I’m Debbie Gonzalez, a detail-driven Creative Director and designer focused on global theme park and resort experiences. Over my career, I’ve led creative teams and guided projects from early concept development through design, production, and field art direction. I have a background in Graphic Design (environmental, print, logos, merchandise and web), concept and show design and production art. I can do it all! I’ve also taken creative presentations to top executives, including Bob Iger, and managed approvals and collaborations with major IP partners such as Pixar and Lucasfilm. From vendor trips to construction-site art direction around the world, I’ve helped ensure experiences meet high creative standards. I’ve worked on every Disney theme park to date, lived internationally to open projects, and most recently supported leading creative efforts for Pixar Pier, Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway, and Star Wars Launch Bay.…

Debbie Gonzalez

I’m Debbie Gonzalez, a detail-driven Creative Director and designer focused on global theme park and resort experiences. Over my career, I’ve led creative teams and guided projects from early concept development through design, production, and field art direction. I have a background in Graphic Design (environmental, print, logos, merchandise and web), concept and show design and production art. I can do it all! I’ve also taken creative presentations to top executives, including Bob Iger, and managed approvals and collaborations with major IP partners such as Pixar and Lucasfilm. From vendor trips to construction-site art direction around the world, I’ve helped ensure experiences meet high creative standards. I’ve worked on every Disney theme park to date, lived internationally to open projects, and most recently supported leading creative efforts for Pixar Pier, Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway, and Star Wars Launch Bay.…

Available to hire

I’m Debbie Gonzalez, a detail-driven Creative Director and designer focused on global theme park and resort experiences. Over my career, I’ve led creative teams and guided projects from early concept development through design, production, and field art direction. I have a background in Graphic Design (environmental, print, logos, merchandise and web), concept and show design and production art. I can do it all!

I’ve also taken creative presentations to top executives, including Bob Iger, and managed approvals and collaborations with major IP partners such as Pixar and Lucasfilm. From vendor trips to construction-site art direction around the world, I’ve helped ensure experiences meet high creative standards. I’ve worked on every Disney theme park to date, lived internationally to open projects, and most recently supported leading creative efforts for Pixar Pier, Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway, and Star Wars Launch Bay.

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Work Experience

Creative Director / Design Consultant at Paramount Pictures Global Experiences
February 1, 2020 - July 7, 2026
Oversaw creative direction and design for Paramount and Nickelodeon global themed entertainment experiences, including attractions, retail, food & beverage, and end-to-end project phases from concept through production and installation. Led project teams across schematic, production, and on-site installation; most recently Creative Director for Nickelodeon Play! in Istanbul, Turkey, taking the project through schematic design to installation.
Creative Director at Walt Disney Imagineering
October 1, 2014 - November 1, 2019
Directed creative efforts for worldwide Disney theme park lands and attractions, taking projects from concept development through design & production and field art direction. Directed a wide range of Imagineering disciplines across concept art, music, architecture, media, area development, and more. Led executive-level creative presentations and pitches to top Parks & Resorts executives including Bob Iger. Managed IP partner relationships and approvals, traveled to vendors for creative buy-offs, and worked extensively on construction sites worldwide to direct teams and resolve critical on-site challenges. Worked across every Disney theme park to date and lived internationally to open projects.
Concept / Show Designer / Art Director at Walt Disney Imagineering
December 1, 2004 - October 1, 2014
Provided concept and show design and art direction for a range of small and large teams and multi-million-dollar themed entertainment projects. Developed creative presentations and delivered top-level executive creative pitches. Managed design teams and vendor relationships, including work with major IP partners. Led creative charrettes and brainstorms, and supported blue-sky ideation. Responsibilities included concept art, graphic design, production design, and on-site art direction with toolsets such as digital painting, color boards, and hand sketching.
Senior Graphic Designer at Walt Disney Imagineering
April 1, 2003 - December 1, 2004
Designed theme park graphics across multiple projects, including work for Disney’s Animal Kingdom and Tokyo DisneySea. Served as lead designer for Lights, Moteurs, Action! at Walt Disney Studios Paris. Produced graphic design deliverables including environmental and show-related assets and supported vendor production and approvals.
Graphic Designer at Vivendi Universal Games
September 30, 2002 - March 31, 2003
Responsible for graphic design and packaging design for software games, including re-branding the JumpStart line. Created a new design and patent for multi-disk game packaging. Designed packaging and concepts, sell sheets and marketing tools, and art directed photo shoots.
Graphic / Art Direction Designer at Walt Disney Imagineering
February 25, 1998 - June 27, 2001
Designed theme park graphic materials and supported show and operational graphics, including environmental signage, marquees, logos, printed graphics, style guides, and murals. Coordinated graphic production with shop vendors and supported installations in both California and Florida, partnering closely with creative and operational stakeholders. Also supported concept design and show-piece development on select projects.

Education

Graphic Design & Theatre Arts at California State University, Long Beach
January 1, 1993 - January 1, 1994
at California State University, Fullerton
January 1, 1994 - January 1, 1998

Qualifications

Walt Disney Imagineering Designer’s Workshop
January 1, 1997 - January 1, 1997
selected from over 300 portfolios; internship chosen)
Teamwork Award (Walt Disney Imagineering)
January 1, 2012 - January 1, 2012
Teamwork Award (Walt Disney Imagineering)
January 1, 2004 - January 1, 2004
Spirit of Walt Disney Award (nominated)
January 1, 1997 - January 1, 1997

Industry Experience

Media & Entertainment, Retail, Travel & Hospitality, Professional Services, Real Estate & Construction, Consumer Goods
    Mickey & Minnie's Runaway Railway - Disneyland Resort
    Was the Creative Director through Schematic Design, specifically for the entrance and queue and how it would tie into ToonTown at Disneyland.…
    Test Track Presented by Chevrolet
    Art Director and Graphic Design Lead for Test Track Presented by Chevrolet at EPCOT. Lead the branding effort for Chevrolet sponsorship and Graphic Design.…
    The Seas with Nemo & Friends
    Senior Graphic Designer and Show Set Designer for the Seas with Nemo & Friends in 2004. Responsible for transforming the Seas Pavilion at EPCOT into a Finding Nemo attraction. Worked on the graphics package and show set package.…
    Pixar Pier
    Creative Director of Pixar Pier working for Walt Disney Imagineering. Worked on everything from the initial concept and pitch deck to Bob Iger through concept development, production and installation. Also worked on graphics.…
    Star Wars Launch Bay
    Creative Director of Star Wars Launch Bay, the preview center and first Star Wars project for the Walt Disney Company. Led the team from concept development through production and installation.…
    Emotional Whirlwind Attraction
    Creative Director of the Disney Pixar attraction Emotional Whirlwind at Disney's California Adventure Park. Worked on everything from concept development through production and installation. Also worked on graphics and color boards.…
    Nickelodeon Play! Istanbul
    Was the Creative Director of Nickelodeon Play! which is an immersive indoor theme park in Istanbul, Turkey. Took the project from concept development through production and installation in Turkey. Also designed the graphics package for the project. https://www.twine.net/signin…