IDA Project - Roles & Responsibilities
Below are typical roles that need to be filled to complete each team. Sometimes people will do multiple roles over the course of the project, based on team needs. Use the descriptions as a guideline only.
Leadership Team
Responsible to bring the project to completion within quality, time and budget. Provides overall leadership to the project team. Sets and maintains communication protocols for the team (i.e. org chart). Needs a full understanding of all contract requirements, how to manage and incentivize team members. Coordinates, prioritizes and tracks team tasks with input from team leads. Represents the project with senior management and client. Is the final say on decisions. Project Manager
Creative Director
Leads and coordinates the Design Team. Creates an environment where everyone is free to share their best ideas. Will contribute whatever skills they may have, which often vary: ideas, sketching, colour selection, mood, etc. NOT the only person with ideas. Works with the Management team in progressing the project, ultimately defers to PM.Technical Director
Leads & coordinates all aspects of the Technical Team, to include liaising with the facility management and general contractor. Works with the Management team in progressing the project, ultimately defers to PM. The Technical Team will contribute to the overall design development & delivery of the project. Production Coordinator
Supports the above roles, typically with meeting minutes, research, document tracking, team logistics, and any other requested tasks. (Excellent entry role.) Computer and people skills a must. Direct report is the PM.Creative Team (Led by Creative Director)
Concept Developer & Writer
Contributes to the development of the story concept; all writing needs; character development.Art Director & Visualizer
Contributes the visual communication of the story in all mediums (e.g. sketching, computer graphics, etc.)Set Designer & Model Maker
Contributes the visual communication of the 'place' where the story lives; model making a plus (3D digital and/or physical).Architect
Contributes architectural solutions to integrate the theming to the building and to support any 'show' elements. Typically provides all scaled, computer assisted drafting (e.g. AutoCAD, Vectorworks, etc.)3D Visual Artist
Often the initial architectural drafting method, particularly for its communication of the project's spatial needs. Continue to integrate all visual detailing of the environment as provided by the Design Team and approved via the CD or AD.Media & Audio Director
Development of all supporting media and/or audio (e.g. ride compliance videos, story content in queues/main show, sound effects, etc.), from writing, storyboarding, shooting/composing and edit. If there is a non-visual need for music, a Music Director will be selected. Lighting Designer
The Lighting Designer will work with the creative team to support the story. Everything from atmosphere and scenic lighting to lighting effects. Will select the right equipment for the required effects. AV System Designer
The AV Designer will work with the creative team to support the story. Will select the right equipment for the required effects. Technical Team (Led by Technical Director)
AV, Lighting, & Control Engineers
Will confirm the right equipment to achieve the 'design intent', within the context of the ride building. This can include instrument selection, power requirements, head loads, digital support, utilies coodination, etc. Show Control Engineer/Programmer
The SC Engineer will work with the Creative Team to support the story. Will select the right system for the needs of the show and ultimately do the programming of each element.Ride Designer / Engineer
Works with the design team to narrow down equipment choices and to determine whether the desired ride already exists or needs a bespoke solution. In either case, fitting the ride into the building, is an engineering effort. Often, the ride indicates the building.Animated Props & Characters Designer
The Design Team will indicate what the character or prop will look like and how it needs to move to support the story. The AP & Character Designer/Engineer will determine the best materials and mechanical design to best support budget, efficiency and durability.This encompasses anything: water, smoke, fog, heat/cold, scents, wind, etc. Desired effects are noted by the Design Team and the Technical Team determines the technical solutions.Show Effects
Will work closely with the Media & Audio Director(s) to design and program the visual effects and responses that make the media interactive.Interactive Media Director
Operations
Accessibility
Admissions
F&B
Facility Maintenance
Fire & Safety
Guest Services
Retail
Security & IT
A design team should have one person - as a consultant usually - who can answer all related queries and to make sure that the attraction area meets all capacity and permitting requirements in an effort to operate efficiently and to drive revenue as needed. It is important that they be involved in the design process. This person will help to determine the measurements of areas required to support staff (e.g. locker & break rooms within a specific distance from work areas), restaurants (e.g. seating, registers, queues, kitchens & storage), retail (e.g. product placement, registers, queues & storage), guest services (e.g. toilets, ATMs, Lost Child, First Aid, etc.), etc.