Amusement park design is a fun and exciting business, but it also has a very serious side as well. Theme parks design firms carefully consider all the variables that go into an amusement park project, including the excitement generated by a new and innovative idea, how feasible the concept is with the allotted space and budget, and other business aspects of the theme park design.

Working with amusement park designers will help you to create a variety of new ideas for rides, restaurants and other attractions on the property. Many designers offer different services including:

1. Maser planning for the whole project, from design to construction.

2. Concept development for your amusement park designs.

3. Branding for a particular theme park attraction.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Choose a theme park design firm that has a strong portfolio

When you hire an important design team, like a theme park design firm, you will want to explore its previous work. Most design firms will welcome you to look through their portfolio and check out the types of designs they've created in the past. This will give you a better idea of how a firm might execute your own ideas.

I recommend: Battaglia provides a selection of theme park design jobs it's completed in order to give you an idea of the skills it can bring to your project. JRA also has many examples of its work, including work for King's Island and Universal Studios theme parks. Make sure the designer you work with can handle the complexity of your design and concept, including details outlined in the 12 Steps of Leisure Development from International Theme Park Services.

Know what to expect from a theme park design company

Theme park design companies are all different in what they look for from a client, but in order to get the most out of an initial meetings with your theme park designers, know the type of information you will need to bring to the table. This can include a concept, the blueprints for the area in question, and other related materials.

I recommend: ITEC Entertainment Corporation provides many different services for theme parks, including master planning, management, production and other smaller jobs. And if you want to know how a design firm works through a project, check out the process slideshow from Thinkwell Design & Production. Design firms will also need to know state safety regulations, which you can find more about from Saferparks.

Hire amusement park designers that can help you with a smaller project

While you can find many theme park designers that work with master creation and management, you can also hire amusement park designers for your smaller jobs. Some of these jobs include managing a design that has already be created or remodeling an existing creation.

I recommend: The Totally Fun Company handle limited jobs, such as concept development for a new amusement park attraction. JustTHINK also offers specific project assistance, such as branding and ideas tailored to different age groups. To get a better perspective on the design process, check out info from Themed Attraction.com.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Working with amusement park designers is very similar to working with other firms. Before you hire a firm, hammer out your expectations so planning and execution will go smoothly.

Theme park engineering is a complicated creative task, and it takes a large amount of experience and knowledge to put together a theme park experience that will attract the constant flow of visitors you want. Whether you're opening up a new amusement park or redesigning and renovating an existing one, look for assistance from a them park design company. Theme park designers are knowledgeable about all the essentials you need for a successful park: rides, attractions, and the overall look and feel.

Find amusement park designers on the Internet. Their websites can give you a good idea of their areas of specialization and examples of previous projects they've worked on. Find a theme park design company for any of your needs, including:

1. Find consulting help for the amusement park design process from a theme park designer.
2. Get help with artistic direction and create a cohesive look and feel for your whole park or for a specific attraction.
3. Contact a theme park ride designer for help with specific rides or attractions.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Find a theme park design firm to help with every step of development

Amusement park design is a long process from the time you conceive the idea of your park to the day the gates open and you start taking tickets. It helps to have an expert consultant at your side every step of the way so you know you're on the right track.

I recommend: International Theme Park Services has worked on projects worldwide. Visit their website for information on how they will work through the entire design process with you one step at a time, from initial feasibility analysis through the grand opening and beyond. Olaf Soot Associates provides design, engineering and product development for amusement parks.

Contact a theme park design company to complete an overall look and feel

If you have specific attractions, shows or restaurants in your theme park that need fine tuning, find theme park designers specializing in design consulting. Have a professional help you realize your vision and create the perfect look for all of your attractions.

I recommend: Jack Rouse Associates has been involved in a wide variety of amusement park designs, with the goal of creating environments that truly connect with an audience. ITEC Entertainment is a theme park engineering firm that has experience on a number of design projects. Contact them for help with attraction design and consulting.

Find a theme park ride designer to create the perfect attraction

If you want people to come to your theme park, you need an attraction that will draw them in droves. Contact a theme park ride designer if you're creating a new park or looking to expand the selection of entertainment at your theme park.

I recommend: Work with A Basic Service for ride engineering as well general construction. The Totally Fun Company works to create attractions that are more than just rides, and offer visitors interactive adventure experiences.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  When choosing a theme park design company, be sure to ask for samples of previous work they've done so you can have a good idea of the type and quality of projects they're capable of.

Amusement park design is a dream career for many. While it is highly competitive, the industry is constantly growing as more and more amusement parks pop up, and the existing ones seek new rides to keep customers coming.

To land a job in this highly competitive industry, it is essential to start early with the right amusement park designers education and training. Those seeking employment as a theme park designer should possess the following qualities:

1. Be extremely technical, and have an innate curiosity for figuring out how things work

2. Be creative and consider things like style, color and theme, in addition to the technical things

3. Foster a natural interest in and understanding of science, math and physics

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Study structural engineering for theme parks design

Structural engineering applies to theme park ride design. You need to be able to design the layout of rides or the design the structures that support the rides.

I recommend: Tufts University has one of the best engineering programs in the country, with a strong emphasis on structural engineering. The University of California, San Diego has an entire Bachelor of Science program dedicated to structural engineering.

Work in theme park engineering as a mechanical engineer

A mechanical engineer designing a theme park ride would design the actual vehicle of the ride, or other mechanical components such as the wheels, tracks and pulley systems.

I recommend: Duke University's Pratt School of Engineering and Massachusetts Institute of Technology both have excellent undergraduate programs in mechanical engineering. There are also online degree programs; University of Illinois offers an online and distance Master of Science program in mechanical engineering.

Learn electrical engineering for theme park design

Amusement park designs require electrical engineers to design the control systems of rides, such as roller coasters, so that they operate smoothly.

I recommend: Northwestern University has one of the best undergraduate programs in electrical engineering. The Polytechnic Institute of New York University offers an online and distance program for a Master of Science degree in electrical engineering.

Score an internship at a theme park design firm

Working an internship, while in college or directly after college, at a theme park design company will provide invaluable experience. An internship will likely consist of drafting the park rides, which is what most entry-level positions with a theme park design firm will entail.

I recommend: Walt Disney Imagineering, the Disney theme-park design unit, offers internships to the winners of its ImagiNations design contest. Search the database at Tech-Interns.com for available internships in various aspects of engineering at theme park design firms. Search internship opportunities at CoolWorks.com to find internships at amusement parks to aid in the building or maintenance of theme park rides.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Since there is no such thing as a theme park design degree, it would be beneficial for theme park designers to get an education in every related area, such as being a major in engineering and a minor in physics, or double major in mechanical and structural engineering.
• •  Although it is not necessary, it is helpful for amusement park designers to have a love of amusement park rides; ride as many as possible and understand their different features.