Meet One of PHXDW’s Keynote Speakers, Steve Thompson
Imagine working day in and day out at what has been dubbed as the “Happiest Place on Earth.” For Steve Thompson, principal designer for The Walt Disney Company, this is merely a requirement of his job. What’s even more exciting is that come this October, Steve will be joining us in Phoenix for the 10th annual Phoenix Design Week (PHXDW) as a keynote speaker for the week’s main event, the Beyond Design Conference on October 6 & 7.
PHXDW is a week-long series of events from October 5–12 that bookend the Beyond Design Conference. This grassroots effort created in 2009 by local designer and executive director of Lost Creature, Mark Dudlik, presents Arizona’s community with an opportunity to unite under a common passion for all things design.
Steve is among an impressive lineup of speakers who are titans of design in their own regard. He joined The Walt Disney Company in 1994 after attending California Institute of the Arts and began as a senior character artist, working on Pocahontas merchandise before making the jump to feature animation. Steve spent the next 10 years working alongside the industry’s top animators on such films as The Hunchback of Notre Dame, Hercules, Tarzan and The Emperor’s New Groove. Pretty cool, right?
In 2005, Steve transitioned to The Disney Stores and currently serves as a principal designer for the company. In this position, he immortalizes our favorite classic Disney characters in the form of product art, high-end collectibles, snow globes, ornaments, toys, dolls, and the list continues.
With nearly 25 years at the same company, Steve will be the first to say that he has yet to become bored. His creative process has continued to evolve with changing styles, tastes and technology. However, no matter the task at hand, Steve’s begins every project same way: with a drawing.
Eager to learn more about Steve prior to PHXDW? Look no further.
- Tell us about a project or accomplishments from the past 10 years that had a major impact on your life or career.
I had an opportunity to work with one of my animation heroes, Glen Keane, shortly before he retired from the Disney studio. He was the lead animator and creator of Ariel from The Little Mermaid. After a long talk when the project wrapped he did a drawing for me that I will never forget. On it he wrote, “Your work is inspiring. Ariel continues to live through you. Keep going!” It reminds me every day to keep doing the best work I can do. - What keeps you going when you’re focused on a project? Is there a
particular saying or song that gets you moving?
I’ve always been inspired by the saying, “if you dream it, you can do it.” At the end of the day, it’s true. It’s amazing what we can achieve with some creativity and a drive to make things a reality. - What’s your superpower, or one you wish you have?
It’s not so much a super power, but in my spare time I attend a circus school in Los Angeles and I can sometimes be found performing on the trapeze. It makes me feel like I have a super power. Or maybe a secret identity! - What design or career advice would you give to your younger self?
Never be afraid of a great opportunity. You never know where it will lead. Your career path will take you many places, sometimes unexpectedly. Follow what feels right for you and enjoy the ride. - If you were given the opportunity to see into the future, what would you
want to know?
I would want to know where my career will lead me. It’s been a really interesting journey so far. Even after 20+ years working as an artist/designer, I often feel like I’m just getting started. - How do you think design impacts your everyday life? The community?
As a designer I am always thinking about how things I’ve designed will be used, where they might end up and who they might end up with. Knowing that someone will bring something into their home that I played a role in designing is the ultimate reward. - If you hadn’t ended up in the career you are in, what do you think you’d be be doing?
For me, there was no plan B.
