Ringling College team places first in Disney competition

Combining city culture, green living and fun into a Disney-styled redesign of the New Orleans transportation system lifted four students from the Ringling College of Art and Design to first place in a national design competition.

Elizabeth Fox, Diana Han, John McDonald and Josh Newton, the winners, participated in the 24th Walt Disney Imagineering Imaginations. They presented their design strategy to a judging panel Jan. 26 through Jan. 30 in Glendale, Calif.

The mission of the competition was to take Disney’s successes—in theme parks, resorts, cruises, etc.—and find a way to apply those aspects to transportation in a major city. “Transportation” included public transit stations or stops and vehicle designs. The ideas incorporated into the design was supposed to reflect the diversity of the city and encourage accessibility and environmental friendliness… and of course, fun, according to a press release from Ringling.

The Ringling student’s project, “The New Orleans Double Rail,” depicted two elevated trains for commuters and tourists as a symbol of hope for a city challenged by a below-sea-level area, the release said. In their design, the main station at Jackson Square engaged the community with a celebration of New Orleans culture. The top train would cater to commuters and the lower, to visitors, with a window projection system portraying New Orleans’ history.

“We are very proud of the professionalism and creativity shown by the Ringling College team in designing such an innovative and imaginative transportation solution,” said Ringling College of Art and Design President Dr. Larry R. Thompson in the press release. “We value the time and effort Walt Disney Imagineering allocates to driving the Imaginations design competition and inspiring creativity in universities across our country. And to our Ringling College Imaginations student team -- Elizabeth, Diana, John and Josh – we applaud your achievement.”

The Ringling students competed against 21 other students from six universities in the finalist round.