Dominoes are a fun toy that some children like to line up in long rows and knock down. Others use them to play games or create artistic setups that require patience and skill. Whether you’re a fan of dominoes or not, there are many lessons we can learn from these little rectangles.
We’ve all seen those videos of someone setting up a domino effect. They’re beautiful to watch as the pieces fall in a cascade of rhythmic motion. This is called a domino effect, and it’s a good example of how one action can lead to many other actions, like the ripples created by dropping water into a glass.
Hevesh started creating domino sets at the age of 10. Her YouTube channel has more than 2 million subscribers, and she’s worked on large projects for movies, TV shows, and events—including a Katy Perry album launch. She even set a Guinness World Record by creating a circular domino display using 76,017 dominoes. Her largest displays take several nail-biting minutes to complete, but once they’re set up, all that’s left is for the dominoes to fall according to their natural laws.
As a leader, Hevesh is constantly pushing herself to improve her craft and create more spectacular designs. But her biggest motivator is helping others enjoy the fun of dominoes. She says that if she can inspire people to find joy in something they love, then she’s accomplished her mission.
Another interesting aspect of her work is finding creative ways to make the most of the space she’s given. She’s found that having a limited amount of space forces her to think outside the box and come up with new, innovative ways to create domino effects.
While her creativity shines through in her work, Hevesh says that she’s most proud of the people she’s helped through her domino projects. She’s made friends and connections with people from all over the world—from Saudi Arabia to Sweden—through her YouTube videos and live events. She says that when she gives someone the gift of domino art, it’s a joy to see their expressions of happiness.
While we associate dominoes with a popular game, the word itself actually has an even more obscure origin. It’s believed that the name comes from the French word for “cape,” which may be connected to a garment worn with a mask at a carnival or masquerade. The game’s ebony black and ivory faces also suggest this connection. Later, the term came to mean a long hooded cloak that contrasted with a priest’s white surplice.