THE BUILT REALITY:
FIELD ART DIRECTION & DESIGN
THE BUILT REALITY: FIELD ART DIRECTION & DESIGN
Delivering The Magic through Cross-Functional Alignment
During my 16 years at Walt Disney Imagineering, I executed everything from early concept development to complex field installations. Operating as a foundational support alongside technical teams, my core objective is simple: empower specialized talent to design freely while actively protecting the buildable reality.
During my 16 years at Walt Disney Imagineering, I executed everything from early concept design to complex field installations.
Operating as a structural anchor alongside technical teams, my core objective was simple: empower specialized talent to design freely while actively protecting the buildable reality.
Crafting world-class Guest environments requires navigating aggressive schedules and strict physical constraints.
Colortopia
Role: Creative Director (Temp)
Scope: Operating as a collaborative servant leader, I guided a 20+ person multidisciplinary team across a 15-month schedule to execute a $14 million interactive edutainment exhibit. I maintained strict creative guardianship during active field installation, validating that the design intent survived the physical constraints of the built space, coordinating bicoastal vendors, and overseeing a central digital twin.
Location: EPCOT, FL
Employer: Walt Disney Imagineering
Boardwalk Games
Role: Art Direction, Concept Designer
Scope: Over an 8-month accelerated timeline, I directed the visual refresh and production design for three theme park midway games. A collaboration between Pixar and Disney, I provided comprehensive field art direction and managed third-party fabrication vendors to protect the brand integrity from schematic delivery to final built execution.
Location: DCA, CA
Employer: Walt Disney Imagineering
Inside-Out: Emotional Whirlwind
Role: Art Direction, Concept Designer
Scope: Operating within a concept strike team on an aggressive 10-week schedule, I navigated strict structural constraints to translate a beloved IP into a buildable attraction concept. I developed the comprehensive concept package used for executive review, validating that the re-skin of an existing round-ride system was operationally plausible.
Location: DCA, CA
Employer: Walt Disney Imagineering
Star Wars Galactic Starcruiser Hotel
Role: Art Direction, Marketing Artist
Scope: Within a rapid 3-week turnaround, I delivered a dual-purpose production design and marketing illustration for an immersive hospitality environment. The rugged exterior textures would intentionally contrast the sleek interior aesthetic; functioning simultaneously as a public reveal and a strict design directive for production planning.
Location: WDW, FL
Employer: Walt Disney Imagineering
Space 220 Restaurant
Role: Marketing Art
Scope: Operating within a 3-person core visualization team on a 6-week schedule, I delivered high-end architectural renderings to secure executive & public buy-in for a major themed dining destination. Utilizing 3D underlays, the visual development successfully translated complex physical staging into a thrilling marketing asset.
Location: EPCOT, FL
Employer: Walt Disney Imagineering
Monster’s Inc.: Mike & Sulley to the Rescue
Role: Concept Designer (Technical Field Credit)
Scope: During an 8-month job shadow, I executed show set drawings, exterior paint schemes, & graphics for a highly anticipated theme park attraction. To validate that the creative intent matched the physical build, I provided targeted field art direction & prop installation support directly on the active construction site.
Location: DCA, CA
Employer: Walt Disney Imagineering
IP Stewardship
THE NDA VAULT:
THE NDA VAULT:
Out of strict respect for my clients,
select case studies operate under Non-Disclosure Agreements.
Access to this confidential portfolio is
available exclusively
via a guided live review.
JLD’s collaborative approach brings each client's unique vision to life, characterized by innovation and excellence. Every solution is crafted to surpass expectations, creating immersive experiences that connect with audiences and leave a meaningful impression.