Electric Umbrella

Certainly the most unusually themed restaurant in Epcot (if not all of Walt Disney World) is the Electric Umbrella. Beginning its life as the awesomely titled (and yet completely irrelevant) “Stargate Restaurant” the quick service facility was re-themed in 1994 by Disney Legend Rolly Crump based on a literal merchandise item sold at Centorium during the time.

Although not original to the restaurant, these relatively new carpet titles continue Rolly’s characteristically kooky theme by complimenting the venue’s over-scaled umbrellas above with giant rings of multi-colored water droplets below. 

Personal Note:
I’ve recently heard that I’m becoming infamous in Epcot circles as “the guy that’s been doing all the carpets!” And although that’s funny, it’s not exactly what I’d like people to know E82 for. Fortunately, there are only a few (3) custom carpets left in the park to “get out of my system”. Especially ones like this of such exacting detail…

Designer’s Note:
In this specific case, the Electric Umbrella has a few unique properties that were difficult to master, including a seemingly random tile pattern and alternating seam lines/groves consumed over 60% of my in recreating the piece. For while the circular forms themselves were quite easy to make, figuring-out the right thickness and application of lines that would scale correctly for the computer screen took an considerable amount of trial & error to achieve. 

Vista Series - Bioluminescence

From its remarkably complex curvilinear exterior to its “incredible voyage of the discovery”, The Living Seas Vista pays tribute to the architecture and effects of what was once “the world’s sixth largest ocean”.  For this edition, defused light rays and water caustics symbolize the remarkable journey from the surface to the depths that welcome us to Sea Base Alpha. 

Designer’s Note: After almost a year hiatus, The Vista Series returns with what will probably be the single most complex line-art for all of Epcot’s 22 pavilions. The Living Seas architecture (just like all other original pavilions) abstractly conveys the theme of the pavilion. In this case, it appears to be constructed entirely of waves frozen into a state of structural rigidity — no easy task for any architect. Nor was it easy for to translate its highly sculptural three-dimensional forms into a strictly 2D format. This process that was especially difficult when one considers that all components of its design flow seamlessly into each other making it particularly challenging to complete a single shape without first considering all others.
Although the structure rightly received most of its accolades for its interior engineering, the exterior is no less impressive and after this experience I have even more respect for the designers and architects at WDI and Montgomery Watson for what they were able to achieve nearly 30 years ago.

Gateway Gifts

One of the quainter shops in Future World, Gateway Gifts more than makes-up for its miniscule Square Footage with its location — in both architecture and proximity. If one can look past the merchandise, Gateway Gifts possesses intriguing design. From its multi-level future-industrial ceiling treatments to its impressive view of the geosphere it supports, the shop itself is a subtle but prime example EPCOT Center’s unique architectural achievements.

What is not subtle is Gateway Gifts custom carpet. Installed in the 1990’s (probably to focus the eye downward towards the purpose of the shop), even this element echoes the geodesic structure of Spaceship Earth in a uniquely subversive manner. 

Designer’s Note: I know your probably thinking that I’ve spent a little too much time looking at walls and floors lately and I’ll be the first to agree with you. But, I always try to design things that fulfill more than one purpose at a time, and this Texture has a lot to do with the new section of E82 opening just after the beginning of next year.

In any case, I should transition from the mundane to the miraculous aspects of Epcot soon!     

Kinetic Mosaic

Although its narrative is decidedly petroleum centric, the entire Universe of Energy pavilion itself stands in tribute the Sun. Everything from its shape to its position and even its color scheme reinforces the theme of power from the sun.

Perhaps the most impressive and powerful example of Energy’s theme is the magnificent mural that welcomes us into the pavilion. This stunning piece of art is (in many ways) a perfect blending of art, science and technology. Executed in an Old World mosaic style that prophetically foreshadows 8-bit computer image design, the mural is a depiction of our Sun as seen through the lens of thermographic camera. But far from a merely scientific representation this mural subtly illustrates both our scale and relationship to our mother star. For just outside the reach of its deadly rays, the Earth, as represented by the infinitesimally small white dot on the far right, demonstrates its perfectly positioned orbit that simultaneously protects us and allows us to thrive on its power. 

Designer’s Note: This desktop holds the record for the longest gestation period of any of E82’s projects. Initially began in March of 2010, the mural was completely documented in vector form piece with the aid of over 30 source photos resulting in an over 99% accurate re-creation in digital space. The mural was completed several months later, but due its complexity and narrow aspect ratio the asset sat unused for 2 years afterward.

In no way a definitive depiction its just today’s best efforts to display what is a very wide mural in a (still wide but nevertheless) much more narrow canvas.                        

If anyone is interested in a close-up (Texture Series edition) of this mural please let me know.

Formatting for the Future

For several months now I’ve been haunted by a single horrible thought…

What if E82 Visitors were not downloading the highest quality versions of my backgrounds?

Furthermore, how bad is it that users have to click through multiple screens (and websites!) just to get the high-res images? Ever since I converted the ART section last year to a gallery, I’ve been somewhat dissatisfied with the content delivery of my backgrounds. And for months, I’ve been researching the best method of downloading with an appropriately retro-futuristic presentation and here are the results…

 

E82’s Art section now features direct downloads of ALL* past backgrounds, but it doesn’t stop there. In addition to the Full & Wide Screen formats, two NEW ratios have been created that allow you to display The Epcot Legacy on to-go devices with our iPad/tablet & Cellular/iPhone formats.

Finally, while preparing the backgrounds for the migration to on-site hosting I couldn’t help but make a few subtle (and some blatantly obvious) improvements to most desktops and a few custom compositions for the new formats that (I think) surpass the originals!

So head over to the ART section and re-discover the collection in a fresh new way!

How many changes can you see?

*Note: The only background yet to make it on-site is the Lights of Winter Collection. I noticed a few technical errors that will take a little more time to correct.

BTW, to my fellow Cast Members (& Imagineers) this also marks the first time you’ll be able to view/display E82 Desktops on your work computers!