Creative Director, Art Director, Designer
About Me
For over 20 years I have been working in building and construction. I started my career in construction labor, becoming a licensed Contractor, and eventually getting my Master in Architecture. I spent a few years working on large scale retail, high-rise and urban Architecture. However, it wasn't until I started designing sets for the film industry and themed experiences that I found my true calling.
I love the complexity and variation in Themed Entertainment and am always looking for new and inventive ways to wow guests and defy expectations. Conceptualizing and Designing immersive environments allows me to marry my love of research, character, narrative and architecture (my undergraduate degree is English Literature). I excel at understanding the guests needs and translating that into a world that is visually compelling, immersive and accessible.
I currently co-lead the Warner Bros Discover Global Themed Entertainment, managing a team of managers, designers, and brand assurance reps to work with stakeholders to deliver compelling, trend-forward and brand accurate experiences to our partners and guests.
WARNER BROS. WORLD
ABU DHABI, UAE
Warner Bros World Abu Dhabi has a special place for me. I started on this project in Concept as a Set Designer, moving through the ranks in Production as the Sr Art Director, charged with delivering all 6 lands and over 29 attractions. I was the creative lead for over 20 subcontractors and managed IP reviews and approvals.
Now, as the Creative Director for Warner Bros Discovery, I manage the creative for this project and guide the expansion for Harry Potter, new attractions, live entertainment, and seasonal activations.
A re-envisioned and updated view of the centerpiece for Metropolis.
The central hub to the park with retail and F&B. This area is a re-creation of Hollywood glamour with an interactive roof and nighttime show.
These lands, with 4 rides and 3 retail and F&B locations, provided a wonderful opportunity for me to translate the cartoon environment into the real world.
I loved working on this facade, from design through fabrication. It has such great details and organic shape to it.
Creating the language for this rockwork was very rewarding. It was important to create rockwork that kept its soft shapes, and remained very true to the original animations.
This facade was also a great challenge. The story and layering for this facade provided an interesting challenge. It was important to make the facade look aged and graffiti-ed, without looking unappealing.
This ride system was one of the most challenging and complicated pieces that I worked on. The result is an immersive media and simulation ride using a new robotic KUKA arm system.
This is a very complicated dark ride that uses 3D media, animated props and a gaming system.
We received a Brass Ring award for Live Entertainment for this new Holiday Show
HARRY POTTER:
A RIYADH SEASON ADVENTURE
RIYADH, KSA
I was Creative Director and field Art Director for this ambitious pop-up in 2024-2025. Using inspiration from the films, themed experiences and studio tours, we worked closely with Tait to create an immersive, interactive and playful retail pop-up. With custom media, photo-ups and magic, we were able to bring Harry Potter to the region for the first time. We worked with several local and UK vendors to bring this project to fruition.
A faithful recreation of the film scale model with MDM props.
The WB - Abu Dhabi, hotel
ABU DHABI, UAE
Opened in 2021, The WB is a first-of-its-kind project for Warner Bros Discovery. As the Creative Director, I was responsible for driving the aesthetic with Digital Kitchen that would balance an upscale, elevated feel with family-friendly touch points. This project sets the template for the company's hotel and resort business going forward and it is a featured project for WB. Miral is the project owner, GAJ Architects did the interior design, Digital Kitchen created the themed design, and Hilton is the operator.
Parque Warner Madrid
MADRID, SPAIN
Parque Warner Madrid has been a jewel of Spain for over 20 years, and has a Theme Park and Water Park with over 43 attractions. As Creative Director, I have been driving the live entertainment, seasonal activations and new ride programs since 2019. In the past couple of years, we have opened a new themed Vekoma coaster, Batman: Escape from Gotham City; a new permanent scare maze, Crime Alley: Night of Chaos; and a new water park land for Aquaman and Black Manta.
Movie World Gold Coast
GOLD COAST, AUSTRALIA
As the Warner Bros Discovery Creative Director, I oversee all aspects of Creative Development for this park. Movie World Gold Coast has an amazing live entertainment program and excels at seasonal events. in 2024, we opened the Wizard of Oz precinct with 2 new family coasters, live entertainment and new retail. Pico Play was hired as the lead design and production firm for the Wizard of Oz ride.
The design and concept art was completed by Pico Play
The design and concept art was completed by Pico Play
A dueling family coaster that takes guests over the corn fields of Kansas.
A hanging family coaster that imagines a flight with the winged monkeys out of the Wicked Witch of the West's castle.
Pop-ups & Tool kits
As a Creative Lead for Warner Bros Discovery, I am charged with overseeing pop-ups, toolkits and convention design. The toolkit strategy is to create trend-driven, compact designs that can be used and adapted by licensees to help execute creative with our properties.
Working with Exhibitree, the Licensing Show I worked with internal stakeholders for all WBD properties to create a cohesive and dramatic design.
Working with Exhibitree, the Licensing Show I worked with internal stakeholders for all WBD properties to create a cohesive and dramatic design.
NON IP THEMED ENTERTAINMENT
I have been happy to travel the world to work on multiple different types of projects for Themed Entertainment. Whether on a small museum exhibit, a children's active play space, or a large indoor theme park, it has allowed me to enhance the space using narrative and smart design principles.
FILM SET DESIGN
Working with the Production Designer, I am able to use my experience and knowledge of 3D modelling and CAD to bring their vision to life.
ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN
Working with a licensed Architect, I am able to manage the CAD package and design clean, thoughtful spaces.
CV
Professional Experience
Warner Bros. Discovery
Creative Director, Global Themed Entertainment
April 2019 - present
As Creative Director, my role is to oversee all aspects of WBD Themed Entertainment for Harry Potter, DC, Looney Tunes, Cartoon Network and Discovery, with particular focus on our theme parks, hotels, restaurants and live entertainment in Europe, Asia, Middle East and Australia. In addition to the design, oversight and approvals for all aspects of a project, I work closely with local architects, engineers, developers and designers to develop initial concepts and narratives that align with the project's goals and guest expectations. In addition to specific project work, I worked with stakeholders to strategize systems and documents for global standards and consistency within our department.
Creative Art Direction & Show Design
Thinkwell Group
2012 - 2019
Beginning work at Thinkwell as a Set Designer, I moved quickly to Production Design and Art Direction, culminating in my role as Sr. Art and Creative Director at Warner Bros. World, Abu Dhabi. My role at Thinkwell was to cultivate the overall look of a project from Concept to Design Development, including parkwide facades, attractions, graphics and master planning. I have been responsible for direct communication and in-field coordination with many multinational companies, including Warner Bros., Google, Universal Creative, MGM, and Nickelodeon. I acted as the Head of Department from 2014 to 2016 and was key in department budgeting, setting up packages, contract requirements, and staffing.
Film/TV Art Direction & Set Design
2008-2014
Lead set designer for Los Angeles commercial production companies such as MJZ and Smuggler. Clients included Old Spice, Budweiser, Chevy, Got Milk, and Geico
Art Director on short film “The Day the Music Died”, director Bruno Miotto
Architecture
2007-2012
Tim Joslin, AIA
Lead designer and package manager for high-end residential projects in Los Angeles and New York City
Altoon+Porter Architects, LLP, Los Angeles, CA (now known as STIR Architecture)
Designer for an international firm, primarily working on large-scale retail projects and multi-use hi-rise buildings.
Construction
2001-2009
Southland Fire Protection
Engineering and designing systems for residential projects, including plan check and management of materials and budgets for projects.
Lloyd Nelson Construction
Laborer and foreman for small residential and business rehabilitation.
For more information about my professional experience, please get in touch.
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