Media Com Grad Designs for Narnia Exhibition
Prof. Greg Bandy ’76 knew James Donaldson ’07 had design talent from the first project Donaldson turned in for Bandy's Interactive Media I class. He had a hunch someone would discover James soon, so he wasn't too surprised that the likes of Walt Disney Studios and Walden Media tapped so quickly into his talent.
Donaldson recently completed all graphic design work for The Becker Group's "The Narnia Exhibition." The exhibition opened in Phoenix in June and will embark on an international tour according to the company website.
Becker Group is re-creating scenes of author C.S. Lewis's famed literary fantasy world of "Narnia," in partnership with Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures and Walden Media as they bring worldwide audiences "The Chronicles of Narnia: The Exhibition," a state-of-the-art educational exhibit.
The 10,000-square-foot exhibit will appear at internationally renowned museums and learning institutions in a minimum of 10 cities around the world over a five-year span, escorting guests of all ages on a tour of myth, magic and adventure that so embodied Lewis's fantasy world. Incorporating the movies’ original props with newly created interactive elements, "The Chronicles of Narnia: The Exhibition" allows visitors to enter three-dimensional settings of both fantasy and reality, including a recreation of Lewis’s personal study. Visitors are also immersed in environments such as the famous attic and wardrobe that serve as the portal into the Narnia adventures. Once inside, guests are transported into a wintry Narnia world complete with falling snow and cold wind, as seen in the series’ first film, “The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe." The tour then continues through other spectacles from the series including the White Witch’s ice palace, Cair Paravel, an actual trebuchet that was used as a catapulting weapon in medieval days, and additional sets and environments from the film in current release, "The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian."
During Donaldson's time at Asbury, he regularly worked with Bandy, the Media Communication department and Asbury College's communications department to create a wide array of outstanding graphics for all media. Donaldson worked on several award-winning projects which included: Department of Justice educational videos, The Amazing Grace Educational Resource DVD, and several HighBridge Film Festival DVDs.
"Asbury College gave me the opportunities and the flexibility in college to work with real-world, high-level design projects which were exactly where my career was headed," says Donaldson.
Bandy adds, "James is undoubtedly one of the best designers I've worked with in my career. I'm extremely proud of him and happy that he has connected right out of college with several of the premier creative corporations in the world."
Tagged: cslewis, prince-caspian and media-communications
