Sunday, November 1, 2009
Creativity + Technology + $$$$$$$$$ = Disneyland.
I know that a Disneyland parkhopper ticket these days is nearly $90. I know that a day at Disneyland only brings calories and fat in the form of churros and popcorn. I know that crowds of obnoxious children is not really ideal.
But I can't help it. I love Disneyland.
It is a basically a really expensive art/architecture/design research trip. I no longer view Disneyland simply as a place for rides and sugar, I view Disneyland like a designer would. Although the Matterhorn and the teacups still do sound appealing (for both their fun value and design value), I am most excited to visit Disneyland in Spring 2010 for their new show: World of Color.
Disneyland puts on several full production shows (parades, fireworks, water shows, etc.) several times daily. Each production is a work of design and can be considered one of the ultimate design projects because of their large scopes. All their shows must consider things like costumes, functionality, props, set design, fireworks, lighting design to name a few. World of Color is a water show combining light, projection, waterworks and, of course, animation. 1,200 fountains work to create both the screen and ambiance for 30 HD projections of animation and light across a surface of 19,000 square feet.
Large scope doesn't even seem to begin to describe World of Color. It is basically their classic fountain show, Fantasmic... on steroids.
The designers chose scenes from various Disney movies emphasizing what they do best: color.
The "Colors of the Wind" scene from Pocahontas, the "Define Dancing" scene of Wall-E, the vibrant color trip that is the entirity of Alice in Wonderland, etc.
World of Color combines design of all natures. It considers the color and vibrancy of the animation. It considers all the technical design, the location of the projectors, the speed capability of the individual fountains. World of Color is group work at the grandest scale. Disneyland is admittedly overpriced. But design and teamwork like this is definitely priceless.
10:13 PM by jamie.