Have you ever walked past something in a theme park and wondered about the story behind it? Imagine a seemingly simple mural hiding a clever design, a touch of humor, and a whole lot of history. That's exactly what's happening at Universal's Islands of Adventure! Let's dive into the creation of the new perfume-themed mural in the Port of Entry, revealing the secrets and artistic choices that went into bringing this vibrant artwork to life.
The mural is located just outside the recently renovated restrooms in Port of Entry – an area that serves as the park's welcoming hub. This colorful addition replaced what some considered an outdated and potentially offensive sign, marking a fresh, creative direction for the area. You might have already seen it, but did you know the fascinating backstory woven into its design?
The mastermind behind this eye-catching mural is Jodie Meade, a talented graphic designer with Universal Creative Placemaking. Her mission? To create an advertisement that felt authentic to the spirit of Port of Entry. "I went into the park and looked at all the murals out there," Jodie explained in a Discover Universal Blog post. "Port of Entry is a melting pot of different places and people, and they bring all their stuff together. The murals are basically advertisements for the goods and services offered by the locals that live there."
Jodie envisioned a water-based advertisement, incorporating the iconic Pharos Lighthouse. But here's where it gets controversial... Some might argue that advertisement within an immersive theme park detracts from the escapism. What do you think? Does it add to the realism, or break the illusion?
"I was playing around with different words for water, and I like French," she said. "I always like to throw in a pun where I can. I was wondering how I could incorporate ‘eau de toilette,’ which is perfume. Since Pharaoh’s lighthouse is tall and skinny, I thought it would be funny if it was a perfume bottle." And just like that, the concept was born! A lighthouse transformed into a perfume bottle – pure genius, right? This playful idea perfectly captures the whimsical spirit of Islands of Adventure.
The design evolved into a captivating mural featuring a lighthouse-shaped perfume bottle. An aged scroll displays the text "Îles De L’aventure Eau De Toilette Spray Since 1999." The year 1999 is, of course, a nod to the park's grand opening. This small detail adds a layer of historical significance, grounding the mural in the park's rich past. It's a subtle detail, but one that resonates with long-time fans of Islands of Adventure.
The blue waves that form the backdrop of the mural were thoughtfully designed to complement the existing Port of Entry Water Works Authority mural, which received a fresh coat of paint during the area's refurbishment. This careful consideration ensures that the new mural seamlessly integrates with the existing aesthetic of Port of Entry, creating a cohesive and visually appealing environment.
Bringing Jodie's vision to life was Heidi Scheumann, a seasoned painter and a 23-year veteran team member at Universal. Matching the colors perfectly was crucial to maintaining the authenticity of the mural. "I referenced a lot of older files from original Port of Entry facility drawings to try to find what colors they used, and manually matched them as closely as I could," Jodie explained. "Heidi came to our office and I had all my prints and color swatches for her to see. She brought swatches too, and we went over the whole mural to make sure she understood where I wanted the colors, and that I understood what the finished product would look like."
Heidi meticulously projected Jodie's drawing onto the wall, outlining the image with soft charcoal pencil before embarking on the painting process. And this is the part most people miss: the dedication to detail and the collaborative spirit between the designer and the painter.
"I’ll blend the colors together so they’re not just harsh lines, and I’ll age down the banner to give it some depth," Heidi explained. "I’ll have Jodie come out and approve things as I go." This iterative process ensured that the final product perfectly aligned with Jodie's vision and maintained the desired level of artistic quality.
Jodie was thrilled with the final result. "I was blown away when I first saw it after just one night [of painting]. Heidi made it come to life on the wall — she’s so good!" The mural's success is a testament to the talent and dedication of both Jodie and Heidi, as well as the collaborative spirit that thrives within Universal Creative.
So, what do you think of the new mural? Does it capture the essence of Port of Entry? Do you appreciate the subtle humor and historical references? Share your thoughts in the comments below! We'd love to hear your perspective on this unique piece of artwork and how it contributes to the overall atmosphere of Universal's Islands of Adventure. Do you think they could have done something different or better? Let's discuss!
