OUGD602 - PPP3 - Disney Pro Interns continued (2)

A few weeks ago now, I received a final email from Disney, confirming that I wasn't accepted for any of the four different internship roles I applied for. 
It's definitely disappointing that I wasn't pursued at all but I do factor in that there must have been hundreds of applicants for each position, that my portfolio wasn't very strong at the time of submission, and now - I have made other plans! I will be working all the time at Chester Zoo this summer and am taking the opportunity to further build my portfolio in my spare time. And have some time off! 
I also suspect that because I wasn't a US citizen/ student I was probably less favoured as me getting there wouldn't be convenient, which I understand logistically would be really difficult.

I will continue to pursue the career of my dreams and at some point in my life I WILL WORK FOR DISNEY (again).

OUGD602 - PPP3 - Disney Pro Interns Continued

A couple of weeks ago, I emailed Disney concerning my 4 different role applications at internships in the USA:

'Hello there, 

I applied to four different role openings on the Disney Pro Interns each over a month ago now, and I'm panicking thinking that Disney require some sort of correspondence from me, although I cannot find any emails or notifications - I think I'm just concerned as to how long it has been since I applied, as it's leaving very little time for me to acquire a working US visa, should I be accepted (The roles start in May/ June). Three out of four of the applications are 'in progress' which is fabulous, but I'm just wondering what's going on, I suppose! 

Thanks a lot, I look forward to your reply,

Sarah Heal'

To which I received this reply:

This reply has made me very anxious, as I said 'yes' to having work authorisation as I was eligible to get a VISA as I am CRB checked etc but I don't actually have one. To be honest, although these are my dream jobs, they just start so soon after the course (some start in early June or even end of May, where I'd be shaving off the time to put together my final exhibition and I was forfeiting that to be able to pursue the job, but if I only get two weeks notice, there won't nearly be enough time to get a visa and all the flights and living arrangements etc.

Although there was nothing stopping me from applying to these positions - I think in retrospect that the positions were intended for peoples already living/ studying/ working in the USA and not really intended for international candidates. I just wish I was one of those people in the USA already! 

I don't really know if I am able to continue with these internships as it seems near impossible to achieve in such a short time. So I'm leaving this plan for the time being and just see how it goes, and not stress about it. I may look at more internship opportunities that don't start so soon, maybe in about 6 months or so!

OUGD602 - PPP3 - A design presence/ Personal Branding - Updated CV and Covering Letter

As outlined in the previous post I've made today for applying for Disney (again) I just wanted to show how I've updated my CV and covering letter since, well the last time I used it - when I applied for Disney International programs in summer 2013.

Here is my old CV and covering letter;

This is not the last one I designed, but the last one I used! I designed it in the summer of 2013 during my last online application. Looking at it now it's just awful, but I can see that I wanted to stand out, I imagined a big pile of CV's and wondered how to make mine the most garish, I guess.

I then designed this one last year: - 

But never got around to using it. I like what I designed but looking at it it still looks rather juvenile, again, in an attempt to create something a bit different and again - garish! I like the colours and nod toward mid-century style but I think it narrows my audience a bit too much and it needed to be made more simple.

Here is the CV I designed/ used most recently for my applications at Disney Pro Interns:

I borrowed elements of the mid century style used in my last CV but the format just wasn't practical, plus I think that this simplified version is more modern and better suited for it's purpose.

OUGD602 - PPP3 - Applying for an MFA Continued & Applying at Walt Disney Pro Interns

Back in November, I was exploring all the many options to take upon departing the course in May/ June, and as you can see in this post here, one of the routes I investigated was the idea of becoming a US student on a MFA course studying Themed Entertainment Design. When I came into contact with professionals in the industry whilst over there in the 'States, it became apparent that it would be more straightforward to be involved in internships at Walt Disney Pro Interns as a US student, as that's what most people assumed I was and when I corrected them, I got the impression that my entry into the company as a professional would not be so sure.

My last word on this blog about the topic is that I would have to investigate the possiblity of deferring my application to 'fall' of 2016, because it would give me a year in industry to not only raise funds, but to further my portfolio and industry knowledge whilst having a break from education. But now, I'm not so sure that this route is entirely necessary (many others have made it into the industry without acquiring this MFA degree at all) and have cancelled my application altogether for the time being. 
Sometime in years to come I may apply again, but whilst 

• the course is still in it's infancy
• i'm hungry to get out in the working world with a break from education
• I'm not quite ready to move over to the 'States on a more permanent basis
• My funds aren't satisfactory for this kind of move

...I think it's best to postpone this idea for another time in my life.

Having said all of this with my sensible brain on, I'm still longing for this fast-paced, dream career in the US in the Themed Entertainment industry, and have applied to a series of internships on Disney's 'Pro Interns' program:

As you can see, the site is aimed at 'students and recent grads' so I jumped at the chance to apply. I felt like I would have quite a good chance at it because of having worked there last summer. (then again, it is a humongous company...)

I applied to 4 different internships (the Disney J1 Cultural Exchange Program is my International College Program I did last summer):

The first I applied to was an internship at Disney's Yellow Shoes. DYS is responsible for all of the marketing for the Disney Parks - I really love their work cos it's so playful and magical, not just like regular advertising (obviously it's amazing, it's Disney!) I first saw their work in 2nd Year when we were studying web design and came across their website for promoting the New Fantasyland section of the Magic Kingdom in Walt Disney World Resort in Florida:

www.findingfantasyland.com

As you can see, it's experience based design that leans more toward the Themed Entertainment Industry rather than marketing or advertising. 

I was also drawn to it because it asks for a Graphic Designers' role, which I will obviously be qualified in upon arrival.

The 'role' description is as follows:

Yellow Shoes Assoc Interactive Art Director/Design Intern, FL- Fall 

Segment Overview: Since its opening in 1971, the Walt Disney World Resort near Orlando, FL has grown to feature four theme parks – the Magic Kingdom Park, Epcot Disney’s Hollywood Studios, and Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park. In addition, more than 20 themed resort hotels, two water parks, and the Downtown Disney Area, a daytime and nighttime entertainment complex, are part of the Walt Disney World Resort.

Department Overview: Do you live for the Big Idea? Do you know how to make something emotional that people will want to connect with? Do you geek out about typography and design? If so, we’d love to hear from you! We’re Disney Yellow Shoes, the award-winning, in-house creative shop for Disney Destinations. Every day, we have fun creating compelling, memorable work for one of the greatest brands on the planet, and we’re looking for one very talented Art Director/Graphic Design Intern to join us. For an example of one of our recent projects please visit www.findingfantasyland.com

Obviously, it says 'interactive' which means it will concern more digital design. Even though I've worked with mostly print-based design in the past, I've jumped on this with both feet as I know I'll be working in a team and that I'm also interested to learn digital design and animation - you can do a lot more to create an experience for the user if it's digital or interactive!

I also applied to a very-similar-but-not-the-same position at DYS but not interactive or digital.

I applied to another Role opening in the Creative Entertainment Department, which is amazing too (I'm torn!) because it concerns things created for actually inside of the park, which is really where I dream to be, if I'm honest. 

the role description is as follows:

Creative Entertainment Art Design Internship, FL/CA – Fall 2015

Segment Overview: The Disney Theme Parks and Resorts are not just home to Disney’s beloved characters but are also the place “Where Dreams Come True.” The Walt Disney Parks and Resorts segment traces its roots to 1952, when Walt Disney formed what is today known as Walt Disney Imagineering to build Disneyland Park in Anaheim, California. Since then, Walt Disney Parks and Resorts has grown to encompass Disney Cruise Line, Disney Vacation Club, and Adventures by Disney, and five resort locations (encompassing 11 theme parks) on three continents.

Department Overview: Walt Disney Parks & Resorts Creative Entertainment is a dynamic entertainment environment, offering nothing less than the perfect show for millions of guests worldwide. An integral part of this organization is the Show Development & Production Design department that is responsible for the development of designs/scenic treatments/logos/graphics for live shows including parades, stage shows and special events on and off the Disney property and onboard the Disney Cruise Line.

How exciting is that! As I interpret this description, it says to me that I would be producing Graphic Design for the ever-evolving shows, parades and special events in all of the parks. It is almost the same as creating designs for the rides themselves, as you know is my ultimate career dream! 

My final application is the one I'm longing for the most as it is at Walt Disney Imagineering - the team responsible for all of the Graphics and signage for the rides, shows, environmental designs WITHIN THE PARKS. Dream job alert!!

Here is the role description:

Graphic Design Internship, Orlando, Summer 2015

Segment Overview: Walt Disney Imagineering is the master planning, creative development, design, engineering, production, project management, and research and development arm of The Walt Disney Company. Its talented corps of Imagineers is responsible for the creation - from concept initiation through installation - of all Disney Resorts, theme parks and attractions, real estate developments, regional entertainment venues, and new media projects. Imagineering is headquartered in Glendale, California, with affiliated offices and facilities in North Hollywood, California and Celebration, Florida; as well as satellite branches at every Disney Theme Park location around the world.

Department Overview: This department is the Environmental Graphic Design team within Walt Disney Imagineering that develops signage and show graphics to help tell the stories throughout the Walt Disney World Resort.

To me, this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity that I should take whilst I am still a student and is available to me in the position I am in. As of today, 2nd March 2015, three out of the four applications are 'in progress' which I am delighted about. I'm so excited cos if I'm accepted it should blend seamlessly at the end of my course at Leeds. It would be the cherry on top of a fantastic three years and a springboard into the rest of my life in my dream job! 

OUGD602 - PPP3 - A Design Strategy - Disneyland Paris Graphic Design

I just wanted to post this on my PPP blog as it is a video I've been watching a lot recently. The lady in the video is Julia Gregory, and she is a Graphic Designer at Walt Disney Imagineering for Disneyland Paris. 

It wasn't until I saw this video a couple of months ago that I truly understood where I could fit into Themed Entertainment Design with the career path/ degree I have followed. I love this video because she is creating the work I wish to be creating, in the job I wish I had! She is so inspirational to me, I wanted to get into contact with her - but cannot seem to find her anywhere! I posted the video on my LinkedIn account but no luck!

I have since been using this video to direct myself in my studies and in my Context of Practice module. 

OUGD502 - PPP - Studio Brief 1 - Design Strategy - Twitter friends

OUGD502 - PPP - Studio Brief 1 - Design Strategy - Twitter friends

An unusual title for a blog post, I know, but I have been actively making friends (I don't want to call it networking or connections because it's really informal) over Twitter with people who live and work in the attractions industry in Orlando! I have met some incredibly charming and warm people who have so much time to help you and talk to you it's really flattering and inspiring. 

I acquired Twitter purely to create an active feed of the people and events happening in Orlando, Florida and not really for personal use like my Facebook account. I have followed over 500 accounts to get a real broad range of creatives, companies and organisations that have helped me shape together a sort of calendar of things I can do this summer.

It has also pointed me towards some great blogs - first up I will talk about is Brice Croskey's Progressland. Words cannot describe how intelligent and intellectual this blog is it's simply amazing. The blog's nature is a more theoretical look at the themed entertainment industry and 'The Art of Environmental Design and the Architecture of Reassurance'. It's so brilliantly written and to find out that he is a student just starting an MFA is even more impressive. This MFA is only the MFA in Themed Entertainment I am interested in pursuing held at SCAD in Savannah, Georgia. The blog invites you to contact him via email - so I did!

And such an amazing piece it is! 

I had had troubles contacting SCAD requesting a prospectus and had no replies from them at all, so this was reassuring/ further worrying to hear I guess!

 It was great to hear him confirm that I will gain valuable experience just from working in Operations at the Disney Parks.

I had heard of the Themed Entertainment association through being subscribed to InPark magazine and Slice Creative Network.

He then went on to personally recommend loads of really fantastic books that are sure to be not only interesting, but great for referencing in my third year dissertation, which I hope to write on Theme Park theory:

I couldn't have asked for a better response. I may even take up his suggestion of going to Savannah (about 4 hours north of Orlando, but I have family that live in Tallahassee, about 3 hours north of Orlando) to have a look around the University (SCAD).

OUGD502 - PPP - Studio Brief 1 - Design Strategy - Getting a job at Walt Disney World

OUGD502 - PPP - Studio Brief 1 - Design Strategy

Ok, so if I'm honest, I have really not been keeping up to date with my PPP blog. I regularly actively seek out new contacts and find new interests in the industry but never realise I am doing it! So now I'm going to be finally updating my blog and recording all the things I've been getting up to in the past few months.

August 2013

Way back in August of last year, with my love of theme park design relentlessly taking over my life, I found a way to an application to work in Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida through the Disney International Program. The program is only open to students enrolled at university all over the world, to be employed for a short period of time in one of WDW's 4 famous parks. 
Of course, only entry level roles are offered on the program, but nevertheless I took the opportunity, dreaming of getting placed in a position where I could work on the rides themselves, as I saw it as the best kind of work experience I could get without a degree in my area of Themed entertainment design. To be able to work on the rides at entry level, you would be able to see the design and the workings of each ride, how things are run and be able to hopefully meet like minded individuals.

At first, my application was rejected by the in-country recruitment team, Yummy Jobs. I was so disappointed but couldn't see, (obviously from my point of view) any fault in my application. So I decided to email them to ask what I could do next time and for some feedback on my CV etc.
The response to this email was that there was no fault in my actual application, but that my availability dates must be from the 10th June 2014, and I had written in a later date because I wasn't entirely sure!
I managed to confirm more of a certain date and it turned out I was fully available! Thank gosh that I sent that email!

October 2013

In October, I was invited to a group interview in Manchester with the Yummy Jobs team. The interview was really informal and thankfully I had no problems with any of the questions they asked me about the Walt Disney Company (which I surprisingly knew an awful lot about, I didn't even realise) and I was fully comfortable with the thought of sharing a flat/ bedroom - I currently live with 11 other people!

Confirmation of success from Yummy Jobs!

November 2013

I was overjoyed when I found out I had passed the Manchester interview and was invited by Disney themselves to their offices in London for another interview the following month. The interview would be one-on-one this time, with Disney representatives from Orlando giving a talk, too. The interview was really nerve racking, and when they asked me what roles I was interested in I couldn't tell her enough that it would be Operations and Attractions and my reasons.

December 2013

When I received a confirmation email saying that I had gotten a place on the program, I was over the moon! I was also placed in Operations! It was the best Christmas present I could have wished for. This meant I would be living and working in Florida for nearly three months in summer 2014!

Confirmation of success from Disney!

April 2014

Since December, I have been busy booking flights, getting CRB checked, getting insurance, and getting my US Visa in London on 11th April. It was a stressful event taking over 3 hours waiting for the interview, but it was worth it when I went to pick up my passport last week with my VISA page all ready to go!

I have also been planning all different activities to get up to in my two months away, which will be put in some following posts, as there's a lot! I plan to set up a new blog for my trip away which I hope to keep updated whilst I'm there to record everything.