ENTERTAINMENT & EXPERIENCE DESIGNER

As a designer, my goal is to create memories for people. I want to make products, environments, and experiences where the primary takeaway is an emotional memory that can be shared rather than a disposable physical object that you own. I seek to accomplish this by working on large and small-scale projects with rich story, intricate surprising details, and interactive engagement. 

With a background in Industrial Design - Product Design from the University of Cincinnati’s College of DAAP (Design, Architecture, Art, & Planning), my skills lie in design communication, design production, 2D drawing, 3D modeling, and prototype model-making. I gained experience in a wide variety of fields including medical equipment, trade show production, architecture, and gaming through internships at companies such as IDWorks LLC, Iacono Productions, Gensler (Chicago), and Hasbro Games.

For over six years, I have been in the themed entertainment and experience industry. Working as a Show Set Designer for Universal Creative in Orlando, FL, I had the pleasure of being a lead designer of interactive gameplay for the upcoming Super Nintendo World project opening in Osaka, Japan in 2021. I also played a large role in the design, production, and collaboration effort of an unannounced land to open at Universal’s Epic Universe, an upcoming new theme park.

I excel in and am excited by collaborative work environments. I am energized by the production effort of working closely with members of other disciplines as well as vendors to brainstorm, design, and build themed experiences. I enjoy all phases of a project from Blue Sky through Construction, and appreciate the diverse set of challenges, triumphs, and skills that each phase requires .

When not designing, I enjoy kayaking excursions, sewing, and running in the hot Florida air. For more information or to get in contact with me, please email at bovajr03@gmail.com or call (513) 382-8455. Thank you!

 

EXPERIENCE

 

UNIVERSAL CREATIVE

Production Designer (Jul 2024 - Current)

Production Designer for all Land, Attraction, Retail, and F&B areas beginning with the Blue Sky phase. Responsible for design, development, coordination, organization, and management of the design process

Senior Designer, Show Set (Mar 2022 - Jul 2024)

Minion Land (International - Universal Studios Singapore)

  • Lead show designer for all Land, Attraction, Retail, and F&B areas during coordination, construction, and installation phases

THEMESPACE

Consultant - Show Set Designer (Aug 2021 - Current)

  • Working as a Show Set Designer staff extension for Universal Creative on a land for the upcoming theme park Epic Universe

  • Show Set Package design, development, and coordination for all architecture, retail, F&B, and show elements

UNIVERSAL CREATIVE

Designer, Show Set (Oct 2014 - Nov 2020)

Super Nintendo World (Domestic & International)

  • Lead show designer of interactive gaming for the Super Nintendo World land from Blue Sky through Design Development; Worked directly with the Intellectual Property holder to translate a digital game to the physical world

  • Interactive designer liaison between Orlando-based team and Osaka-based team

  • Developed interactive gaming storyline, user experience, ergonomics, and ADA compliance for all individual interactive elements

  • Created storyboards, 3D models, and AutoCAD drawings of land components, land layout, SFX, and animated figures that steered the art/creative direction

  • Collaborated with Advanced Technologies, Engineering, Facilities, and Model Shop departments and scenic, engineering, and A&E vendors

  • Assisted with Show Set Package and Show Element List development of the land and all components

Epic Universe - Dark Universe (Domestic)

  • Designed, developed, and organized conceptual and schematic drawings for an upcoming theme park land including the forming and progression of the Show Set Package and Show Elements List

  • Incorporated show set, architectural, MEP, ride, lighting, AV, and Operational elements into drawing packages, and coordinated integration for field construction

  • Ensured compliance with ADA as well as local building and life safety codes

  • Provided direction to scenic vendors and contractors during the production of mock-ups for scenic carved textures and show elements

IACONO PRODUCTIONS

Intern, Scenic Design & Production (Sep 2013 - Dec 2013)

  • Conceptualized stage designs for large-scale corporate events and trade shows through sketches, 3D, and physical models

  • Assisted in the production and running crew for a P&G corporate summit

GENSLER (CHICAGO)

Intern, Product Design (Jan 2013 - May 2013)

  • Collected and quantified research on health and well-being in the workplace and healthcare environments

  • Presented concepts and ideation of new interior and exterior workspace products

IDWorks, LLC

Intern, Product Design (Jun 2012 - Aug 2012)

  • Collected data and interviews on a hip replacement surgical table prototype via observing doctors performing an in-person hip replacement surgery

  • Designed an overbed table for healthcare use that takes into account aesthetic and functionality for caregiver/patient, and materiality for a sterile environment

  • Created the conceptual interface and wireframe for apps that integrate with a leading medical device company’s products

HASBRO GAMES

Intern, Game Design & Development (Jun 2011 - Sep 2011)

  • Ideate game concepts through sketches and physical models for a game released with a film based on the same Intellectual Property

  • Assisted in the production of promotional and marketing material for new release board games

TOOLS

 

  • Sketch (Hand & Digital)

  • AutoCAD

  • SolidWorks

  • SketchUp

  • Revit

  • Photoshop

  • Illustrator

  • InDesign

  • Navisworks

  • Bluebeam

  • Rhino

skills

 

  • Storyboarding

  • Interactive Design

  • Blue Sky Conceptualization

  • A&E, MEP, & Show Coordination

  • Spatial Planning

  • Design Package Production Sheet Set Manager

  • Show Element List Development

  • Prototyping

  • Physical Model Creation

EDUCATION

 

DAAP, UNIVERSITY OF CINCINNATI (Design, Architecture, Art, & Planning)

Sep 2009 - Apr 2014

B.S. Industrial Design - Product

AWARDS

 

2021 - THEA Award - Outstanding Achievement for a Theme Park Land - Super Nintendo World (Osaka) (Winner)

2014 - DAAPworks Outstanding Student Award (Winner)

2011 - GE Innov8 For Health (Winner - “Vita Board”)

2009-2014 - Cincinnatus Scholar, University of Cincinnati (Winner)