The World of Tim Burton at The Design Museum 2024

Tim Burton's "weird beautiful, fun house" has officially arrived at The Design Museum, and it’s an experience that’s absolutely worth seeing. It feels like stepping into his imagination...

The Design Museum's long-awaited exhibition, The World of Tim Burton, offers a fascinating look into the wonderfully eccentric mind of one of cinema’s most imaginative directors.

Known for his unique gothic aesthetic, quirky characters, and darkly whimsical worlds, Burton’s work has influenced generations of filmmakers and artists. This exhibition truly celebrates his creative journey, showcasing an extensive collection of personal sketches, storyboards, props and artwork that provide a rare insight into his process.

From the moment you enter, the atmosphere is unmistakably "Burton-esque"— the dimly lit corridors with eerie music make the exhibition feel like a surreal ghost train ride as you move through it.

Fans of Burton’s iconic films, such as Edward Scissorhands, The Nightmare Before Christmas and Beetlejuice, will be thrilled to see original props and costume designs up close. The exhibition goes beyond just his movies, it also shows his early work, including lesser-known sketches and illustrations that reveal his evolving vision as an artist.

Something you will notice early on is how the real focus of the exhibition is on showcasing the creative process behind Burton's iconic films rather than just the final pieces themselves.

You can see the evolution of Burton’s imaginative worlds, from rough sketches and early concepts to detailed storyboards and costume designs. It gives you a behind-the-scenes look at how his unique ideas develop into the fantastical films we know and love, especially the stop-motion processes.

It was particularly interesting to see classic Tim Burton films like Beetlejuice showcased alongside films where Burton played a more collaborative role, such as Alice in Wonderland Through the Looking Glass.

His distinct touch is unmistakable in both contexts, and the exhibition offers a rare opportunity to trace his creative DNA across a variety of his films allowing you to question and interrogate his style.

We were incredibly fortunate to attend the Q&A session with Tim Burton before the exhibition, which provided fascinating insights into his creative mind and personal connections to his films. Hearing Burton speak in person was a rare treat, as he shared stories about his career and artistic journey.

In essence, The World of Tim Burton is a must-visit for both die-hard fans and anyone intrigued by Burton’s imagination. The Design Museum has done an excellent job curating a journey into the weird, whimsical, and wonderful world of a true visionary.

Something to look out for is ‘The Carousel’ which is Burton’s favourite piece in the exhibition. A top tip from LLW would be to watch the short film at the end which will answer any creative questions.

London Design Museum
Tickets from £22. Concessions available.
25 October - 21 April 2025
Allow yourself plenty of time. This is not an exhibition to be rushed.