Another video jam packed with actionable insights! Teachability and being open to ideas are key for sure! Few people get anywhere with their eyes tightly closed.
In WDI, can anyone one just come up with a concept and pitch it. Or are people given a general direction/ concept and is it up to creatives to begin the storyboarding and visual experience? Also... would they ever replace the ride type of an attraction to make a more immersive experience? I.e. plussing haunted mansion with switching omnimover to trackless?
Thank you for this video. I’m currently working in software, but I truly love designing themed experiences and am using this time to increase my skills.
So pleased it was valuable for you! I post 2 new videos a month, so make sure you subscribe to be notified when my next one is available... Also, thanks for pre-ordering my course, “How to Work in Themed Entertainment”, I know you’re going to learn a lot! All the best, Theron
I’m so glad I found your channel! Thank you for sharing your experiences and knowledge. I’m a new interior designer, primarily working within residential design but my goal is to transition into commercial design and ultimately enter the entertainment sector. I’d love to know if you have any experience working with interior designers and/or architects or any tips when looking for jobs or internships specifically for someone with a design background like me. I think it would be great if you had special guests from different areas within the theme industry speak about their job roles and personal journeys too. Thanks again! -Gabriela
Gabby, thanks for your comment! Yes, I’ve worked a lot with Interior Designers and Architects- on almost ever project! My recommendation is to always learn as much as you can from as many sources as you can find. Don’t just be satisfied with “school”, pursue industry pros for their thoughts and guidance- because they’ve been there! To work in Themed Entertainment, you will need to understand the theatrical aspects of setting a scene. Some research in scenery design and film set design would be helpful- you don’t need a degree, just find books, articles and other courses to help! That should help you better understand how your work will fit the best in a themed environment. All the best!
Super interesting stuff! I'm a creative(associates in Fine Art) and I'm currently in school for mechanical engineering(it been a wild ride going from fine art to engineering) but I also help out at Haunted houses and interactive theater events up in New England. What's a good way to showcase all my skills when looking for an internship or a job in themed entertainment? Should I put together a portfolio like I've done with my fine artwork or is there a better way to do this? Thanks so much- Eric
Eric- thanks for your great feedback! The Themed Entertainment Industry is very broad and has room for many different design fields. Some of those are more technical (ride engineering, programming, etc) and some are more creative (production design, show design). I think you should always show the full breadth of your talent in your portfolio... if it’s a combination of art and engineering, show examples of both as individual talents but also show examples of the combination of those two fields into the specialized field you’re pursuing. Check out my other videos and follow my links to find even more content.
I’m a graphic designer and product designer. How do I tailor my portfolio to attract a themed entertainment role? All of my impressive projects are secret and the other projects are brand identity for small businesses. I feel like I’ll get overlooked. Do I just make my own themed entertainment projects
Thanks for writing Franchesca... this is a challenge that most everyone has when starting out. I would think you’d be able to reference the company, brand or venue you worked in without giving away the, protected elements of the work. Once you’re in an interview, you certainly can verbally represent more specifics of your work, especially if the venue or project is open to the public. One thing to remember is that the majority of “graphic design” in the Themed Entertainment Industry is dimensional signage; this is VERY different than traditional graphic design and certainly different than what is taught in school! There’s quite a lot of info available out there that can help on YT and others channels. My website and social channels offer additional insights/learnings if you’re interested. Wishing you all the best!
Hey Francesca!! Yeah I think you should totally make your own personal projects! Make graphic design elements that might belong in theme parks.. like Theron said. :) For portfolio reference check out.. "Melody Matheny" she is a Universal show set designer with a lot of graphic design experience.
Theron is a true brother in spirit and a terrific imagineer.
Another video jam packed with actionable insights! Teachability and being open to ideas are key for sure! Few people get anywhere with their eyes tightly closed.
In WDI, can anyone one just come up with a concept and pitch it. Or are people given a general direction/ concept and is it up to creatives to begin the storyboarding and visual experience?
Also... would they ever replace the ride type of an attraction to make a more immersive experience? I.e. plussing haunted mansion with switching omnimover to trackless?
Thank you for this video. I’m currently working in software, but I truly love designing themed experiences and am using this time to increase my skills.
So pleased it was valuable for you! I post 2 new videos a month, so make sure you subscribe to be notified when my next one is available...
Also, thanks for pre-ordering my course, “How to Work in Themed Entertainment”, I know you’re going to learn a lot!
All the best,
Theron
I’m so glad I found your channel! Thank you for sharing your experiences and knowledge. I’m a new interior designer, primarily working within residential design but my goal is to transition into commercial design and ultimately enter the entertainment sector. I’d love to know if you have any experience working with interior designers and/or architects or any tips when looking for jobs or internships specifically for someone with a design background like me. I think it would be great if you had special guests from different areas within the theme industry speak about their job roles and personal journeys too.
Thanks again!
-Gabriela
Gabby, thanks for your comment! Yes, I’ve worked a lot with Interior Designers and Architects- on almost ever project! My recommendation is to always learn as much as you can from as many sources as you can find.
Don’t just be satisfied with “school”, pursue industry pros for their thoughts and guidance- because they’ve been there! To work in Themed Entertainment, you will need to understand the theatrical aspects of setting a scene.
Some research in scenery design and film set design would be helpful- you don’t need a degree, just find books, articles and other courses to help! That should help you better understand how your work will fit the best in a themed environment. All the best!
Super interesting stuff! I'm a creative(associates in Fine Art) and I'm currently in school for mechanical engineering(it been a wild ride going from fine art to engineering) but I also help out at Haunted houses and interactive theater events up in New England. What's a good way to showcase all my skills when looking for an internship or a job in themed entertainment? Should I put together a portfolio like I've done with my fine artwork or is there a better way to do this?
Thanks so much- Eric
Eric- thanks for your great feedback! The Themed Entertainment Industry is very broad and has room for many different design fields. Some of those are more technical (ride engineering, programming, etc) and some are more creative (production design, show design).
I think you should always show the full breadth of your talent in your portfolio... if it’s a combination of art and engineering, show examples of both as individual talents but also show examples of the combination of those two fields into the specialized field you’re pursuing. Check out my other videos and follow my links to find even more content.
I’m a graphic designer and product designer. How do I tailor my portfolio to attract a themed entertainment role? All of my impressive projects are secret and the other projects are brand identity for small businesses. I feel like I’ll get overlooked. Do I just make my own themed entertainment projects
Thanks for writing Franchesca... this is a challenge that most everyone has when starting out. I would think you’d be able to reference the company, brand or venue you worked in without giving away the, protected elements of the work. Once you’re in an interview, you certainly can verbally represent more specifics of your work, especially if the venue or project is open to the public.
One thing to remember is that the majority of “graphic design” in the Themed Entertainment Industry is dimensional signage; this is VERY different than traditional graphic design and certainly different than what is taught in school!
There’s quite a lot of info available out there that can help on YT and others channels. My website and social channels offer additional insights/learnings if you’re interested.
Wishing you all the best!
Hey Francesca!! Yeah I think you should totally make your own personal projects! Make graphic design elements that might belong in theme parks.. like Theron said. :) For portfolio reference check out.. "Melody Matheny" she is a Universal show set designer with a lot of graphic design experience.