The Living Seas

Welcome back to Designerland and our first case study of 2013. This year we'll be looking at the amazing fonts found throughout Epcot Center, with our first stop in Future World. Unlike the Magic Kingdom, when my family arrives at Epcot, we always begin our journey counter clockwise, so it only feels natural to dive in to the fonts of The Living Seas. I'll only cover the typography from the pre-Nemo era since this is the Living Seas we all remember and love.

One thing I appreciate about Epcot and especially Future World is the symbiotic branding of each pavilion, so we’ll see many of the same display fonts and classic typefaces over and over again. That's called hierarchy of design, but over time, we see that hierarchy broken as wackier, overly-themed display fonts sneak their way in.

In particular, when looking at the Living Seas, sans serifs fonts are the most prominent, which is fitting because sans serifs are generally used to convey a modern, futuristic feel. There are a few extremely futuristic display fonts scattered throughout Sea Base Alpha, but not too many. As I mentioned before, Disney fans weren't all too keen on photographing signage back in the heyday of the Living Seas, so tracking down fonts was somewhat difficult. Over time a few serif fonts such as that classic but overused Times New Roman made an appearance within the pavilion. In my research I found only one place this typeface was used—while I suspect this was just a quick fix type of situation, it still makes me cringe. 

The Living Seas was my all-time favorite pavilion within Future World, partly because of the powerful preshow with its amazing narration and partly because I have a fondness for water. This week, in addition to the type case study, I'm also showcasing a t-shirt concept honoring my favorite pavilion. 

The design is based on the vintage graphic illustration used on an early letterhead that promoted this new pavilion. The design is a simple three color gradient in shades of blue taken from the front facade of the building. This is set in front of a simple back print medallion with the Seas icon, typeset name and original Epcot Center logo.

Well that does it for this week’s case study. I hope you all have a great week and see you back here real soon. Thanks for stopping by.

Spaceship Earth

Welcome back to a new year here at Designerland. I hope all of you had an amazing holiday season and are ready for what 2013 has in store for all of us!

As you all know, this year we will focus on the typography used throughout Epcot Center, starting in Future World then making our way around the World Showcase. I've spent the last few weeks hunting for display fonts and various typefaces. So far in my research, I have noticed two things: 1. Disney fans just don't take as many pictures of signage/environmental graphics in Epcot as they do in the Magic Kingdom and 2. The typography in general is lighter in terms of usage when looking at Future World.

If you have photos of any Epcot signage or if you're out and about with your smart phone handy, do me a kindness and start snapping away photos to share!  Living in Indiana really limits my access to the parks in order to conduct my research. Before I even started Designerland, I had spent about two years hunting down and cataloguing the materials I’ve covered thus far in our typography case studies.

Next week I'll look at the fonts used throughout the (pre-Nemo) Living Seas. I've tracked down a few fonts but could always use more.

Now onto this week’s post. Since we're celebrating the kick off of Epcot typography here at Designerland, I thought it be fitting to release a new Retro '71 shirt concept based on Epcot...one from the Designerland vaults as they say.

This week’s concept is based on the mural painted by Claudio Mazzoli at the entrance of Spaceship Earth. The entire mural design is framed in a rounded-corner rectangle with the Epcot Center and Future World typeset logos. Lastly, some light distressing gives the overall design a not-so-perfect printed look.

Well that does it for this week’s post. Tune in next week as we release our first Epcot Center Typography Case Study. Until then, have a great week and see ya real soon.

Disney Decor Part 2

Tomorrow marks the 30th anniversary of Epcot Center. One way to pay homage is a new series of wall decor for your home.

A closer look:

Two of the prints are actual off-set printed in a similar fashion to vintage comic books, with the ink plates slightly off register/offset and various halftones used throughout. The last print follows fashion to the earlier EST. print series seen here on Designerland, incorporating various park maps of the past and playing with positive and negative spaces.

Well that does it for this weeks post. I hope you all had a great weekend and tune into Designerland next weekend as we continue our typography case studies. Have a great week! 

Welcome to a special Designerland post. As many of you already know, the Disney Parks blog announced more of the Special Edition Epcot 30th Anniversary merchandise, and Designerland’s concepts for the World Showcase shirts have made it into the product line! If you haven't seen the article, then click the below picture and give it a read:

Two years ago during the D23 Expo, I stumbled upon a WDW opening day brochure in the collector’s forum. I picked up the black and white brochure, flipped through the pages and found an entire series of Epcot icons for the World Showcase I had never seen before. I knew instantly that these one-color logos needed to be honored through ink on cotton! I threw down the 30 bucks for the brochure. When I ran into my friend Erica later that day, I was so excited about the idea that I wanted to tell her right there on the expo floor, but instead, I decided to wait.

When I got back to Indiana and sat down to start scanning and recreating, I wondered why these logos hadn’t been used sooner. After I unveiled the series here on Designerland, Disney contacted me and wanted to take the designs I had done since Epcot’s 30th Anniversary was just around the corner. Disney did want to change the colors up a bit and add the two pavilions I had yet to showcase on my blog. Since the brochure I’d used for reference actually pre-dated these two pavilions, the good folks at Disney contacted the archives and found the logos I needed. 

It's surreal to think that finding one little brochure would turn into this. I want to thank all my followers and readers who supported the shirts when I first posted them here at Designerland, and of course, the amazing folks I worked with at Disney for seeing the potential and listening to the fans. I hope you enjoy the designs!

Epcot 30th Product Concept

Welcome back folks—I hope you all had a great weekend. This week, I'm showcasing another idea I had, this time for hardlines. . .more specifically for Epcot's 30th.

My current day job is working in softlines—more specifically, apparel—but while designing shirts all day long, I do dream of things other than cotton, waterbase, plastisol, and tri blends. As I had mentioned before, my first job out of college was designing hardlines and social stationery for various entertainment/animation properties, so when I'm out and about, I can’t help but take notice of what various Disney licensees are up to. I also keep myself up to date on the new style guides the designers at DCP crank out.

Last week I was walking through a big box chain store and came across a night light produced by the Jasco Company. The shape of the light and its functionality drew me in instantly, and I could see how this one item could be remolded, designed and repackaged for Epcot's 30^th. The light itself is a geodesic dome that projects an image onto your wall, floor or ceiling at night. The biggest change I made would be to actually remold the globe of the light to resemble the panels of Spaceship Earth. Other than that, nothing else was changed from the original light.

At present the nightlight is targeted to a younger demographic, hence the properties used on the existing product in stores, mostly Disney Princesses and Cars. But regardless of age, what Disney fan wouldn't want to drift off to slumberland with visions of Spaceship Earth, Mesa Verde, or Dreamfinder glowing softly above their heads?

Well that does it for this week’s post. Tune in next week for more Designerland offerings. Have a great week, and as always, thanks for stopping by.

Special Retro '71 Concept

I was going to wait for another four weeks to post a new shirt concept but I had to get this out there because it's been on my mind for the last few days.

When Disney announced the "Glow with the Show" merchandise I was rather upset by the news, but this soon dissolved into shear happiness. Why was I upset? You see, when I'm not looking for fonts, designing shirts or collecting retro theme park merchandise, I'm sketching away ideas in a little journal...a kind of blue sky journal. One of my ideas was to incorporate sound-activated LEDs in the balloons sold nightly throughout the parks. Those balloons would then be synchronized to the nightly entertainment extravaganzas. I shared this idea with one of my fellow Disney dreamer friends and we thought of a new show to incorporate the technology. When I saw the official "Glow with the Show" Mickey ears, I was blown away! Mickey ears make much more sense. Not only are they a MUST for most Disney theme parkers, but they also have a higher price point and make better keepsakes than a simple balloon. After watching the YouTube videos of the new technology synched along with the World of Color, I was simply blown away. Talk about interactivity with guests!

Now if I know Disney—and I do—I know those mad men of merchandising are dreaming and scheming other ways to use this concept with other theme park merchandise. It's pretty much a no-brainer to say that t-shirts MUST be on their product line lists! LED light-up shirts have been around for ages—I remember going to one of my first parties (read: a rave) back in 1998. One of the DJs was sporting one and all the little kandy kids were flipping out over it. Over time, they became more and more available to mainstream audiences and the price point has since lowered. In fact, the company I work for is working on some LED shirts right now for a big event next week. However, the one thing these shirts appear to lack is that they aren't really programmed to music...not like Disney can do!

When turning this idea around in my head, I imagined Epcot seemed the most likely place where Disney World theme park merchandise would debut this new offering. That’s when it hit me: a Designerland reader shared with me an old logo from Illuminations under the notion that I should recreate the design. I thought to combine the new "Glow with the Show" technology along with this old logo. Now if only they would show the original IllumiNations for the 30th anniversary and sell a shirt like this, I would be in Disney Dork heaven.

Well that does it for this special Retro '71 post. Tune in this Sunday for a new Designerland offer. Until then, see you soon!

Future World

Welcome back to another edition of our Retro '71 apparel line. This week’s concept is based on art from a vintage Epcot Center Future World button.

Back in the early days of the Walt Disney World Resort, Disney designers created a series of montage collage-based illustrations that really captured the feel of the parks. These collage illustrations were used on paper bags, tin trays, buttons and various print materials. I've already created designs based on a few of these collages and this Epcot Future World button was the last in the series. I had meant to present it a few months back when a few people were discussing it on Twitter, but find myself just now getting around to it.

I created the design in a three color, off-set print look in the early branding color palette of Future World, as seen in the Epcot Center maps of the time. The design would be printed in water-based inks or plastisol ink run through a high mesh count so the ink would be soft to the touch. Finishing out the illustration is a distressed texture to set the vintage look and feel of the design.

Well that does it for this week’s concept. Tune in next week for part 2 of the Designerland's Typography Main Street U.S.A. Case Study. Hope you all have a wonderful week and see you soon. Thanks for stopping by!

World Showcase: Phase One Apparel Recap Map

CLICK MAP FOR DETAILED VIEW!

Mexico

Our journey comes to an end this week (or does it) with our final Designerland EPCOT World Showcase Apparel design....

Rising in a series of great steps above the World Showcase Promenade, a monumental pyramid beckons us to Mexico. (Its style reflects Mexico's ancient cultures.) Inside, we'll find an exhibit of pre-Columbian artworks as well as old emblems of contemporary Mexico.

Beyond, we enter the Plaza de Los Amigos in the midst of a moonlit Mexican village where street vendors with carts piled high with crafts add to the exciting atmosphere.

In the background, we can embark on a boat ride along "El Rio del Tiempo" - "The River of Time" - where we'll explore the heritage of Mexico's ancient, colonial, and contemporary eras. The tale is told by Audio-Animatronic singers and dancers, motion pictures and three-dimensional sets as our excursion boat glides along. We may even catch a glimpse of a nightly firework display.

 

Once again keeping consistent with the Retro '71 apparel brand, this week’s design incorporates Mexico's logo in a similar fashion as the previous shirts. The colors are inspired by the flag of Mexico. Finishing the design is some slight wear and tear with a textured finish.

 
I want to thank you for for accompanying me on this journey. Tune in next week as we begin looking at the wonderful typography of Main Street USA. Until next time, thanks for stopping by and have a great week.

China

Welcome back to another edition of the Retro '71 Apparel Line. This week our Journey around the World Showcase almost comes to an end but before the adventure is complete we have two countries left to visit.  This week we'll be visiting China.

Look upon the splendor of the scene - an enchanted garden with bamboo, willows, lotus ponds, and meandering walkways set against a graceful backdrop of buildings with Oriental tiled roofs of blue, green and ochre, all framed by the great "Gate of the Golden Sun." We have arrived in China, ageless and enticing.

Let the "Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests" (modeled after the celebrated structure at the Temple of Heaven Park in Beijing) beckon us, for inside it, the 8th century poet-storyteller Li Bai magically appears on screen to guide us on a magnificent journey - Wonders of China. Here we'll see rare views of the dramatic landscapes, architecture, and culture of China, even a glimpse inside the "Forbidden City."

And be certain to find the "Street of Good Fortune," for along it, a calligrapher will be happy to show you how your name looks when it's written in Chinese.

Once again following suit, this week’s design incorporates China's logo in a similar fashion as the previous shirts. The colors are inspired by the Chinese flag . Finishing the design is some slight wear and tear with a textured finish, which ties it into the branding and overall vision of the Retro '71 apparel line. 

But wait there's more to this weeks post!!! After doing my research and being inspired by the clever brochure copy I decided to create a companion piece for China, very much like my Canada post. For my second shirt I designed a tongue-in-cheek concept based on the "Street of Good Fortune" found within China's pavilion. 

I incorporated some cliche elements into this shirt but feel that it stays true to the vintage Retro '71 apparel line.  

Well that does it for this week’s edition of the Retro '71 World Showcase shirts. Looking forward to seeing you back here next Sunday as we delve into another attraction typography case study from the Magic Kingdom. Thanks for stopping by and have a great week!

Germany

Welcome back to another edition of the Retro '71 Apparel Line. This week we continue our Journey around the World Showcase and visit the country of Germany.

Dance the polka, raise a stein to toast life, and join in singing a folksong in the traditional Oktoberfest setting of the Biergarten in Germany. (The interior design, which looks like a village, was inspired by the town Rothenburg.) Here the merriment and the atmosphere will capture your fancy, and the show is lots of fun.

The platz outside offers its own discoveries - medieval spires and half-timbered shops that lend a fairy-tale charm to the Bavarian setting, a statue of St. George slaying the dragon, and an animated clock that sounds the hour with a glockenspiel.

German products and craftsmanship abound in the shops, everything from cuckoo clocks to toys, from hand-carved wood to pewter ware. You may even encounter a Hummel artist painting the famous figurines.

 

Following suit, this week’s design incorporates Germany's logo in a similar fashion as the previous shirts. The colors are inspired by the German flag . Finishing the design is some slight wear and tear with a textured finish, which ties it into the branding and overall vision of the Retro '71 apparel line.

 

 

Well that does it for this week’s edition of the Retro '71 World Showcase shirts. Looking forward to seeing you back here next Sunday as we delve into another attraction typography case study from the Magic Kingdom. Thanks for stopping by and have a great week! 

Italy

Welcome back to another edition of the Retro '71 Apparel Line. This week we'll finally (LOL) continue our Journey around the World Showcase and visit the beautiful country of Italy.

As we catch sight of the colorful gondolas in the Venetian canal and a setting that is clearly reminiscent of St. Mark's Square, and we know we're in Italy. The bell tower, or campanile, is monumental, and we'll even find a replica of the Doges' Palace.

In the piazza there are classic sculptures to fill the eye; one - the "Fontana di Nerruno" - depicts the sea-god Neptune amidst playful dolphins. Here, too, we just might be fortunate to arrive fir a performance by the farcical players of the Teatro di Bologna in the open-air provincial theater.

There are some fine specialty shops here, and browsing can be fun. The shops of the Arcata d'Artigiani, for example, offer handcrafted terra-cotta pottery, glassware, and woven baskets.

 

Following suit, this week’s design incorporates Italy's logo in a similar fashion as the previous shirts. The colors are inspired by the Italian flag . Finishing the design is some slight wear and tear with a textured finish, which ties it into the branding and overall vision of the Retro '71 apparel line.

 

 

 

Well that does it for this week’s edition of the Retro '71 World Showcase shirts. Sorry it's taken me a while. . . but I'm glad to be back! Looking forward to seeing you back here next Sunday as we delve into another attraction typography case study from the Magic Kingdom. Thanks for stopping by and see you soon!

The American Adventure

 

Welcome back to another edition of the Retro '71 Apparel Line. This week we'll continue our Journey around the World Showcase with our next stop being The American Adventure.

Stately Georgian architecture welcomes us to The American Adventure, which is proudly presented as "host" to the nations of World Showcase.

Inside, you'll find paintings portraying the Spirits of American, and in the main theater, a Disney theatrical production that tells the inspiring story of America. Here, on stage of sweeping dimensions, we can witness the pivotal events and meet the "dreamers and doers" who helped shape the American nation. Benjamin Franklin and Mark Twain - two of America's most eloquent spokesmen - lead a cast of more than 30 historic figures "brought to life" to recount America's hard-won achievements and preview her boundless future.

Following suit, this week’s design incorporates The American Adventure logo in a similar fashion as the previous shirts. The colors are inspired by the United States flag . Finishing the design is some slight wear and tear with a textured finish, which ties it into the branding and overall vision of the Retro '71 apparel line.

Well that does it for this week’s edition of the World Showcase shirts. I'm glad to be back, even if it's only for a few short hours! Looking forward to seeing you back here soon for more fun Designerland posts. Thanks for visiting and have a swell week.

Retro '71

Welcome back to another edition of the Retro '71 Apparel Line. This week we'll continue our Journey around the World Showcase with our emphasis on Japan. 

A stately vermilion torii gateway rises out of the waters of the World Showcase Lagoon bids us "good luck" as we enter Japan. As we amble through the serene bonsai gardens of the five story pagoda - it's modeled after the 8th century Horyuji Temple near Nara - we contemplate the artfully places rocks, the lanterns, and the ponds with their brightly colored koi. Across the way is the great Shishinden Hall, home of Mitsukoshi, the internationally famous Japanese department store. Within the massive feudal castle, we view worldly Japanese art and treasures. Perhaps we'll be fortunate enough to happen upon the Candyman, a dream fantasy maker, who sings and dances about while fashioning herons, fish and other fanciful designs from rice toffee. 

Following suit, this week’s design incorporates the Japan logo in a similar fashion as the previous shirts. The colors are inspired by the flag Japan . Finishing the design is some slight wear and tear with a textured finish, which ties it into the branding and overall vision of the Retro '71 apparel line.

 

Well that does it for this week’s edition of the World Showcase shirts. Check back soon as we dissect more fonts used for classic Disney Park attractions. Hope all of you have a great week and see you back soon.

Retro '71

Welcome back to another edition of the Retro '71 Apparel Line. This week we'll continue our Journey around the World Showcase with our emphasis on France.

We know we're approaching France when we catch sight of the Eiffel Tower, the typical kiosk in the park bordering the canal, and the colorful umbrellas that announce the sidewalk café.  Investigate the boulevard, "La Promenade," with its handsome fountain, gardens, ironwork and elegant belle époque shops. Note the ironwork at each end of the Arcade—it's fashioned after the famed entrances to Paris's Metro. Around the corner, we find ourselves on a rural street where the shops are provincial.  At the Palais du Cinema, we can treat ourselves to a grand tour via an exciting motion picture, Impressions de France. By the way, the musical score of this film is based on the works of some of the greatest French composers, among them Debussy, Dukas, Saint-Saens, Satie, and Ravel. 

Following suit, this week’s design incorporates the France logo in a similar fashion as the previous shirts. The colors are inspired by the flag of France. Finishing the design is some slight wear and tear with a textured finish, which ties it into the branding and overall vision of the Retro '71 apparel line. 

Well that does it for this week’s edition of the World Showcase shirts. I want to thank everyone who has contacted me in regards to the line thus far. Your comments have been such great motivation. Hope to see you back on Friday as we dissect more fonts used for classic Disney Park attractions. Hope all of you have a great week and see you back soon.

Retro '71

This week’s Retro '71 shirt concept continues the Epcot Center World Showcase series.

When our walk along the World Showcase Promenade weaves into a cobblestoned square with charming shops, gabled rooftops, and a warm and inviting waterside pub, you know we've arrived at the United Kingdom.  On Tudor Lane, don't be surprised if you meet a strolling troubadour with his lute, or the Pearly Kings and Queens whose comedy style is as bright as the pearly buttons adorning their costumes. A bounty of fine products from Her Majesty's realm can be found here in the many smart shops. Britannia Square affords the cool greenery of a formal English city park where you can enjoy music and theatrics performed in the handsome gazebo.

For this week’s design, I used the United Kingdom logo and icon in a similar fashion as the main shirt for the Canada pavilion. The colors are inspired by the Union Jack. Finishing the design is some slight wear and tear with a textured finish, which ties it into the branding and overall vision of the Retro '71 apparel line.

That does it for today's post. Hope to see you back on Friday as we dissect the fun fonts used for classic Disney Park attractions. Hope all of you have a great week and see you back soon.