Storyland Studios, the three-dimensional storytelling firm, has revealed that it will hold its International Design Challenge again this year, following the great success of the first competition in 2021.
The competition, which is coming back in its second incarnation in 2024, gives independent designers and architects the opportunity to establish themselves in the Themed Entertainment sector by submitting design proposals for immersive, story-driven Location-Based Entertainment (LBE) experiences.
The winners of this year’s competition will receive a $25,000 grand prize. They will also have the chance to work with Storyland Ventures to develop their idea into a marketable product and present their idea at IAAPA Expo 2024 in Orlando this November.
Recognising aspiring talent in the industry
“We’re thrilled to be bringing the Storyland Studios International Design Challenge back after the resounding success of the first,” says Ben Thompson, partner and chief strategy officer at Storyland Studios. “It’s a fantastic opportunity to recognize aspiring talent in the themed entertainment world, and to lead the way by opening doors for the next generation of designers and architects.”
The brief that participants will be given is intended to assess their ability to interpret, conceptualise and ultimately deliver an attraction that may be implemented in indoor spaces such as malls and entertainment centres.
A panel of industry experts will evaluate the teams’ work following the concept delivery phase, after which the entries will be narrowed down through a meticulous process. The top ten concepts will be sent for additional examination and evaluation, and the winning entry will be asked to present at IAAPA Expo 2024.
“It’s so important to give a platform to future talent in the industry,” says Mel McGowan, co-founder and chief creative officer at Storyland Studios. “Just as our generation followed in the steps of great visionaries like Walt Disney, we want to offer fresh talent a place where they can showcase their creativity and get their work in front of industry leaders and influencers.”
The previous winners
A team of six from the Netherlands, comprising Nicky de Waal, Wim Strijbosch, Tim Beeren, Mark van Rooij, and Vincent Keuchen, won the previous Design Challenge in 2021. Their idea, “Taste of Europe – The Tasteful Travels of Olivier Flambé,” won over the judges, who were a carefully chosen group of industry experts.
“We are extremely proud of this result,” said De Waal. “We all knew each other before partaking in the challenge, but we had never really worked together as a team. It is so cool to see what has come out of this first-time cooperation and to see it rewarded with first place in an international contest with 79 other entries.”
“[This was] a great team effort to develop a classic theme park experience with every single detail needed for an extraordinary adventure,” said Michael Mack of Europa-Park, Mack One and Mack Rides, who sat on the 2021 Design Challenge judging panel. “[Taste of Europe is] a well-developed combination of every aspect of a theme park ride, [and] a great idea for a new ride system.”
In the coming weeks, participants and followers will have access to further information about this challenge, such as the full design brief and the judging panel of industry experts.
Earlier this year, Storyland Studios announced that it has expanded its integrated offerings to include a landscape architecture practice, led by Rob Moffat. Storyland’s master plans have always included landscape architecture services. For over 20 years, the firm has worked with other partners to provide this service. It now provides landscape architecture in-house.
