Graphic Designer Principal

About the Role and Team

Walt Disney Imagineering is the inventive group behind Disney theme parks, resorts, attractions, and cruise ships around the world. The team combines storytelling, art, science, and technology to create immersive environments and memorable guest experiences.

Innovation is central to this organization, and many projects involve original challenges that require fresh ideas and practical solutions. Imagineering’s work is intended to inspire people and contribute positively to communities worldwide.

Environmental Graphic Designers create signage and show graphics that support storytelling across Disney theme parks and resorts.

The Graphic Designer Principal will guide the strategy, development, and delivery of environmental graphics and signage for large, highly complex themed entertainment projects, ensuring strong design quality, technical precision, and alignment with project objectives from early concept through construction.

You will report to the Studio Executive, Lighting and Graphics.

This is a project-hire role with no assurance of permanent employment.

Key Responsibilities

• Direct environmental graphic design work on major or highly complex projects, including assignments that demand advanced knowledge of sign codes, construction approaches, materials, and specifications.
• Create and oversee fabrication and manufacturing specifications for graphic signage.
• Set graphic design standards for projects and ensure compliance with departmental and divisional standards of practice.
• Lead the creation of graphic scope for code-mandated signage on domestic and international projects.
• Work closely with project leadership to align on graphic design strategy, issues, and proposed solutions.
• Support project objectives by solving complex design problems and developing effective solutions.
• Provide design leadership in coordination with creative leadership and park operations.
• Guide in-house designers and design services consultants as they develop design intent and contract documentation.
• Offer art direction and leadership during fabrication and implementation in collaboration with art direction, project management, construction, and operations teams.
• Lead large groups of environmental graphic designers and consultants across multiple or complex initiatives.
• Assign work, review peer output, and maintain the overall quality of the team’s design deliverables.
• Prepare scopes of work, preliminary cost estimates, budgets, schedules, and strategies for fabrication and installation.
• Track team performance against schedule, budget, and earned value targets.

Required Qualifications

• At least 12 years of experience in environmental graphic design.
• At least 5 years of experience leading design teams in environmental graphic design or signage.
• Advanced expertise in environmental graphic design and sign construction methods.
• Advanced knowledge of sign code requirements.
• Substantial experience with materials, fabrication processes, and themed applications.
• Demonstrated ability to plan complex work involving scheduling, budgeting, and staffing.
• Proven capability to create and execute strategies for solving difficult graphic design challenges.
• Strong leadership skills with the ability to manage large teams and shape design direction.
• Ability to make strategic design decisions with limited oversight.
• Excellent communication skills and the ability to represent the discipline in cross-functional settings.
• Hands-on knowledge of the software and systems used by WDI for environmental graphic design and business communication, including Adobe Creative Suite, Illustrator, Photoshop, Bluebeam Revu, Outlook, Word, and Excel.
• Comfort with reading and working from architectural drawings and documents.

Preferred Qualifications

• Advanced knowledge of code requirements related to fire, safety, health, and ADA/ADAG compliance.
• Ability to build fabrication and installation estimates from schematic design for complex projects.
• Experience shaping design direction in collaboration with project leadership.
• Strong understanding of theme park design, storytelling principles, and immersive environments.
• Experience developing strategies for large-scale environmental graphic design programs.
• Familiarity with Revit, AutoCAD, 3-D rendering tools, and PowerPoint is helpful but not mandatory.

Education

A bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution is required.

Additional Information

Disney provides a benefits and rewards package that includes health and savings benefits, educational opportunities, and special extras.

The hiring range for this role in Glendale, CA is $115,500 to $154,800 per year. The final base salary offered may vary based on internal equity, geographic location, role-related knowledge, skills, and experience. A bonus and/or long-term incentive units may also be included, along with medical, financial, and other benefits depending on the level and position.