Overview
University of Central Florida's MS in Themed Experience is designed to teach the unique creative skills, processes and concepts utilized to design and produce themed environments such as theme parks, zoos, aquariums, themed retail, dining, museums, virtual worlds and exhibitions.
Students gain first-hand experience in creating a space where guests interact with an environment designed to convey a narrative. They complete projects ranging from single kiosks to complex, multi-narrative theme parks where they develop an understanding of planning, production, story, design and concept development.
The following is a collection of coursework developed during my time spent studying at University of Central Florida.
Students gain first-hand experience in creating a space where guests interact with an environment designed to convey a narrative. They complete projects ranging from single kiosks to complex, multi-narrative theme parks where they develop an understanding of planning, production, story, design and concept development.
The following is a collection of coursework developed during my time spent studying at University of Central Florida.
Creative Direction
Concept Art
Experience Design
Special Edition short film
Elderfairy Pass
In this project, I seek to write drones into the story of a concert venue, and explore how they might enhance the natural beauty of a destination rather than distract from it.
Silus Alistair, an up-and-coming archaeologist discovers a colony of glowing nocturnal fairies who react strongly to music. In an effort to fund their research, Silus strikes a deal with an entertainment tycoon obsessed with spectacle and immersion, Whittaker Thompson.
Together, they open Elderfairy Pass, an outdoor concert venue harnessing the spectacle of the newly-discovered fairies. When the concert begins, the local fairies awaken, dazzling Guests with mesmerizing shapes in the sky. Excavation sites are retrofitted as merchandise stores and food & beverage offerings. Of course, Silus agreed to a "meet-and-greet" to speak with concert-goers and share their recent findings.
Designs developed using Cinema 4D, Unreal Engine, Photoshop, and some photo bashing (compositing the crowds, etc.)
Silus Alistair, an up-and-coming archaeologist discovers a colony of glowing nocturnal fairies who react strongly to music. In an effort to fund their research, Silus strikes a deal with an entertainment tycoon obsessed with spectacle and immersion, Whittaker Thompson.
Together, they open Elderfairy Pass, an outdoor concert venue harnessing the spectacle of the newly-discovered fairies. When the concert begins, the local fairies awaken, dazzling Guests with mesmerizing shapes in the sky. Excavation sites are retrofitted as merchandise stores and food & beverage offerings. Of course, Silus agreed to a "meet-and-greet" to speak with concert-goers and share their recent findings.
Designs developed using Cinema 4D, Unreal Engine, Photoshop, and some photo bashing (compositing the crowds, etc.)
Logo 3D modeled, textured, and rendered in Cinema 4D
Early "master planning" sketches
Full aerial render of the venue
Audience POV render
Elderfairy Village, the central hub overlooking the stage with food & beverage + merchandise
Live Entertainment in the form of character meet-and-greets
Excavation Bar built into the landscape overlooking the stage
Fantasea Lagoon
As a team of five, we concepted a fictional expansion land for Royal Caribbean's Perfect Day at CoCoCay island excursion in the Bahamas. Our goal was to expand the island's attraction capacity, creating a mix of medium-intensity family attractions and live entertainment. In doing so, the CoCoCay could be better positioned to compete with cruise experiences like Disney Cruise Line which heavily feature immersive and live entertainment.
The story evokes themes of a lost sea colony, with mermaids and mythical sea creatures interacting with Guests to draw them into narrative-style entertainment and attractions. There is a water coaster, a swimming with mermaids experience, water-based interactives, a singing siren bar, and plenty of food, beverage, and merchandise offerings.
While all five team members played an active role in the land's conception, I had particular involvement in designing the water coaster, Mythic Plunge, and determining the land's overall themes and motifs that manifest into the attractions' narratives.
Group members: Kellianne Robinson, Natalie Quaglieri, Meaghan Holland, Mary Crawford
The story evokes themes of a lost sea colony, with mermaids and mythical sea creatures interacting with Guests to draw them into narrative-style entertainment and attractions. There is a water coaster, a swimming with mermaids experience, water-based interactives, a singing siren bar, and plenty of food, beverage, and merchandise offerings.
While all five team members played an active role in the land's conception, I had particular involvement in designing the water coaster, Mythic Plunge, and determining the land's overall themes and motifs that manifest into the attractions' narratives.
Group members: Kellianne Robinson, Natalie Quaglieri, Meaghan Holland, Mary Crawford
Feasibly planning land expansion on the existing CoCoCay site
Swim-up bar featuring a singing mermaid siren
Interactive experience where Guests try on a tail and swim with the mermaids
Story-driven water coaster thrill ride
Story-driven queue line for Mythic Plunge
Variety of tails for Guests to choose to experience Enchanted Waters
Tales of the Spirits
Dark ride concept designed for Universal Creative Lab. Our task was to utilize an existing Universal Studios Florida attraction show building (Men In Black: Alien Attack), but create a new attraction based on A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens. We built key art, ride diagrams, and POV ride-through videos to convey the Guest experience.
With Sarah being a talented illustrator, and myself being skilled in 3D, we were able to streamline the creative process and achieve our visions quickly by delegating tasks towards each designer's strengths.
On the final day of class, we traveled to Universal Creative and pitched the concept to Universal Executives.
Group members: Sarah Conner
With Sarah being a talented illustrator, and myself being skilled in 3D, we were able to streamline the creative process and achieve our visions quickly by delegating tasks towards each designer's strengths.
On the final day of class, we traveled to Universal Creative and pitched the concept to Universal Executives.
Group members: Sarah Conner
Modeling the Portal Room in Cinema 4D
Left: Plan View of the three Christmas Yet to Come ride scenes in-venue, Right: Timed animatic showing ride vehicles passing through scenes
Blue Sky animatic
Left: Sarah's Victorian London inspired carriage ride vehicle, Right: KUKA arm 3D modeled translation of ride vehicle concept
Final Key Art render created in Cinema 4D, incorporating fog generated with EmberGen
Ride POV concept rendered in 3D
Class photo, Universal Creative Lab Summer '24
Result
Participating in the UCF Themed Experience MS program taught me invaluable skills preparing me to design for themed entertainment and immersive experiences. It took my skills beyond 3D and digital into the real world, where feasibility and physical constraints require creative design solutions. I have a well-rounded view of the themed entertainment industry in action, developed meaningful connections, and was mentored by some of the top leaders and retired executives in the industry.
