From the thrill rides and performances to the shops and restaurants, every element of a theme park experience is crafted with intention. Now, an all-new design competition hopes to find the experience designers of the future—and winners will earn a college scholarship and a trip to Universal Orlando Resort.
The first-ever Theme Park Design Competition presented by Ringling College of Art and Design will be open to all U.S. high school juniors and seniors from September 1 to November 30, 2025.
This year, the competition requires all entrants to conceptualize a mobile merchandise cart that could be used in outdoor theme parks. Each student entry will be evaluated by a prestigious panel of judges, including professors from Ringling College of Art and Design, Universal Creative, and other experienced professionals in the entertainment design industry.
The top prize winners of the Theme Park Design Competition will win a $20,000 tuition scholarship to Ringling College of Art and Design and an exclusive VIP “behind the scenes” experience at Universal Studios Florida with complimentary travel and accommodations. Selected second and third-place competition finalists can also earn a scholarship to the 2025 Ringling College of Art and Design PreCollege Summer Program. Entries will be judged in December 2025, with winners announced in January 2026.
“Entertainment Design impacts everything from theme parks, museums, and concerts to hotels, retail stores, and sporting events,” said Jamie DeRuyter, Entertainment Design Department Head at Ringling College of Art and Design.
“Through this competition, we hope to inspire today’s high school students to see themselves as tomorrow’s immersive experience designers and raise their awareness of this exciting, versatile, and fast-growing career field.”
“We are proud to collaborate with Ringling College of Art and Design in creating this first-of-its-kind entertainment design competition,” said Eliza Lee of Universal Creative. “This competition is intended to get high school juniors and seniors thinking practically about how to solve creative problems, design memorable experiences, and bring their unique ideas to life.”For more information about the Theme Park Design Competition presented by Ringling College of Art and Design, visit www.ringling.edu/themeparkdesigncompetition.
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