Theme Park Designer

 

Do you love theme parks?

Do you have an eye for design?

Then becoming a theme park designer may be right for you!

What Do Theme Park Designers Do?

                Theme park designers do just that, design theme parks. Not only do these designers decide how to incorporate a theme into an amusement park, they also figure out the best ways of executing their ideas. Theme park designers use their imaginations and design the rides, buildings and entire layout of the amusement park.  These designers also oversee construction and make sure what is being built fits with their design plans. Theme park designers also work with financiers to get a grasp of how much money and time can be put into the park and its design. 

What Skills Are Needed?

                Theme park designers must have great imaginations and the ability to put their ideas on paper. Good sketching skills are needed for theme park designers because they have to be able to show their ideas to the architects and construction crew. Having a good eye for detail is another must for theme park designers. Like any other designer, theme park designers have to see the whole picture as well as its individual parts. Good networking and social skills are also needed because theme park designers work with a lot of different people. Flexibility is another needed skill because most theme park designing jobs last for about a year and a half so designers must move from one project to the next with ease. A good basic knowledge of popular media (such as movies, comics ect) is also valued because so many theme parks are based off of the popular trends (think Universal Studios and Disney World). Skills with numbers and basic engineering knowledge are also suggested.

How Do I Become a Theme Park Designer?

                Many colleges and universities across the country offer programs that would help a theme park designer. Degrees in concept art, engineering, industrial design or architecture are suggested for aspiring theme park designers. Being able to show that they have not only had a good education but also have experience designing is a bonus when applying for jobs. Because designing projects don’t last forever, it is important that theme park designers have something that makes them stand out from the competition. The major centers for the theme park industry are in places such as Florida and California and those are typically the best places to go to school and look for jobs. For aspiring theme park designers it is crucial that they start networking early so as to gain acquaintances that may prove good contacts in the future. 

Helpful links: http://www.themedattraction.com/design.htm