Geoffrey Woodward

Creative Executive
Leading-Edge Design & Technology • Storytelling • Efficient Execution • High Revenue Return

About Me.

Agile, flexible, and adaptable Creative Executive with extensive experience spanning entertainment, cultural, and educational industries. Specialize in conceptual design and development, themed concept architecture, intellectual property and branded venues, show production, and large-scale developments. Demonstrate firm grounding in principles and practicalities of themed design from concept through construction, including scheduling, budgeting, and resource allocation. Proven track record of creating innovative, immersive experiences for multi-million-dollar themed entertainment projects and recreational property developments. Notable clients include Walt Disney Company, Warner Brothers, Mitsubishi Corporation, Simon Weinsenthal Center, and Turning Stone Resort Casino.

Value Proposition

Innovative leader in the creative and entertainment arts with the unique power to tell stories that tantalize audiences, exemplified by the development of deeply immersive and entertaining projects both domestically and internationally. Builder of experiential venues in settings as diverse as restaurants, entertainment, and cultural centers, delivering deeply visceral encounters that are unforgettable and result in repeat visitation. Thoughtful and provocative with broad cultural understanding.

Proven success bringing brands and intellectual properties to life so that guests are immersed into a three-dimensional world – one filled with discovery and wonder utilizing innovative technology and state-of-the-art know how to support the brand’s story.

Outstanding outcomes with museums and exhibits that invite visitors to become a part of the story with them. Strength is in visualization in approach and design, but also highly kinesthetic, a strong feeling or sense of “heart.” Focused on creating an experience for guests, and not solely something to merely be observed or felt.

  • Engaging

    Leader in developing creative concepts and designs.

  • Entertaining

    Create and facilitate lively environments. Projects reflect impeccable flair and demonstrate the highest levels of forethought, ingenuity, adeptness, and artisanship, bringing end results that can be splendidly magnetic.

  • Educating

    Craftful and artistic. Passionate about preserving historical integrity while still applying benefits of modern technology, making it relatable to guests. Demonstrate multi-cultural empathy, presenting an approach that respects and connects with diverse sets of stakeholders.

  • Enlightening

    Create experiences for others and seek ways to undertake projects that may otherwise languish and reinvigorate them.

  • Value Driven

    Simplified approach to quantifying success by measuring the results of efforts by the degree of joy witnessed in the eyes and expressions of others. Combine extensive industry experience with youthful ideas and exuberance.

  • Decisive

    First encourage collaboration, then synthesize the very best ideas to formulate the most outstanding suggestions into a thoughtful, dynamic, targeted, and comprehensive solution. Adapt well to changing circumstances, yet remain resolute to timely and client-centric outcomes.

Achievements

Achievements.

SUCCESS STORIES

Vision Development & Delivery

  • Executed urban revitalization for small town through strategic phasing plan that enabled city to complete fundraising required to continue design development for project. Read Full Story
  • Led conceptualization, design, and programming of 50,000-square-foot exhibit space for new museum in Jerusalem with multiple levels of interactives to engage visitors.
  • Achieved story continuity by focusing on concept vision and weaving it into design, production, and construction phases.

Creativity & Innovation

  • 30% increase in archaeological museum guest attendance accomplished through development of new architectural design and innovative exhibit experiences that tripled size of existing museum. Read Full Story
  • Served as executive creative producer and project manager for Disneyland Paris, Disneyland California, EPCOT Center, Tokyo DisneySea, Shanghai Disney, and Disney Stores worldwide.

Strategic Leadership

  • Increased production budget by 15% through new vendor strategy that distributed large-scale production over shorter timeline. Read Full Story
  • Reduced budgets while improving guest experience by discovering new methods of team building and project outsourcing.

Event Planning

  • Boosted team growth and respect between varying cultures and disciplines through implementation of quarterly events featuring regional foods and music, cultural performances, and educational layers. Read Full Story

International Management

  • Delivered successful Japan-based project that yielded strong business relationships by setting up cultural training classes for U.S. team members. Read Full Story

New Product Development

  • Grew resort merchandising revenue by designing retail and show experiences that incorporated Chinese culture while preserving Disney brand and intellectual properties. Read Full Story

Project Management

  • Delivered projects on budget and on schedule through understanding of project controls and metrics.
  • Streamlined project efforts and decreased costs by developing and cultivating strong business relationships with outside consultants and vendors.

Work History.

click on a job title for more information

1992 – Present

Taft Design + Associates, Inc | Valencia, CA

International design and production firm specializing in innovative, award-winning theme park development and museum design projects.

Founder/President/Executive Producer

Oversee all client contracts and interfaces, as well as story and concept design that become design direction for each project. Manage project budgets ranging $5 million to $350 million. Supervise teams comprised of up to 80 members spanning all required disciplines. Consistently exceed client expectations and deliver first-rate visitor experiences. Integrate cultural nuances into merchandising and experiences, as well as latest technology and innovation into all designs and projects, to drive repeat visitation.

  • 30% increase in archaeological museum guest attendance accomplished through development of new architectural design and innovative exhibit experiences that tripled size of existing museum.
  • Increased production budget by 15% through new vendor strategy that distributed large-scale production over shorter timeline.
  • Led conceptualization, design, and programming of 50,000-square-foot exhibit space for new museum in Jerusalem with multiple levels of interactives to engage visitors.
  • Grew resort merchandising revenue by designing retail and show experiences that incorporated Chinese culture while preserving Disney brand and intellectual properties.
  • Executed urban revitalization for small town through strategic phasing plan that enabled city to complete fundraising required to continue design development for project.
  • Delivered successful Japan-based project that yielded strong business relationships by setting up cultural training classes for U.S. team members.
  • Boosted team growth and respect between varying cultures and disciplines through implementation of quarterly events featuring regional foods and music, cultural performances, and educational layers.

KEY PROJECTS
City of Rome – Arts District, 2020–2023
Developed story narrative and placemaking for new arts district that included design concepts for bronze sculpture gardens, town green arts plaza with entertainment, year-round community program and venues, and overall graphics with landscape integration of themed historical and cultural elements.

Sylvan Beach Revitalization, 2019–2020
Master planned revitalization of Sylvan Beach through story narratives and historical research. Provided overall architectural concepts that supported program requirements and allowed for cohesive, well-thought-out, and vibrant community design.

American Revolution Museum, 2015–2017
Conceptualized and designed overall Oneida Indian Nation story integration for museum and Oneida exhibit, which shared historical story experiences through theatrical settings and recreated key figures of Oneida tribesmen.

National Museum of the American Indian, 2013–2017
Created immersive, sensory storytelling approach to capture Oneida’s important role in country’s history in relation to American Revolution.

Walt Disney Imagineering – Shanghai Disney Resort, 2012–2016
Provided Senior Creative Producer services for Main Entry, Mickey Avenue, and Gardens of Imagination. Implemented and maintained themes, Brand/IP integration, stories, team casting, schedules, budgets, and production strategies throughout design development, production, and installation phases.

University of Alabama – Moundville Archaeological Museum, 2008–2010
Designed, developed, and expanded existing historical museum. Created compelling story experience comprised of in-action tribal wedding procession into expanded exhibit area, retail shop, and café with observatory deck.

Dubai DreamWorks – DreamWorks Theme Park, 2008–2009
Directed concept, design, and program development to deliver masterplan with estimating, attraction schedules, RD&E development, and entertainment venues to complement overall theme park.

Simon Wiesenthal Center – Museum of Tolerance, 2003–2005
Designed and produced “Finding Our Families, Finding Ourselves” exhibit that traced genealogical family stories of Billy Crystal, Dr. Maya Angelou, Joe Torre, and Carlos Santana.

It’s a Wonderful Life, 2001–2002
Developed and programmed 40-acre masterplan for year-round park themed to period of “It’s a Wonderful Life.” Created adjacent RD&E component with unique guest experience concepts.

PREVIOUS EXPERIENCE

Walt Disney Imagineering | Glendale, CA

Walt Disney Company’s design and development segment that creates resorts worldwide.

Created new lands with rides, shows, retail, and restaurants as part of company’s international resort program. Contributed to projects ranging $100 million to $400 million with teams of up to 75 personnel. Delivered clear follow-through solutions for all construction interface of shows and thematic elements.

  • Served as executive creative producer and project manager for Disneyland Paris, Disneyland California, EPCOT Center, Tokyo DisneySea, Shanghai Disney, and Disney Stores worldwide.
  • Reduced budgets while improving guest experience by discovering new methods of team building and project outsourcing.
  • Achieved story continuity by focusing on concept vision and weaving it into design, production, and construction phases.
  • Streamlined project efforts and decreased costs by developing and cultivating strong business relationships with outside consultants and vendors.
  • Delivered projects on budget and on schedule through understanding of project controls and metrics.
Download My Resume

EDUCATION

General Studies Degree
College of the Redwoods

GET IN TOUCH

Contact Me.

Geoffrey Woodward

Valencia, CA
626.318.0956 | geoffrey@taftdesign.com
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