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William Gorgensen

Themed entertainment design professor

Education

  • M.A., speech, Western Washington University
  • B.A., political science, Central Washington University

Credentials

  • Professor of themed entertainment design, August 2021–present, Savannah College of Art and Design, Savannah, GA
  • Executive producer/manager, January 2003–present, Unique Visions International LLC
    A freelance identity used in various projects for billing purposes and offering all aspects of design, interior and exterior theming, master planning, lighting, graphics, etc. Partnered with a number of project manager and developer groups to provide themed and entertainment design. Hired freelance labor as needed.
  • Creative/art director, October 2017–June 2020, Universal Creative Studios/Core Group
    Provided creative direction on various projects on all aspects of design, interior, and exterior theming, master planning, lighting, graphics, etc. Reported directly to VP Creative.
  • Creative consultant, January 2017–September 2017, Six Flags Dubai/Dubai Parks and Resorts, Dubai
    Provided creative direction on all aspects of the Six Flags Dubai Park design, interior and exterior theming, master planning, lighting, graphics, etc. Identified, organized, trained. and directed a design team for this project. Communicated and coordinated design and approvals between architectural/engineering firm, client, and operator (project terminated).
  • Senior art director, September 2015–December 2016, DreamWorks, MotionGate/Dubai Parks and Resorts, Dubai
    Design and field art direction for artistic and scenic aspects in all four DreamWorks attractions of the MotionGate Theme Park.
  • Design consultant, July 2015, Europa Park, Germany
    Created concepts and master plan for expansion area of park.
  • Design consultant, July 2015, Xujing Project, Shanghai, China
    Created concept, master plan, and design for themed garden project.
  • Design consultant, September 2013–November 2014, ITEC Entertainment Corp., Wanda Movie Entertainment Park, China
    Creative director/on-site art director for two major attractions in Wuhan, China. Responsible for finalizing design of Ultimate Energy and Power of Nature Attractions prior to relocating to Wuhan. Directed ride experience programing of the Power of Nature Simulator and FX.
  • Design and attraction consultant, 2014, The Lost Temple/Movie Park, Germany
    Provided advise and guidance on content, attraction, ride, layout, and design for a 4D attraction.
  • Master planner/overall design consultant, 2012–13
    Provided initial master plans of theme park and resort. Participated in, and advised, park and attraction design and concept development.

    Design manager/overall design consultant, 2011–13, Adventure World Warsaw, Jora Vision BV/AGS BV, Russia, Eastern Europe, and Turkey
    Advised and participated in overall design. Designed overall resort master plan, grand hotel, entertainment center, theme park layout, attraction concepts, signage, AquaDome concept, and theming.

  • Design consultant, 2013, resort design, Baku, Azerbaijan
    Master plan and phasing of large theme park (unrealized).

    Original master planner and concept designer, 2010–11, Sochi Adventure Park, Sochi, Russia
    Principal designer for master planning and phasing, overall concept, and concept design.

    Concept and overall designer, 2008, Land of Legends, Bojnice, Slovakia, Maxmakers LTD
    Master planning, concept and concept design, principal design. Cancelled due to 2008 financial crisis.

  • Freelance designer, November 2011–April 2012, Jack Rouse Associates/Sochi Adventure Park
    Planned and designed two dark rides and four themed train stations after JRA assumed responsibility for completion of the project due to its size.
  • Design consultant and manager, 2011, BBC Dr. Who Experience, London
    Managed design team in initial phase, wrote initial show script for filming, and developed exhibition concept.

    Consulting designer, 2007–10, various parks and FECs, Sarner LTD
    Master planning, content and concept development for numerous entertainment projects throughout Russia and Eastern Europe.

  • Concept and overall designer/art director, 2009, indoor attraction center, Nürburgring, Germany, Design Vision, Gmb H, Germany
    Concept and concept design, master planning, set, graphic and theming design, art direction, project supervision, integration and installation for new indoor attraction center for international auto racing, including Formula 1.
  • Concept designer, 2007, Nickelodeon "Nickland" movie park, Germany
    Conceptual design of theming, area development, and some storyline elements for new ride area themed with Nickelodeon IP characters' storylines. Designs submitted to and accepted directly by Nickelodeon.
  • Initial concept designer, 2007, Santa Monica movie park, Germany
    Concept, concept design, and initial master planning for new ride area including lake and amusement pier modeled after Santa Monica, California.
  • Concept and head designer/overall art director, 2006, MGM Hollywood Film Museum and Studio Tour movie park, Germany
    Concept and concept design including script development, master planning, graphic and teeming design, art direction, project supervision, integration and installation. Assembled international project management and production team.
  • Other clients include: Disneyland Paris, Walt Disney Imagineering

Awards, recognitions, and honors

  • IES Illumination Award, DreamWorks Animation Zone, Gallegos Lighting Design team member, 2019
  • Outstanding Achievement, Dubai Parks & Resorts/MotionGate - DreamWorks Attraction, senior art director, 2018
  • Best Public Service Announcement, ITVA Award, art director

Organizations

  • Member, TEA, 2002–15
    Board member, European & Middle East Division, 2010–13
  • United Scenic Artists Local 829 (inactive due to non-U.S. residence)
  • IATSE Scenic Artist Local 816 (inactive due to non-U.S. residence)