Overall Responsibilities
Manage and art direct a culturally diverse, multi-disciplinary design team of 12-15 people engaged in graphic, interior, architectural, landscape, wardrobe, show set, special event, lighting and entertainment design. Provide creative support for marketing activities, design support for ongoing adaptation of restaurant, retail, and attraction operations, advise and enforce brand and quality management programs.

Major Contributions

Established and staffed Universal Creative Japan on-site design team
Created Universal's first comprehensive show quality management program
Act as designated local authority for quality and brand issues
Developed and implemented park graphic standards program
Created bilingual online quality issue notification and tracking system
Established art direction policies and procedures
Established “Keep it Fresh” master plan

Major Projects

VIP Tour concept, script writing, wardrobe design, training, and implementation
Hollywood Christmas Spectacular, 2001 ~ 2003
Concept, design, and art direction for park wide Christmas decorations
Hollywood Halloween 2002
Concept, design, and art direction for the first Halloween event of its kind in Japan
The Mummy: Tomb of Terror maze: Adaptation, concept, detailed drawings, and art direction
Studio Tour of Horrors maze: Adaptation, concept, detailed drawings, costume design, and art direction
Peanuts character Halloween themed photo opporutnity
Hollywood Halloween 2003
Beetlejuice’s Haunted Beat concept, set, costume, and float designs for an underworld musical Halloween block party featuring live signing and dancing
Winter Rock Fest / Legends in Concert, 2002 ~ 2003
Snoopy Studios Store Expansion 2001
Snoopy Backlot Café Expansion/Peanuts Gold Rush Café (2002)

Universal Creative / Japan Project Team
Executive Art Director
March 1999 to April 2001
Los Angeles, California, and Osaka, Japan

Major Responsibilities
Park wide design art director charged with ensuring the delivery of creative content of all shows, rides, and attractions. Managed and art directed a diverse team from design development through installation, directing show set, prop, sign/graphics, music, film/video, and wardrobe design for this $1.7 billion theme park.

Major Contributions

On-site installation and art direction troubleshooting
Creative oversight of shows, rides, attractions
Audio and video production oversight
Japanese language adaptation oversight
Casting, show mounting and rehearsal oversight
Crew wardrobe design, art direction, and supervision
Graphic/sign design oversight parkwide
Worldwide prop selection/acquisition oversight
Managed creation of specialty art required for par construction (paintings, sculptures, etc.)
Managed creation of color boards and paint chip program park wide
Park wide Food Cart Design, contracting, fabrication and installation art direction
Park wide Merchandise Cart Design, contracting, fabrication and installation art direction
Project completed on time and under budget

Senior Show Art Director
November 1996 to March 1999
Los Angeles, California

Major Responsibilities
Lead designer charged with the development five attractions from core concepts (by others) into show set documentation, fabrication, and ultimately into entertaining attractions. Managed a 10-person team composed of architects, art directors, show set designers, and CAD operators

Significant Projects

ET Adventure
Large-scale, Suspended Dark Ride
Updated this Universal classic, which features animated figures, extensive scenery, animated props, rock work, integrated lighting and special effects, with added special effects, improved lighting, scenic backdrops, and refreshed music.

Animation Celebration
Live Theatrical Special Effects Show and Interactive Area
Conceived and designed animation oriented interactive post-show area composed of elaborately themed computerized kiosks, scenic backdrops, sculptures, and animated lighting. Managed out-sourced design firm (BRC) for development and integration of their show.

Motion Picture Magic
Cinematic three-screen retrospective
Art directed show-set and interior design development of this traditional pre-show, main, and post-show attraction designed to introduce Universal’s key film moments to the Japanese audience.

Monster Make-up
Live Theatrical Special Effects Show
Worked with writers and directors to create stage set, props, interior design, costume designs, and special effects to integrate with complicated show-action equipment for this show focused on making monsters. Art directed accompanying videos.

Television Production Tour
Studio Tour and live Foley Post Show
Art directed the interior and exterior design, worked with writers and directors to create polished concept, supporting sets, props, and special effects for the audience participation foley (sound effects) post show.

Sound Stage 22
Multi-purpose Venue and Exhibition Space
Supervising art director for the initial exhibit based on “The Flintstones in Viva Rock Vegas,” featuring sets, props, puppets, and costumes from the film.

Sound Stage 33
Catering Facility
Interior design of this multi-purpose venue themed as a soundstage

Club Universal (Project)
Membership Only Private Club
Creative lead for this media-intensive private club concept intended for corporate marketing partners, wealthy individuals, and their guests. Featured interactive dining stations, media lounge/bar, and private rooms.

The World of Alfred Hitchcock (Project)
Film and live Special Effects Show
Generated conceptual enhancements for this Universal classic to feature a surrealistic journey into Alfred Hitchcock’s mind

Experience | Universal Studios

Visuals