Design Contest Tips

Here are some great resources that we would like to recommend, as well as some advice from past Design Competition participants and judges that you can use to benefit the development of your own submission

Story, Story, Story!
All we do here at Walt Disney Imagineering is tell stories. The technology, architecture, costumes, transportation, and attractions all support the story. You have to begin with a great story before you develop anything else.

Do Your Homework...
Know what we do, what we do not do, and how we do it. Know your technology and your deadlines.

Showcase Your Talent
Showcase what you can do in the medium of your special discipline, such as plots, drawings, schematics, script, etc. As you develop your project think of all of the categories the judges are reviewing. Be creative and innovative.

Check Your Work for Spelling, Grammar, and Neatness
Attention to detail is very important. Please make sure your entry is free from spelling and grammatical errors. Don't let this disqualify your team's chance to be considered.

Understand the Judging Process.
Each entry is judged on each topic:

• Creativity/Originality
  
• Illustration/Artwork/Visuals
  
• Use of Technology
  
• Guest Experience
  
• Entertainment Value
  
• Quality of Presentation
  
• Diversity/Inclusive nature of proposed entry
  
• Global Perspective

Make sure your entry covers each of these topics, failure to do so will hinder your team's opportunity to move on as a finalist. Please review all of the judging criteria so you can completely understand the process.

Judging Categories Include, but Are Not Limited to:

• Concept/Idea: Is the concept appealing, interesting or exciting? Does the concept communicate a well researched story and theme?
  
  
• Guest Experience: Is this concept an engaging/enjoyable experience? Are details on how our guests would interact with / enjoy the experience presented?
  
  
• Innovation: Does the concept demonstrate technical innovation? Does the concept demonstrate creative innovation?
  
  
• Quality of Presentation: Is the concept professionally prepared and presented? Is the concept locally organized and presented?
  
  
• Diversity / Inclusion: Does the concept demonstrate respect and inclusion for the diverse array of Guests that we serve?

If you do not feel as if you can hit all the judging criteria with excellence, get a teammate who complements your skill set. Submissions can come from a team with no more than four participants. Presentations that showcase diversity and excellence of skill sets tend to do very well.

Have a Great Resume
Showcase your talent. This will be an opportunity for different leaders to see your skills and talent in action. Let your resume show us why you would make a great Imagineer!

Other Opportunities
If you do not qualify for this particular program, we do offer internships for well-qualified individuals through other programs. Feel free to contact our College Relations team for more information by sending an email to: [email protected].

Have Fun!
If this project is not fun for you, then you are doing something wrong. Hard work can be great fun if you rise to the challenge and really love the work you are doing.

Additional Questions
We have an ImagiNations Advisory Board that would be more than happy to answer any questions you may have. However, a lot of what we do here at Walt Disney Imagineering is considered to be confidential. So, if the information you are seeking is considered to be proprietary, we will not be able to provide you with an answer, but it doesn't hurt to ask! E-mail us at [email protected].