: AFP/Getty Images
An Artist Grounded in Process
What makes the exhibition so captivating is how it doesn’t just showcase the finished films — it brings us into the creative process. For Burton, drawing was and still is a way of expressing what words can’t. “I wasn’t an early verbal person, so for me, drawing was a way of expressing… even to myself,” he candidly shared. These drawings, done on everything from newspapers to napkins, are the foundations of his films, and the exhibition brilliantly highlights this through rooms filled with sketches, storyboards, and models.
“I tried many years to escape myself, but I think I’m now accepting of who I am, whatever that is.”
Despite embracing modern technology in filmmaking, Burton’s love for the tactile is palpable. He describes stop-motion animation as his favorite medium because of its artistic and handcrafted nature, and you can feel that passion in works like The Nightmare Before Christmas. There’s a special energy in seeing something that has been carefully built, painted, and animated frame by frame. That commitment to hands-on craftsmanship is something I deeply relate to as a designer, where every detail matters and the human touch is irreplaceable.
Credit: AP Photo/Alberto Pezzali
More Than Just the Visionary
What I took away from this exhibition is not just an awe for Burton’s visual world, but a newfound respect for the man behind it. For all his successes, he remains humble, grounded, and self-critical — traits that many creatives, including myself, grapple with daily. He’s achieved what most of us only dream of, yet his journey is filled with the same fears, doubts, and small triumphs that shape every creative path.
“I’m grateful I found a way to turn my weirdness into something meaningful. It’s a gift to share that with people who relate.”
For me, Tim Burton isn’t just a visionary filmmaker; he’s a reminder that it’s okay to embrace the messiness of the process, to take risks, and to stay true to what makes your work yours. The exhibition at the Design Museum offers not just a look at his art but a deeper understanding of the importance of collaboration, courage, and maintaining that childlike sense of curiosity. As Burton himself said, “I tried to escape myself, but I’m now accepting of who I am.” And perhaps that’s the greatest lesson of all — to find peace in the creative chaos.
If you're in London this autumn, this is an exhibition you simply can’t miss. Running from October 2024 to April 2025 at the Design Museum, it’s a rare chance to step into Tim Burton’s world, witness the behind-the-scenes magic, and draw inspiration from an artist who has truly shaped modern storytelling.
Credit: Studio Gabrielle
Get The Look
(Top to Bottom, Left to Right): Brigitte Stripe Pillow, Two Sided Carnival Fun House Glass Mirror, Handcrafted Welded Metal Floor Clock, Edward Scissorhands Publicity Film Still 1990 Johnny Depp Winona Ryder - Framed, Art Nouveau / Vienna Secessionist Ebonized Wood & Iron Bird Cage Batman Returns, Jon Brooks Root Creature 1988
