Kenn Hardy

KENN HARDY

DESIGN DIRECTOR

Personal Info

Professional Profile

Beginning his career with Hallmark Card's New Product Design Department, in 1977, Kenn Hardy has forged a name for himself as a uniquely talented Conceptual Designer with added expertise in Guest Experience, Entertainment Design and Marketing. As a proven leader with over thirty years of experience, his creative solutions have found their way into dozens of noteworthy projects from Guangzhou, China to the Las Vegas Strip. Located near Orlando, Florida, Kenn has worked with many industry giants such as Walt Disney Imagineering, Universal Creative, Herschend Family Entertainment, Paramount Parks, Six Flags, Hard Rock Café, and Planet Hollywood. Most recently, as Creative Designer for the Historic Port of Falmouth, Jamaica under development by Royal Caribbean Cruise Line and the Vision Planning effort for the Island of St. Lucia.

Professional Experience

Sept. 2006 - Present

Director of Design

IDEA Inc.


  • Senior Design Manager responsible for all client presentation deliverables.
  • Manage creative department and supervise design staff.
  • Create all Conceptual Images for client presentation.
  • Manage Brand Development efforts for all IDEA clients.

March 2001 - June 2005

Vice President of Corporate Development

Aventure Parks Group


  • Report directly to Adventure Parks Group CEO.
  • Manage all Capital Imrpovements and New Project Construction.
  • Responsible for Guest Experience for 4 gated Entertainment Properties.
  • Coordinate Corporate Marketing efforts with all New Capital Projects.
  • Responsible for all new Festivals and Special Events.

Sept. 1994 - May 2000

Creative Design Manager

Herschend Family Entertainment, Inc.


  • Creative Design Manager responsible for New Capital Project Development.
  • Manage outside vendors and contractors.
  • Develop New Project Creative Options for HFE Board of Directors.
  • Coordinate Corporate Marketing with New Project Development.

April 1989 - June 1994

Senior Designer

Itec Entertainment Inc.


  • Senior Designer responsible for Creating Entertainment Attractions and Poperties.
  • Brand Development and Logo Design.
  • Responible for Client Creative and Conceptual Illustrations.
  • Coordinate Attraction Design Intent with Technical Show Control Team.

Oct. 1981 - July 1989

Creative Design Director

Market Development Group


  • Art Director responsible for creating Advertising Campaings and Collateral Material.
  • Brand Development and Logo Design.
  • Art Direct Photography and Illustrators.
  • Oversee Print Production of all client Marketing Materials.

Oct. 1979 - July 1981

Project Designer

Walt Disney Imagineering


  • Project Designer responsible for Conceptual Design Development.
  • Logo Development and Identity Design.
  • Art Director responsible for property-wide Capital Improvement Projects.
  • Projects include Magic Kingdom, Grand Floridian, EPCOT Center and Village Shops.

May 1977 - April 1979

New Product Designer

Hallmark Cards Inc.


  • Design Manager responsible for Corporate-wide New Product Development.
  • Package Design and Production Prototype Development.
  • Develop Test-marketing Presentation Materials and Mock-ups.
  • Coordinate with production facilities and overseas vendors.

Special Skills

Expert, 30 years

Concept Design & Illustration


As a talented illustrator, Kenn uses his technical skills to quickly communicate story and design intent to the entire project team. Above-average visual communication skills can be a valuable asset for any company who's planning efforts are often complicated and multi-facited. All team-members are on the same page from the very beginning and consequent program changes are quickly understood. Timely upper-management approvals can keep a project on-tack and on-budget.

Advanced, 15 years

Digital Design


Kenn embraces the digital world with open arms. Skilled in digital design applications such as Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Illustrator, Google Sketch-up, Corel Painter and Dreamweaver, Kenn has all the tools necessery to complete complicated tasks quickly and efficently.

Expert, 30 years

Brand Development


Over the years, Kenn has provided complete brand identity solutions for many industries including Hospitality, Consumer Goods, Real Estate Developers, Home Builders, Medical, Retail Outlets, Online Merchant Services, and Entertainment Properties.

Education

Ringling College of Art & Design

Bachelor’s Degree Equivalent - Graphics and Interactive Communications


One of the leading design schools in the United States. Many Ringling Graduates are recruited by Dreamworks, Industrial Light and Magic and Pixar.



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