THE BUILT REALITY: FIELD ART DIRECTION & DESIGN
Delivering the Magic Through Cross-Functional Alignment
Magic is built on a foundation of professional collaboration. Delivering world-class guest environments requires strict adherence to brand guidelines, speed to market, and uncompromising physical constraints.
During my 15 years at Walt Disney Imagineering, I worked in lockstep with professional Project Managers, Producers, and technical teams to navigate the complex delivery of global destinations.
My focus centered on the complete arc from Experiential Design to Field Art Direction to validate the final physical reality was just as breathtaking as the initial concept. This deep immersion in world-class project delivery systems formed the operational backbone of my current practice and my commitment to design excellence.
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 spearheaded the visual refresh and production design for three theme park midway games. Collaborating with Pixar and Disney Production, 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 reskin 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, Production Design
Scope: Within a rapid 3-week turnaround, I delivered a dual-purpose production design and marketing illustration for a deeply immersive hospitality environment. The asset balanced rugged exterior textures with sleek interior aesthetic constraints, 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 and 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 Artist (Technical Field Credit)
Scope: During an 8-month tenure, I executed show set drawings, exterior paint schemes, and graphics for a highly anticipated theme park attraction. To ensure creative intent matched the physical build, I provided targeted field art direction and prop installation support directly on the active construction site.
Location: DCA, CA
Employer: Walt Disney Imagineering
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.