With over 15 years of design experience, Renata has delivered creative visions, while maintaining brand identity and storytelling by working effectively on highly complex projects within the diverse perspectives of multi-disciplinary teams. Renata specializes in environmental design, branding, design packages, environmentally responsible and economically feasible design including safe design for animals of all sizes.

Renata’s Projects At Previous Firms

Disney’s Animal Kingdom – Flight of Passage / World of Pandora

FULL CREATIVE VISION FOR THEA AWARD-WINNING AREA AND ATTRACTION.

Renata delivered creative vision from concept and design development to building-ready design packages, working with multi-disciplinary project teams to bring the world of Avatar to life. She maintained story and consistency
while collaborating, problem-solving and value-engineering with team members.

She successfully estimated design time, managed the design schedules, and helped freelance designers and junior team members to deliver the projects on time and on budget.

Cuffy’s Boardwalk

TRANSPORTING GUESTS BACK IN TIME TO A BEAUTIFULLY THEMED, UNIQUE DESTINATION EXPERIENCE THAT BLENDS THE CHARM OF CAPE COD WITH AN UNFORGETTABLE SHOPPING ENVIRONMENT

Like many themed destinations, Cuffy’s of Cape Cod had humble beginnings. Dominick Ablano dreamed of creating a shopping and family entertainment attraction in the Cape. He started out selling T-shirts from the back of his mom’s car in 1980. Over time, Cuffy’s grew into a premiere stop for travellers and locals alike.

In addition to period architectural stylings, Cuffy’s follows parallel stories and themes throughout the experience. Visitors follow the stories of fictional immigrant families putting down roots in New England alongside Ablano’s own story of starting and scaling Cuffy’s.

The goal was to create a family shopping destination that’s one-of-a-kind.

Guests at Cuffy’s of Cape Cod enjoy a lively shopping experience on the boardwalk. Shop at the turn-of-the-century-style emporium or beach club, enjoy a treat from the confectionary or the general store, or browse the household goods at the Cottage Kitchen.

Visitors will also find a life-saving station boathouse, where they can learn about this fixture in Cape history. Cuffy’s is off to a fantastic start and has been a rousing success so far. Its guests love being transported back in time. You’ll find them enjoying a game of checkers at the general store, or savoring a snack in one of the many rocking chairs along the boardwalk. Families love engaging in seasonal activities such as crafting, face painting, and building sand sculptures.

*Renata completed these projects before joining Storyland Studios. All images have been sourced from the public domain and belong to their original owners.

Rick Chavez, Senior Graphic Designer at Storyland Studios, is a pro at taking graphic and theming projects from the BlueSky concept phase all the way through to construction. With over four decades of experience, Rick started his career in hand lettering and mural painting for themed and retail environments, as well as graphic design and illustration for print. He has experience in designing corporate architectural signs and graphics, fabrication and installation of graphics and signage, code and construction details, construction management, permits, and project management. 

Prior to Storyland, Rick ran a small design business specializing in entertainment, restaurant, and residential projects. He also worked for multiple design firms, including Hunt Design in Pasadena, California, where he worked on projects for The Walt Disney Company, Warner Bros., San Diego Airport, Children’s Hospital of Los Angeles, The Henry Ford, and Greenfield Village. Through Exhibit Enterprises, Rick was hired to work on the retail concourse at Staple Center. 

When he’s not working, Rick is a DJ and an avid vinyl record collector specializing in dance music. He also records music, is currently learning guitar, and mentors young DJs in the art of music selection and mixing. Rick enjoys spending time with his partner, Lucie, and his granddaughter, collecting design and illustration books, attending toy and comic conventions, and searching for the perfect tiki drink. 

Rick’s Projects at Previous Firms

Warner Bros. Movie World Madrid

Rick provided graphic design and signage for multiple locations within the Warner Bros. Movie World Madrid theme park in Madrid, Spain. 

Bowlium

Rick created the visual branding, graphic design, and signage for Bowlium, Splits Lounge, and Champ’s Arcade, located in Montclair, California. 

Children’s Hospital of Los Angeles

Rick designed signage, environmental graphics, and theming within the facilities at Children’s Hospital of Los Angeles.

Bryce Reyes serves as a Creative Lead at Storyland Studios, bringing storytelling, design, creative, and strategic experience to client projects from a variety of industries. Bryce’s 14 years of experience on the Storyland team, plus a varied professional background in graphic and brand design, have made him well-versed in communicating branding in various dimensions, including strategic, interactive, and spatial. From large-scale architectural projects to cafes, web environments to apps, and church branding to sports design, Bryce leverages his diverse range of creative expertise to drive excellence across Storyland’s multidisciplinary, multi-industry projects.  

 When he’s not immersed in design or creative development, Bryce enjoys spending time with his kids.  

As Storyland’s Associate Art Director, Desiree Lukowiak wears many hats. She acts as a creative lead, determining the creative vision of each project and overseeing our design teams from concept to final renders. When she’s not leading a project’s creative direction, Desiree leverages her 12 years of design experience and seven years in themed entertainment to support other projects through narrative design, research, and environmental graphic design. 

Prior to Storyland, Desiree was a member of the creative team at Saddleback Church, supporting the main campus and 17 satellite campuses worldwide. When she’s not at work, she volunteers as the leader of a team of D&D Dungeon Masters who run a living campaign at her local game store. She loves playing board games with friends and family, attending Renaissance faires, and going to conventions to celebrate her favorite shows and hobbies.

Desiree’s Projects

LEGOLAND® Christmas Experience

Desiree served as creative director for the revamp of the LEGOLAND® Christmas Experience.

Museum of the Bible

As art director, Desiree oversaw creative for the Museum of the Bible’s Scripture and Science exhibit.

Anime Expo

Desiree was the creative lead for Anime Expo’s visual storytelling experience, where she oversaw the creation of the event’s wayfinding system, event branding, and merchandising. 

Ed McGowan is an experienced Design Director and Creative Lead with over 25 years of expertise in multiple industries, including themed entertainment. He’s equipped with a multifaceted design proficiency and a comprehensive skill set, including branding, interactive, and spatial thematic experience. Prior to his work at Storyland, Ed provided design direction at Primedia Group. 

Ed’s Projects

Kebulania: A Nollywood Studio City

Ed provided branding and development work for Kebulania, a Nollywood studio city planned for the film industry in Lagos, Nigeria.

Catalyst Houston

For Catalyst Houston, an upscale, high-rise condominium complex in Houston, Texas, Ed provided design and digital experience support. 

Glen Ivy Hot Springs

Ed worked to develop the physical and web experience for Glen Ivy Hot Springs, located in Temescal Valley, California. 

Museum of the Bible

Ed acted as web designer for Museum of the Bible in Washington, D.C.