Lauren Dawson

Originally from Maryland outside of Washington, DC, I moved to Los Angeles in June 2017 to pursue a career in the themed entertainment industry.  As I look back, I can see the many influences that brought me to this place and my desire to design memorable experiences that bring joy to people. 

 

Creating art has always been a part of my life.  As a kid I liked to make things, especially out of empty boxes.  I always enjoyed my art classes, from elementary school to college.  In school I would doodle cubes, which helped me pick up perspective drawing quickly.  In high school I found photography as a fun way to express myself and loved seeing the images come to life in the darkroom.  I also enjoy working with my grandfather in his workshop, creating art out of wood. 

 

From my first visit to Disney World, I was hooked on the magic that designers create to bring joy.  No matter what age I went to a Disney park or on a cruise – 6, 9, 13, 15, 17, 19, and 25 – the magic never went away.  And being in LA has given me more opportunities to explore the magic of other parks, such as Universal Studios. 

 

Being in the Washington, DC area most of my life, the Smithsonian museums and National Zoo were just a metro ride away.  Baltimore was also not that far away with the Aquarium and Science Center.  I continued visiting museums during college in New York City and now in Los Angeles.     

 

After college, I was trying to figure out whether it was theme parks or museums I wanted to design most.  I found myself liking both of them – as well as science centers, zoos, and aquariums.  To me, it’s all about designing memorable experiences that bring joy to people.  Whether it’s a fun ride or story at a theme park, or a learning experience at a museum, zoo, science center or aquarium, I want people to experience something new, fun, and engaging.  I want them to walk away with a memorable experience, just like I did and still do.