Michael Dobrzycki ’98 has been adding his creativity and imagination to the park for over two decades. As art director at Walt Disney Imagineering in Anaheim, he’s put his mark on the visual identity of several iconic Disneyland attractions—Space Mountain, Autopia, and Dumbo, just to name a few—as well as limited-time events like Star Wars: Season of the Force.
With every new addition, he helps keep the magic alive.
For Dobrzycki, this high-profile work involves both a team effort and concentrated attention. On a regular basis, he juggles deadline-driven creative projects while working in what he describes as an “intensely collaborative environment.”
“I really enjoy the fact that I get to work with some of the most accomplished and talented designers in their fields, on projects that are incredibly meaningful to people all around the world," he said. "I also find it both humbling and satisfying to think that millions of people get to experience our work every year.”
Dobrzycki joined the Disney Company as a regular cast member at Disneyland park while attending Whittier, where he majored in art and history. He was able to develop his academic and artistic strengths thanks to the strong connections he formed with his professors. Almost every day as he helps craft new pieces of Walt Disney's park, Dobrzycki still considers the lessons Professor David Sloan taught him.
Moreover, he believes it was at Whittier where he gained the confidence to make a career in the visual arts.
“My undergraduate experience was a period of great joy and personal growth for me,” said Dobrzycki. “I am convinced that the interdisciplinary curriculum and focus on making connections between broad topics makes me a better problem-solving designer today.”
