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JOSEPH YAKOVETIC

Art Director – Art Instructor - Designer

Illustrator - Fine artist - Staging

WORK EXPERIENCE SKILLS

1974 - 2026 ART INSTRUCTOR COURSES/MEDIUM

ORANGE COUNTY Drawing & painting: COMMUNITY EDUCATION Charcoal, Oil painting

Commercial Art: intro to Graphic Design

ORANGE COUNTY HIGH Costume Design for

OF ARTS Illustrating, various

mediums

GRUMBACHER ART CLASS Oil and Acrylic painting

CLERMONT, FL ART CLASSES Oil and Acrylic painting

LEU GARDENS, FL ART CLASS Oil, Acrylic and Watercolor painting

1990 - 2026 ART DIRECTOR, DESIGNER: ART

SETS, COSTUMES, PROPS, Drawing, painting, faux finishes

CONCEPT ARTIST/ILLUSTRATOR digital art, graphics, art restoration work.

YAKOVETIC PRODUCTIONS Award winning Pumpkin/food sculpting

2017 ART DIRECTOR TECHNOLOGY

ITEC Entertainment, FL Mac: Adobe Creative Suit emphasis on Photoshop.

2004 - 2018 ART DIRECTOR/DESIGNER Some experience with Illustrator and In-Design,

DISNEYLAND. Proficient with Wacom Tablet, Wacom Cintiq WALT DISNEY WORLD Procreate on iPad and Micro Soft Word, TRADER JOE’S knowledge of Excel

1986 - 2005 ART DIRECTOR/DESIGNER KNOWLEDGE

DISNEY STORES, 20+ years experience designing –

TRADER JOE’S attractions for Theater and world-class theme parks.

MARANATHA! MUSIC. Designing and fabricating exhibits, events set/scenery,

CYPRESS COLLEGE environments and

20+ years production design and show

1998 – 2026 COSTUME, PROP, DEVELOPING development based on Disney and Universal

ATTRACTION & STORE DESIGN creative standards.

and CONCEPT ART Ability to communicate complex artistic ideas

WALT DISNEY CO through combination of written and visual

FELD ENTERTAINMENT materials.

RENAISSANCE ENTERTAINMENT Knowledge of color theory, set/scenery, art history,

perspective and storytelling

1992 – 2026 BOOK ILLUSTRATIONS,

HARD LINES ART & DIGITAL

HEADLINE BOOKS, THUNDER

BAY PRESS, DISNEY PUBLISHING,

TORR PUBLISHING, HARCOURT

BRACE JOVANOVICH PUBLISHING

MARANATHA! MUSIC, IngramSpark

AWARDS & HONORS

MOM’S CHOICE AWARDS – HONORING EXCELLENCE (2026)

Gold Award Recipient [The Heart of a Leader, Headline Books]

SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA CHILDREN’S BOOK FESTIVAL (2026)

First Runner Up For Best Children’s Book [The Heart of a Leader, Headline Books]

INDEPENDENT PRESS AWARD – DISTINGUISHED FAVORITE (2026)

Book cover Design – Children, Children’s Inspirational [The Heart of a Leader, Headline Books]

SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA CHILDREN’S BOOK FESTIVAL AWARD – BEST RUNNER-UP (2026)

[The Heart of a Leader, Headline Books]

THE CHERRY BLOSSOM MEDAL (2012)

In recognition of an individual’s contribution to their community or state. The medal honors civic, philanthropic, faith, business, and patriotic endeavors

CYPRESS RECREATION & COMMUNITY SERVICES COMMISSION (2010)

Outstanding Contribution to the Arts within the community

(3) DRAMALOGUE – Actors Co-Op, Los Angeles, CA

SET DESIGN [Guys and Dolls, Light Up the Sky, Steel Magnolias]

ROBBY AWARD – La Mirada Theatre of the Performing Arts, La Mirada

COSTUME DESIGN [Hurry! Hurry! Hollywood!]

MADDI AWARD – Actors Co-Op, Los Angeles, CA

SET DESIGN [Bullshot Crummond]

CALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITY FULLERTON

Theatre Fellowship Award for outstanding Achievement, COSTUME DESIGN

AMERICAN LEGION AWARD OF HONOR

Community service

EDUCATION

1971 – 1998 BACHELORS OF ARTS: ILLUSTRATION, COSTUMING, FINE ART, SCREENWRITING at CSUF with 3.30 GPA

LIFETIME TEACHING CREDENTIAL – ORANGE COUNTY COMMUNITY COLLEGE DISTRICT

Community College, Adult Education

Theater Production, Painting and Commercial Art

GRUMBACHER FINE ART INSTRUCTOR CERTIFICATE

2018 Teach Acrylic and Oil Painting at various vendor locations

EXPERIENCES

Introduction to figure drawing. Use observational gesture and expressive drawing to demonstrate proportion and measurement; volume and space; basic anatomy; format and composition; balance and movement; focus and edge; relation of figure to environment.
Oversee all aspects of technical direction regarding lighting, sound and equipment. Direct: design, fabrication and installation of all scenic art, scenery, props.
Collaborate with internal talent and external vendors to execute the desired vision. Direct art related vendors and any scenic scope that requires art direction.
Act as design ‘vision-keeper’ for the project, maintaining a cohesive design in all elements associated with the project through all phases of design and development.
Create and present project materials to internal and external audiences to communicate project concept, content and status.
Proven familiarity with Mac operating system
Demonstrated proficiency in Abode Creative Suite with a focus on Photoshop
Proven experience with graphic design and the ability to build visually dynamic design presentations
Demonstrated excellent written and verbal communication skills
Proven ability to take direction, adapt to change, establish relationships, and collaborate in a team environment
Demonstrated ability to coordinate through conflict and problem-solve issues to resolution
Proven ability to work with various levels of leadership
Communicates with the directors and informs them of the current budget status and expected expenditures.
Oversees and implements curriculum and staffing
Has twenty years expertise in Scenic, costume and prop design and fabrication as well as merchandising and graphic design.
Establish and maintain effective working relationships with employees, contractors, volunteers, sponsors, media and the public.

CLIENTS:

THE WALT DISNEY COMPANY –(Disney Stores, Disneyland, Imagineering) Burbank, Anaheim, Florida

ITEC ENTERTAINMENT – Orlando, FL

MARANATHA! MUSIC – Costa Mesa, CA

LA MIRADA THEATRE FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS – La Mirada, CA

CYPRESS COMMUNITY COLLEGE

NBC Television – Burbank, CA

MGM Studios – Culver City, CA

DREAMWORKS – Los Angeles, CA

UNIVERSAL STUDIOS – Universal City, CA

RADIO CITY MUSIC HALL PRODUCTIONS – NY

RIDE AND SHOW ENGINEERING – San Dimas, CA

RENAISSANCE ENTERTAINMENT – Orlando, FL

LEAP FROG TOYS – Racine, Il

FELD ENTERTAIMENT – Sarasota, FL

ORANGE COUNTY COMMUNITY COLLEGE DISTRICT – Orange County, CA

GRUMBACHER ART SUPPLIES – Clermont, FL.

LEU GARDENS – Orlando, FL

TRADER JOE’S – Cerritos, CA

HARTWOOD RESERVE COMMUNITY– Clermont, FL.

The Walt Disney Company DUTIES:

• Lead and oversaw the development of creative content as assigned for Entertainment product at Disneyland, including stage shows,

spectaculars, atmosphere entertainment and special events.

• Effectively managed a creative team comprised of different companies, to build the Disneyland attraction; “Say ‘Hello!’

to Honda’s ASIMO” for Disneyland’s 50th Anniversary. As art director, I designed the theater, graphics that wrapped

the theater, the set, props, and art directed video clips for stage show and designed posters and banners, coordinated

production within a very tight deadline. Working knowledge of construction and material usage.

• Designed the railings and colonnade with Disney characters surrounding the “Partners” statue in Disneyland’s Hub.

• Art Directed/designed multiple Interactive attractions for Disneyland and WDS Innoventions, overseeing construction

and fabrication for each attraction. (Finding Nemo, Haunted Mansion and TRON)

• Art Directed Award Winning Animated windows for the Disney Stores. Overseeing construction, fabrication and installation.

• Exercised leadership in managing, scheduling and coordinating a team of artists to produce 24 completed books in

one year, ensuring character and design consistency and integrity.

• Successfully managed art direction for over half of an 18 book series, “Disney’s Storytime Treasures Library.”

Effectively working from concept development through storyboards and final art execution.

• Launched Disney’s most successful book series; “The Little Mermaid Treasure Chest.”

• Translated the Disney movie experience through compelling storybook designs and layouts.

• Art Directed over 60 Disney and PIXAR books. Job included interviewing and hiring artists.

• Prepare visually dynamic collateral and closeout documentation for appropriate archiving and Show Quality Standards use.

• Demonstrating Pumpkin Carving/sculpting live and promotional presentation. Conducted pumpkin carving workshops.

ITEC Entertainment DUTIES:

• Art Directed and effectively managed a creative team comprised of eight show designers for a proposed theme park in China.

• Demonstrated a working knowledge of construction and material usage.

• Successfully managed art direction to design five separate theme park attractions. Effectively working from early concept development through

final art execution.

• Monitor meetings and other communication and provide updates as necessary in order to ensure proper integration and to resolve issues in a

timely manner.

HARTWOOD RESERVE COMMUNITY DUTIES:

• Remodeled Clubhouse to best accommodate the residents needs, coming underbudget.

Marantha! Music – Art Director, Costume Designer, Illustrator, Marketing and Advertising

• lead and oversaw the development of creative content as assigned for Entertainment product including stage shows, spectaculars, atmosphere

entertainment and special events.

• Exercised leadership in managing, scheduling and coordinating a team of artists to produce the 7 record album series,

“Sleepy Time Helper,” ensuring character and design consistency and integrity.

• Art Directed and Spear headed translating the “Kids Praise” albums into a “theme park” atmosphere for a successful trade show event,

creating greater brand exposure.

• Created the characters and established the style for successful children’s record series: “Colby” and “Nannybird.”

Established character and background designs that translated into live performance costumed characters and sets.

• Successfully redesigned characters and branding for “Kids Praise” series by making the characters more ‘Kid friendly’, giving them more

expressive faces, adding gloved hands and appropriate footwear, establishing this series as the top seller in the Christian Children’s market.

Cypress Community College DUTIES:

• Launched a totally new and successful Summer Theater Workshop a special program coordinating classes in acting,

voice, dance, tech and production for six weeks culminating in a full-scale stage production with students taking the workshop.

• Scheduled and budgeted six-week workshop.

• Taught production classes on costuming, choreography and acting

• Brought in guest celebrity talent to discuss: acting; Janet Leigh, costuming; Walter Plunkett and choreography; Miriam Nelson.

• Art Directed entire production, including set and costume designs.

• Hired teaching staff to conduct workshops

• Art Directed and coordinated collateral material including publicity, programs and program advertisement.

• Designed costumes and over see construction

Feld Entertainment – Costume Designer, Set Designer, Costume Illustrator DUTIES:

• Consistently demonstrated excellent drawing and conceptualization skills with an understanding of form, composition,

and attention to detail for costuming Ice Shows

• Proved ability to develop inventive ideas with a sense of entertainment.

• Gifted with exceptional ability to adapt established styles dictated by Art Directors, taking their direction and

embrace any and all changes.

• Rendered Costume Designs with clear understanding for fabrication.

Orange County High School of Art – Instructor DUTIES:

• Teaching: Costume Design for Illustration

• First time course was taught at school, prepared curriculum, books and projects

Western High School – Instructor DUTIES:

• Directing/Designer/Coordinator: Theatrical Season (3 productions)

Grumbacher Art Supplies – Instructor at Michael’s Art Store DUTIES:

• Teaching beginning, intermediate and advanced students painting in acrylic and oil paint

Leu Gardens – Painting Instructor DUTIES:

• Teaching beginning, intermediate and advanced students painting in acrylic and oil paint

• Conducted Pumpkin Carving Workshops

AFFLIATIONS

Norwalk Public Arts Placement Commission – Norwalk, CA

2012 - 2018

• Former Chairman on commission four years, appointed by the mayor.

• Recruited artists to design, fabricate and install new art to be featured in the city.

• Conceptualized and Art Directed the “Freedom Memorial” at Norwalk City Hall, dedicated Memorial Day, 2017.

La Mirada Symphony – La Mirada, CA

2013 - 2017

• Former board member and President. Initiated program introducing new composers featuring their work during the concert season.

• Established the Golden Clef Award honoring contributing professionals within the music industry: Shirley Jones, Paul Williams, Roy Disney

The Professional Dancers Society – Beverly Hills, CA

2003 – 2020 (end of organization)

• Board Member 4 years helped to support the Actors Fund and retired dancers.

• Managed and art direct show, hired rental companies to provide set pieces, and coordinated installation of award show.

SHARE Inc. – Beverly Hills, CA

1974 - Present

• Art directed and managed creative teams to fabricate and install sets, murals and props for annual “Boomtown” fundraising event.

• Helped to raise millions of dollars benefiting special needs children and adults.

• Art Directed and Designed: collateral materials: programs, invitations, Save the date mailers, centerpieces and annual Day by Day planner.

• Branded show theme, coordinating with catering, rental companies, printer and joining various departments for a cohesive look.

• Designed costumes for shows and member uniforms.