Ever since sketching themepark rides as a six-year-old inspired by Disney’s Tower of Terror™, interior design graduate Karina Nelson (BS, ‘26) dreamed of creating immersive worlds. Now, after years of blending storytelling, design, and experiential thinking at the University of Minnesota College of Design, she is beginning her career with Walt Disney Imagineering. Nelson shared her reflections on the mentors, projects, and moments that shaped her path from aspiring “Imagineer” to professional designer.
Background & Experience
Can you share a bit about yourself and your path to the interior design program at the University of Minnesota?
I grew up in a very creative household; my mom is a landscape architect, so I am no stranger to design and constant ideation. I was always encouraged to sketch, model, paint, etc., and that passion didn’t stop when it came to designing spaces. On the flip side, my dad is a high school physics and chemistry teacher, so I also have always been around the math and science side of the world, too – getting perspectives on life both creatively and logically. To top it off, all the members of my family, down to my great-grandparents, are University of Minnesota Alumni, so it was a no-brainer as to which college I would attend!
What drew you to interior design as a field of study?
I like to say that I wanted to be an Imagineer before I knew what interior design was. Because my mom has always been in the commercial architecture field, I grew up seeing a lot of behind-the-scenes work on projects, including theme parks! I visited the Disney Parks regularly throughout my childhood, checking out new projects as they moved along. On one trip to Walt Disney World when I was six years old, I was finally allowed to ride the big-kid rides and went on the Tower of Terror™ attraction for the very first time. I remember how visceral the experience was, feeling the sidewalk shift under my feet, hearing the ominous jazz music through the speakers, seeing the sparkling cobwebs throughout the intricately designed queue – and I think that’s when it hit me! I dragged my dad back onto that ride at least three times after this; he thought it was because I loved the ride, but really, I just wanted to peek at the queue again. After that, I knew I didn’t know what job it really was, but I wanted to make things like that for the rest of my life.
Were there any classes, projects, or experiences during your time in the interior design program that were especially meaningful to you?
Absolutely! I honestly think my senior thesis project has been the most meaningful to me because I truly got to make it my own. It’s no secret that themed entertainment design isn’t necessarily common as a practice, and it isn’t included in coursework for interior design at the University of Minnesota – I really had to seek out opportunities to add my own flair into projects wherever I could, until the thesis came around. Our prompt was to revitalize a vacant building within the Minneapolis Theater District into a space that provides wellness for the city, in whatever capacity we believe fits best. To me, this was an opportunity to showcase a themed entertainment project that could fit into a regular cityscape, rather than within a theme park. My thesis was titled “The Never-Ending Winter” and follows the story of the real-life Blizzard of 1991, which occurred in Minneapolis on Halloween night, 1991. However, in my concept, I altered the story to be that the blizzard never ended, technologically trapping Minnesotans in the 90’s. With this, I designed an immersive performance, restaurant, and event venue that utilizes laughter as medicine and nostalgia as a driving force of return. I was able to incorporate so many fun immersive elements into all the design spaces in this project, and it really felt like the first time I could let my brain run wild and see what I could create!
Dreaming of Disney
When did you first realize you wanted to work at Disney?
I always thought I would have a career in the arts or design, but it wasn’t until I was six years old that I really set my sights on becoming a Disney Imagineer. I think I understood by that point that there had to be people making these imaginary places seem real, and I wanted to find any way to get into that scene and make some of my own! After returning from that trip to Walt Disney World at six years old, I used black construction paper and blue crayons to draw up the blueprints for an original ride concept following the characters from the Disney Pixar film "Brave," using a choose-your-own-adventure trackless ride system (before they were real)! I handed it to my mom one day and told her to mail it to Disney Imagineering, and to let me know when they followed up with construction details … they never did, but I think my parents started taking me seriously in this dream after that point.
What about Disney inspired you or made it a goal for you?
There was never a point in my early childhood that I doubted that what I was seeing in the Disney theme parks was real, and even when I did eventually grow up and realize that the parks were fabricated, it didn’t change how magical they were. There is something so special about being able to create a space that, even after its secrets of design, construction, and fabrication are revealed, stays immersive and truly memorable. To me, I think the ability to create these spaces isn’t a way to show off with technology, or intricate design – it’s a way to tell a story and make it unique and memorable for every person that witnesses it. In my mind, the most rewarding part of a themed entertainment design project isn’t how long it takes to make, or how many awards it wins – it’s how many people remember it as a place that truly captures the essence of fiction, in a tangible and interactive way.
Did that goal influence the way you approached your coursework or projects?
Yes! Given that I went to college hoping to one day work in Imagineering, every choice I’ve made in my education has always been creatively driven. I knew that Disney applications were rigorous and complex, and that creativity was of the utmost importance when displaying a project to the company. I’ve always tried to sneak elements of storytelling, immersive technology, or intricate conceptual design into my educational projects over the years and have sought out helpful internship opportunities that prioritized hospitality and highly detailed design in their work. In terms of coursework, I added a minor in interdisciplinary design to my degree in my sophomore year of college to allow me to take more courses that revolved around various aspects of design. In doing this, I was able to fine-tune graphic design, architecture, and landscape skills, and generally learn more about the many different disciplines that work around interior design. This absolutely helped me to understand the world of themed entertainment better and gave me tools that assisted in being a more well-rounded designer.
Transition to Your Career
Can you tell us about the process of landing your role at Disney?
It was a long process… I began being mentored by an architect with Disney Imagineering at 15 years old and never stopped – he is actually a member of my thesis advising committee today! I’ve enjoyed discussing project work, internship prep, and various facets of immersive design with him over the years, and eventually began applying for the position my sophomore year of college. After several attempts, I received my offer! I felt that my work had evolved to show my personality and design style in a way that felt true to myself, and that the years of work to get there had all been for a reason.
What was that moment like when you found out you got the job?
Honestly, it was surreal. I received a call from my recruiter on a random day of the week to announce to me that I had been offered a position, and it took me completely by surprise – in a good way! I think my friends and family were more emotive than I was… they’d always known how big of a deal this was to me, so it truly felt like a win for my entire support system, not just me.
Reflections & Advice
How did your experience in the interior design program prepare you for your current role?
I think there are so many elements of going to the College of Design that prepare you for life outside of the university. For me, one of the biggest takeaways has been the ability to speak with instructors, jurors, clients, and peers about my projects in concise and confident ways that feel personal to who I am. I’ve learned that you have to be the biggest cheerleader for your work, and that your enthusiasm for a project is infectious and powerful. I also think learning about how the architecture and design world works is a great lesson for the real world, most importantly with sustainability. Knowing how to design for a greener planet is not only important, but essential. I’ve learned so much about green building standards throughout my college years, and feel ready to be a champion for sustainability in my professional career as well.
What skills or lessons from your time at the University of Minnesota have been most valuable so far?
You must be able to shift quickly and compromise. Design, especially in commercial settings, is based on the human experience, which no one has an identical version of. Be receptive to feedback and welcome it as a tool, rather than a complaint. Your instructors and jurors always want to see you become the best designer you can be, so always be open to change! Additionally, be open to communication. Go to that networking event! Join that club! Set up that informational interview! You truly never know where one simple choice can lead you, and the worst someone can say is no.
What advice would you give to current students who have big career goals like yours?
Don’t be afraid to be the person with the crazy dream! But at the same time, recognize that it takes work to make big dreams a reality. To be confident in a goal is truly a gift, but motivation can dwindle, especially without outside forces impacting you. Being a student is hard work, but for your dream, it is always worth it! If I could do it all over again, I wouldn’t change a thing – even with all the hours worked, rip-and-tears built, and Revit models crashed.
Looking Ahead
What are you most excited about in your role at Disney?
I’m so excited to be able to work with the Imagineering team on real world projects and see how that collaboration situates itself into the parks and resorts. Seeing the different facets of design from R&D, to graphics and conceptual design, to architecture and interiors is such a great example of teamwork amongst creatives, and I can’t wait to be a part of it all.
Learn more about Interior Design programs at the College of Design.
