Here's Your Sign: The Man Behind Worlds of Fun's Colorful and Immersive Signage
Worlds of Fun
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The details within a theme park often go unnoticed by most guests, but they are a vital part of immersion and taking visitors on a journey into a different world. A tactfully placed flower bed, a vintage gas pump outside of a drink stand, a pleasant hand drawn sign are intricate details that give a theme park its special feeling. While guests gawk at 200-foot tall roller coasters and spiral lifts, the details augment their experience whether they know it or not.
Worlds of Fun houses its very own creative services staff, a small but mighty team of designers and artists who expertly craft the atmosphere of the park.
Mike Worley began his career at Worlds of Fun in 2003 as a caricature artist and worked his way up to the leader of Worlds of Fun's renowned sign shop as the Area Manager of Graphic Services, where he and his team bring to life all of the colorful and mesmerizing signage throughout the park. Known for his regular ensemble of colorful Hawaiian shirts featuring anything from sharks to jack-o-lanterns to pirate ships, his colorful personality influences the look of the park itself.
"A sign should look thematic because we are taking people on an adventure," Worley says, "If a sign is in Americana, it should look like America in the 1880s. You get to the Wild West, there's a shift in look. You get to Europa, you should get that European genteel look. You should want to be there and feel immersed in it."
Taking guests on their journey through Worlds of Fun isn't simply done by labeling areas and attractions. Authenticity and relentless attention to detail are at the forefront of his design process.
"Don't fake it if you can make it," Worley emphasizes, "Don't make a graphic that casts a shadow. Make the letters three-dimensional so they cast a shadow. Don't make it look like galvanized metal, use galvanized metal. If it looks like it's wood, what kind of wood would best theme that?"
Worley prides himself on showmanship, a vital component of successful theme parks.
"You have to like to show off," Worley elaborates, "When you go to a pizzeria in New York, you have someone spinning dough. In Seattle, they have a fishing market where they throw fish. As part of the entertainment industry, we have to put on a show. It doesn't have to be extremely flashy, it just needs to be that little extra effort.
"It creates a sense of wonder. Our showmanship should be reflected in our attitudes. It ain't just roller coasters and food. It's Worlds of Fun."