profile / alumni / entertainment-design / illustration
November 01, 2017
Writer: Jamie Wetherbe
King Of The Jungle Book: Meet Entertainment Designer And Illustrator Shae Shatz
ArtCenter: What are you working on right now?
Shae Shatz (BS 07 Product Design) Designer, Illustrator: Disney’s The Lion King with director Jonathan Favreau. I’m world building with the production designer and team, helping to create all of the digital sets. Right now, I’m working on a very iconic scene but I can’t say anything else.
AC: What’s the most unique thing you’ve designed?
SS: For a time, I was known for my futuristic space toilets. I was working at Microsoft and got a call to work on a Halo 4 commercial for the E3 debut. When I was designing the interior of the space ship, the production designer asked what the bathroom would look like. And it turned out rather well, and the next thing I know, they asked me to design space toilets for the alien worlds.
For a time, I was known for my futuristic space toilets.
AC: Do you have any superstitions?
SS: I believe in being a good human being — that if you give back, it will ultimately come back around. Aside from that, I wear my lucky pair of socks when I play baseball.
AC: What’s the one tool you can’t do without?
SS: Photoshop and my blender.
AC: Where do you go (online or offline) when you’re taking a break?
SS: Hiking and reconnecting with nature are really important to me. Online, I really enjoy going down an Internet rabbit hole to find new artists.
AC: If you could trade jobs with anyone for a day who would it be?
SS: I think about this all the time: a gardener.
AC: What book is on your bedside table?
SS: Daily Rituals: How Great Minds Make Time, Find Inspiration, and Get to Work. It’s about these weird routines famous people do to be creative.
AC: Who are the most interesting designers working today?
SS: My friend Jonathan Bach is someone I respect a lot. I really appreciate people I see do amazing work despite daunting circumstances, and he’s one of them.
AC: If you could have a superpower, what would it be?
SS: To fly.
AC: What’s your most prized possession?
SS: The Eames ottoman my grandmother owned. She was the original hipster. I credit her and my mom for being really big influences on me becoming a designer.
Alumni Q&A
Submit the Alumni Q&A questionnaire to share your story. We want to hear about your accomplishments, what you're working on and your advice for future ArtCenter students.
AC: Where is your happy place?
SS: With my fiancé.
AC: How would your closest friend describe you?
SS: Warm but firm, caring but competitive, a real live wire.
AC: What’s your best piece of advice for an ArtCenter student who’s interested in following your career path?
SS: Believe in yourself. Hold fast. Understand the mountain you’re about to climb has to begin with a single step.
Shae Shatz on Tumblr
Shae Shatz on Facebook
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