Creating human-centred solutions for the theme park and attraction industry

With the help of a transdisciplinary team including Performance Production, Engineering, Business and Computer Science students, the TMU Thrill club celebrated its eighth successful year at the annual TMU Invitational Thrill Design Competition at Universal Orlando, Florida. The invite-only design competition, run by the TMU Thrill Lab in partnership with Universal Creative, challenges students from over 18 post-secondary institutions to develop human-centred solutions specific to the theme park and attractions industry to improve amusement rides and attractions.

The TMU Thrill Club originated as the THRILL Lab at Toronto Metropolitan University in 2001, led by Master of Digital Media (MDM) Professor Dr. Kathryn Woodcock, focusing on human-centred design in amusement attractions. After over a decade of research, development and student involvement, the lab expanded its offerings to produce the first TMU Invitational Thrill Design Competition. Since 2014, the club has offered students from a diverse range of expertise a learning experience that focuses on human-centred design in the attractions industry, culminating in a yearly international design competition hosted at Universal Orlando.

Composed of a transdisciplinary team of eight students spanning Performance, Engineering and Technology, and Tourism Management programs, members of the TMU Thrill Club work together to develop creative, innovative and human-centred design solutions spanning from the engineering of world-class rollercoasters to storytelling and the intricate set designs that support them. The competition, which took the form of a weekend intensive at Universal, is an opportunity to showcase the team's innovative solutions to various challenges proposed in the theme park and amusement industry. 

Earlier in November, the club attended the international design competition at Universal Orlando in Florida. Throughout their trip, students had the opportunity to utilize their diverse range of skills to work on various challenges focused on finding solutions to problems centred around the theme park industry. Judged by a panel of industry professionals, the team's innovative solutions were analyzed, and each team received feedback on their proposals.

After the competition, the teams were allowed to network and talk with other international groups that were participating in the competition. They also had the opportunity to attend the International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions (IAAPA) expo, the industry's largest event featuring professionals from over 100 countries which showcased educational seminars, trade shows and innovative research in the theme park industry,

A transdisciplinary approach to human-centred design

As the theme park and attraction industry evolves, human-centred planning is becoming an increasingly integral component of the design process. Performance student, Liam Derbyshire, was excited to join the club to implement and demonstrate the skills he's learned throughout his degree to potential employers at the competition. 

"I joined when I saw that the Thrill Club was seeking set designers. I was initially just happy to have a chance to design something. I've remained interested because I'm interested in the storytelling potential of sets, and that's a lot of what goes into rides,” said Derbyshire.

"Additionally, it's a very exciting time for the industry, a lot of new and interesting rides and ride vehicles have been introduced in recent years (for example, Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey), which will open up more possibilities for the kind of experience you're able to create, which really excites me."

Bigger and better thrills to come

In addition to the club's annual design competition in Orlando, Florida, the team hopes to start operating a student-run attraction on campus. In recent years, similar clubs at various universities have run haunted houses and escape rooms, and the club hopes to do something similar–if not more ambitious–in the years to come. 

With a transdisciplinary approach to developing innovative solutions in the amusement and attraction industry, the club is looking to expand their team to involve more students from The Creative School programs focusing on set design, 3D modelling and animation.

Interested in joining the TMU Thrill Club? Follow the club on their socials to stay tuned for next year's annual international thrill trip.

The Creative School at Toronto Metropolitan University 

The Creative School is a dynamic faculty at Toronto Metropolitan University making a difference in new, unexplored ways. Comprised of Canada’s top professional schools and transdisciplinary hubs in media, communication, design and cultural industries, The Creative School offers students an unparalleled global experience in the heart of downtown Toronto.