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.

Retro '71

Welcome back to another installment of the Retro '71 apparel line. Last week kicked off our World Showcase series and we'll continue our journey as we make our way around the World Showcase Lagoon, counter clockwise.

Our first stop is Canada. Our tour takes us from a Northwest Indian Village to the chateau in Ottawa and through the quaint streets of Quebec. You can experience the awesome majesty of the Northern wilderness with its soaring rock mountains, rushing streams, cool pines, and cascading water. Footpaths and bridges take you through a simulated mountain gorge. Along the way, enter the "Moosehead Mine" where you can relax while you are visually whisked away on a glorious tour of Canada through the magic of Circle-Vision 360. There are statuesque totem poles, Indian and Eskimo craft shops to explore, and at the end of the trail, the beauty of Victoria Gardens. Everything is designed to let you experience the spirit of America's neighbor to the north.

I opted to do two different designs for this week, mainly for my good friend who is Canadian and a big time Epcot Center fan. He just recently moved to the States along with his wife so that he could pursue his life's dream to work for Disney. These designs are for him.

The first design I came up with is based on the Moosehead Mine theatre inside the Canada pavilion. I tried to approach the shirt in a retro "summer camp" way. The design incorporates the main Canada and World Showcase logos along with a simple icon of a moose's head and the name of the mine. The colors are simple shades of red with white to pay homage to Canada's colors.  The second design once again incorporates the two logos in order to keep the branding constant, coordinated, and cohesive. I kept the colors the same on this design as well, but I decided to go with a different color option for the garment.

 

That concludes the latest additions to our vacation wear with a vintage flair. Hope you all enjoy your holiday off and be sure to tune in Friday for another installment of our attraction typography case studies. Thanks for dropping by.

Retro '71

Welcome back to another edition of the Retro '71—or maybe I should say Retro '82—because this week’s design launches a new series of shirts that are all based on the Epcot Center.

The design for this week’s shirt is based on the vintage hand-illustrated artwork Disney designers used in various promotional materials for Epcot. These beautiful layered montage-style drawings were seen in brochures, letterhead and even buttons. This week’s design was lifted from a vintage 1982 button promoting none other than the World Showcase.

I scanned the retro image into the computer and through my illustrator magic, converted it into a new design for the apparel line. I decided to use the color palette from the 1982 Epcot Center park map, which depicts the World Showcase in dusty pinks, deep maroons, white and aqua colors. Of course no design is complete without a touch of light textured distressing.

Well that does it for this week’s design. Tune in next week as we continue the new series, and as always, thanks for stopping in. Have a great week.