What Coraline Taught Me About Design, Fear, and Imagination

The first time I watched Coraline, I was fascinated and unsettled at the same time. The movie is whimsical, but also eerie. Beautiful, but also dark. And that tension is exactly what makes it powerful.

For me, Coraline is a masterclass in design, fear, and imagination: lessons that apply far beyond film.

What Coraline Taught Me About Design, Fear, and Imagination by Mariana Lema

The Power of Atmosphere

Every stitch of the film is designed to evoke a feeling. The real world is muted and gray, while the Other World is vibrant and enchanting. The contrast pulls us in and shapes our emotions. In tech and design, the same principle applies: atmosphere matters. A website, an app, even a campaign has a tone that either invites users in or keeps them at a distance.

Fear as a Creative Tool

Fear in Coraline is not just a reaction; it is a driver of the story. The uncanny buttons-for-eyes make us uncomfortable because they tap into something primal. In creativity and tech, fear can be just as powerful. It can highlight risks, reveal tension, and push us to confront uncomfortable truths, all of which can fuel innovation.

Imagination With an Edge

What makes Coraline unforgettable is its imaginative detail. Every corner of the world feels handcrafted, from the button-eyed dolls to the garden that blooms into Coraline’s face. Creativity in design and technology thrives when it feels this intentional, when imagination is not random, but sharp and deliberate.

Coraline taught me that creativity is not about being safe. It is about leaning into the tension between beauty and discomfort, and using imagination to transform fear into something meaningful.