My Personal Project

[Theme Parkitect]

Hello! I don't think I've posted a thread in a while, but I have commented on some. As of know, I am in the IB (International Baccalaureate) program in my school. At the end of our Middle Years Programme, we must complete a "Personal Project" showing off what we have learned. I have a little more than two weeks and I would really enjoy doing something with theme parks since it is my passion and I hope to become an architect/graphic designer. We are supposed to use the things we love and be able to explain how the product we made ties in with the overall theme of the project. I thought "Who could be better to as about possible ideas than the Disney theme park fan community? " Any ideas? Some of the most used are things like a short story, poem, building things, etc. Thanks in advance!!

 

[The Empress Lilly]

Design a new set of EPCOT logos?

Design the look of a new FW pavilion about a subject you have some connection with? (Like: a future tech pavilion -> we'll name it Horizons -> design a pavilion with lines that seem to fade off into the horizon. Or 'motion' -> wheel-shaped pavilion)

Design a DAK expansion based on Avatar? (And send it to Joe to apply for a job while you're at it)

Design a proper pavilion for Mission: Space, in line with the design requirements of EPCOT. FW West = organic shaped pavilions. FW East = geometric shapes, not 'post-modern swirling 'look at me and my CAD program' lines plus oversized objects'. Send it to Eddie to show how it should've been done. )

Or, if you are pressed for time, or just want to write something, write your own narration to a SSE ride-through video?

 

[Timekeeper]

Hello! I don't think I've posted a thread in a while, but I have commented on some. As of know, I am in the IB (International Baccalaureate) program in my school. At the end of our Middle Years Programme, we must complete a "Personal Project" showing off what we have learned. I have a little more than two weeks and I would really enjoy doing something with theme parks since it is my passion and I hope to become an architect/graphic designer. We are supposed to use the things we love and be able to explain how the product we made ties in with the overall theme of the project. I thought "Who could be better to as about possible ideas than the Disney theme park fan community? " Any ideas? Some of the most used are things like a short story, poem, building things, etc. Thanks in advance!!

Well, what is it that you have learned? Just because you aspire to work as a architect or graphic designer doesn't necessarily mean that the elements of those industries are directly applicable to your academic coursework. The key to getting the best grade is to understand exactly what the instructor wants and tailor your results to his/her expectations. You mentioned "product we made," so is that something that you've already made or are you looking to make a new product with this project? And by "product," do you mean a consumer item that can be purchased at a retail location, or are you using the term "product" to loosely describe anything that you create, including building architecture? (I don't typically think of buildings as "products.")

We will be better able to provide you with feedback if you can better articulate your project goals.

 

[Theme Parkitect]

Well, what is it that you have learned? Just because you aspire to work as a architect or graphic designer doesn't necessarily mean that the elements of those industries are directly applicable to your academic coursework. The key to getting the best grade is to understand exactly what the instructor wants and tailor your results to his/her expectations. You mentioned "product we made," so is that something that you've already made or are you looking to make a new product with this project? And by "product," do you mean a consumer item that can be purchased at a retail location, or are you using the term "product" to loosely describe anything that you create, including building architecture? (I don't typically think of buildings as "products.")

We will be better able to provide you with feedback if you can better articulate your project goals.

Yes I was using product to describe the project as a whole. And the what we have learned part is tricky. So. In the IB programme, we are taught at the highest level. But, we also need to understand other things, like people, philosophy and the "theory of knowledge." The point of the project is for it to have nothing to do with actual book knowledge, school work, but instead things like human ingenuity, service, community, environment, the approaches to learning and things like that.

 

[Theme Parkitect]

Design a new set of EPCOT logos?

Design the look of a new FW pavilion about a subject you have some connection with? (Like: a future tech pavilion -> we'll name it Horizons -> design a pavilion with lines that seem to fade off into the horizon. Or 'motion' -> wheel-shaped pavilion)

Design a DAK expansion based on Avatar? (And send it to Joe to apply for a job while you're at it)

Design a proper pavilion for Mission: Space, in line with the design requirements of EPCOT. FW West = organic shaped pavilions. FW East = geometric shapes, not 'post-modern swirling 'look at me and my CAD program' lines plus oversized objects'. Send it to Eddie to show how it should've been done. )

Or, if you are pressed for time, or just want to write something, write your own narration to a SSE ride-through video?

I REALLY like that I idea, thanks! I think maybe I could redesign all of them or maybe even do logos and a little model for a new Park? Thanks for the other too! I especially like the fall back one :lol:!

 

[Timekeeper]

Yes I was using product to describe the project as a whole. And the what we have learned part is tricky. So. In the IB programme, we are taught at the highest level. But, we also need to understand other things, like people, philosophy and the "theory of knowledge." The point of the project is for it to have nothing to do with actual book knowledge, school work, but instead things like human ingenuity, service, community, environment, the approaches to learning and things like that.

All of that sounds great. And given the key points that you provided, I fear that recycling an existing theme park or attraction might "miss the mark" a bit. How about a project that - in itself - proposes a larger project that could one day be implemented. For example, you could create a "blueprint" (so to speak) for a program that uses the younger generation's interests in theme parks and passion for creativity to establish an active network of young contributors who each participate in a specific role to create collaborative architecture, design, etc. The various software programs that you would (hypothetically) create and implement would work to gather valuable data from the workflow and turn it into "productive" information used as a canvas for further development of things more relevant to the community, environment, etc.

The world doesn't need a better theme park ride, it needs better hospitals, schools, a better environment, etc. But you could propose that the creative process - initially geared towards the things that you love about Disney - be used to adapt various aspects of what is being created into more relevant application.

In other words, rather than creating a new Disney ride and using that as your project, how about creating the blueprint for how you might build the next generation of "community imagineers," who will in turn build our (and their own) futures...?

You could call it "Project: Tomorrow's Child" or something like that.

 

[Timekeeper]

Also, study this article:

http://www.themedattraction.com/theme_design_vs_architecture.htm

Peter Alexander is a name that you should become familiar with.

Here's an excerpt from the genius:

In theme design we are designing a “show,” not a place as in architecture. It doesn't matter whether our “show” takes place in a theme park, a hotel, a restaurant or a store, it's still a “show,” not a building or complex of buildings. We generally start the design process by selecting an intellectual property as the basis of our theme, and then develop those stories to build a brand. We try to present the brand in formats (i.e. ride, show, hotel, shop, etc) that capture the brand's essence and appeal to the demographics of the guests we want to attract. We focus our budget on what the guest will primarily perceive and those elements that will present the strongest “show.” Architecture can be an important part of this success, provided it is viewed as a part of the overall show, and not an end in itself. If we are successful in integrating all the design disciplines—everything from script writing to engineering to architecture—to “tell the story,” our design will create positive emotional responses in the guests and a successful project for the owner.

 

[Theme Parkitect]

All of that sounds great. And given the key points that you provided, I fear that recycling an existing theme park or attraction might "miss the mark" a bit. How about a project that - in itself - proposes a larger project that could one day be implemented. For example, you could create a "blueprint" (so to speak) for a program that uses the younger generation's interests in theme parks and passion for creativity to establish an active network of young contributors who each participate in a specific role to create collaborative architecture, design, etc. The various software programs that you would (hypothetically) create and implement would work to gather valuable data from the workflow and turn it into "productive" information used as a canvas for further development of things more relevant to the community, environment, etc.

The world doesn't need a better theme park ride, it needs better hospitals, schools, a better environment, etc. But you could propose that the creative process - initially geared towards the things that you love about Disney - be used to adapt various aspects of what is being created into more relevant application.

In other words, rather than creating a new Disney ride and using that as your project, how about creating the blueprint for how you might build the next generation of "community imagineers," who will in turn build our (and their own) futures...?

You could call it "Project: Tomorrow's Child" or something like that.

What exactly do you mean by that?

 

[Timekeeper]

What exactly do you mean by that?

Have you ever seen the movie TOYS? The toy factory uses children who are fluent in playing video games to remotely pilot real weapons of war. The kids think they're just playing games, but they are unknowingly participating in battle.

My suggestion was that you propose a similar premise that utilizes user creativity for the advancement of our global society, instead of war and destruction.

Celebration is sort of an example of people who were associated mostly for theme parks getting together and building a community. Well, sometimes the best ideas come from young people because their brains don't think in terms of so many restrictions like us adults tend to do.

 

[yensid67]

. How about a project that - in itself - proposes a larger project that could one day be implemented. For example, you could create a "blueprint" (so to speak) for a program that uses the younger generation's interests in theme parks

As Time Keeper mentioned create a 'blueprint' for a Disney program that can be implemented...What is Disney ultimately known for? CUSTOMER SERVICE!

Build a Customer Service 'blueprint' and how it cold be implemented in the younger generations theme park experience! I can atest to the result of working for Disney...when I moved back home and went for a job...I HAD TO TURN DOWN JOBS BY THE HANDFUL! When I asked what made them offer me the jobs, a majority of them said because I worked for Disney and they are known for their customer service!