Nina Rae Vaughn

For more than three decades, Nina Rae Vaughn has been visualizing environments, as a creative designer and art director for theme parks, attractions, fountains, museums and hospitality venues worldwide.

In 20+ years at Walt Disney Imagineering (WDI), she started as a Special Effects Designer during the development of Epcot, progressing to Director of Design on Pooh’s Hunny Hunt, Tokyo Disneyland. During her tenure at Disney, Nina had the opportunity to contribute to a vast number of Disney’s project portfolios including but not limited to; Indiana Jones Adventure, Disneyland, Main Street, Disneyland Paris, Disney Hollywood Studios, Disney California Adventure, Tokyo Disney Sea and the many park “Fun Maps.”

Early in Nina’s career she was a fountain designer at WET Design, gaining valuable field installation experience. She joined The Hettema Group (THG) in 2013 and contributes to their global projects as Art Director. Nina Rae Vaughn Illustrator, Art Director Prior to joining THG she contributed to projects including Paramount Park Spain, Harry Potter, Universal Orlando, and Shanghai Disneyland. A special project dear to her heart was creating the design for The Disneyland of Walt’s Imagination Model at the Walt Disney Family Museum in San Francisco.

Nina has been a guest speaker for the Disney Cruise Line, and at Art Center College of Design in Pasadena, where she is an Alumnus. Nina has also been a past contributing artist and guest teacher at the Ryman Foundation Living Master’s Program.

Phil Hettema said, “Nina would be on anyone’s dream team of creative designers. She’s amazingly talented, with an exceptional set of drawing skills and a delightful visual imagination. Thoroughly experienced across a vast array of endeavors; theme park attractions, graphic development and concept art just to name a few, it’s a strong likelihood that you’ve seen her work many times. Beyond all that, however, she’s just a lovely individual. Always helpful, a willing teacher and thoughtful collaborator.”