Year One

E82
is dedicated to the
original philosophies of EPCOT-
the City, the Center, and its Legacy.
Here, the “Architects of the Future” are celebrated
through Art, Music, and History.

May E82 continue EPCOT Center’s original vision:
to entertain, inform and inspire.
And above all, may it present innovative
perspectives on still unrealized concepts
for the community of tomorrow.
Joshua L Harris
Founder
JLH Omnimedia
January 11, 2010

“This is Just the Beginning!”
-Walt Disney (the EPCOT Film, 1966)

And It’s Still Just the Beginning…

A year ago on this day, I started The E82 Project with the rather lofty goal doing nothing less than redirecting the destiny of park itself. A reach that probably exceeds my grasp, nevertheless small voices can usually become influential for the direction and tone of entire initiatives. E82 is largely and artistic project designed to capture the best elements of the park, the city and the “Center” and reinterpret its Classical concepts for the 21st Century.

In the past year, Epcot has gone back to the future in many new and extremely surprising ways. The most unusual of these is the return of Captain EO, a show that still manages to impress 25 years after its release. The amount of “Retrocenter” merchandise has continued to grow, and early in the year the affectionately termed “TRON-o-rail” heralded the release of the sequel to (for all intense and purposes) the EPCOT Center movie. Above all, the thing that most surprised me this year is the Company’s embracement of the EPCOT Center Legacy. D23 was giving members patches for all the original Future World Pavilions, and well as writing stories about the park for its “Twenty-Three” Magazine, The Disney Parks Blog recently posted a historical recollection of EPCOT’s original merchandise, and in the last week the company’s internal headlines series “This Week in Disney History” selected Horizons Last Operational Day (1-9-99) as a featured story. Following the now old cliché, “Acceptance is the first step to recovery” Epcot seems to be well on its way to a (slow but) full renewal!

To be quite honest, the evolution of E82 has been slow too and (thanks to unexpected “real world” distractions) filled with unexpected interruptions. I had hoped to be far ahead of where I am now, but it’s also important to note that for every project I complete there are at least ten others that I come up with. With that being said, I should also note that every new concept does get filed away for completion at a later date. All of this means the E82 is far from running on empty! In the next few months, the Imagination pavilion will reach completion and new pavilions with their music, history and art will soon rise into spotlight. (They may even start before Imagination has completed!) In addition, I am already hard at work on a project that will take Epcot into “The Digital Frontier” like never before! So as ISO Program-Castor would put it, 2011 is shaping-up to be “quite a ride”!

To follow up with the original poster for the E82 Project, I present this new design in which the Sun has now risen to become an optimistically bright morning.

The E82 OVERTURE
“Voices of Tomorrow”

To some of my closest friends this recording is nothing new. In fact, I had hoped to launch the blog with a full video “trailer” featuring my vision of all the E82 has to offer. Alas, as I am far too busy writing, designing, and “mixing” I have yet to find the time to learn video production.
SO HERE’S WHAT I’D LIKE TO DO INSTEAD…
If anyone out there is interested, and has a strong video graphics background please let me know if you’d like to working with me in making a video featuring this music.

AT E82...
We’ve Just Begun to Dream!

E82 - Holidays Around the World

During this Glorious Time of Year, Epcot puts its best foot forward with Epcot - Holidays Around the World. While the Magic Kingdom shall always be home to over-the-top secular celebrations of the season, Epcot has a much greater mission to fulfill. During these special 35 (or so) Days at the end of the year Epcot reaches its full potential by proudly celebrating the “reason for the season.” But more than that, Epcot’s “Circle of Nations” truly does the miraculous by bring together many people of many faiths in an air of acceptance, inclusiveness and cooperation. It is also during this time that Epcot’s Ultimate Vision of instilling “a new sense of belief and pride in man's ability to shape a world that offers hope to people everywhere in the world” comes to fruition. In spite of all the EPCOT City could have given us, it would still just be a city. EPCOT’s ultimate realization as park is able to do what no city could ever hope to accomplish – providing millions of people with an example of a unified world.
As both a Thank You for your support during this first year of E82 and in Celebration of the Season, I present one of my most beloved and popular compilations; the simply titled “Epcot - Holidays Around the World Album.”
Representing the best of live entertainment since the program’s creation in 1994, this holiday compilation features a sampling of works by Cast in Bronze, and The Voices of Liberty, with highlights from the Candlelight Processional, a special tribute to the Lights of Winter, and finally culminating with Peace on Earth from Holiday IllumiNations.

-The Program-
HOLIDAY ILLUMINATIONS
1. Messiah Majesty
CAST IN BRONZE
2. Carol of the Bells
3. God Rest ye Merry Gentlemen
4. We Three Kings
HOLIDAY ATMOSPHERE
5. O Little Town of Bethlehem
THE VOICES OF LIBERTY
6. It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year
7. C.H.R.I.S.T.M.A.S.
8. Gesu Bambino
9. Winter Wonderland
HOLIDAY ATMOSPHERE
10. Mary’s Boy Child
THE CANDLELIGHT PROCESSIONAL
11. Candlelight Overture
12. Shout for Joy!
13. Il est Né
14. Rejoice with Exceeding Great Joy
15. Stille Nacht
16. The Wonderful World of Christmas
HOLIDAY ATMOSPHERE
17. It Came Upon A Midnight Clear
THE LIGHTS OF WINTER
18. Lights of Winter Medley – A JLH Tribute
HOLIDAY ILLUMINATIONS
19. (Let there be) Peace on Earth (featuring Walter Cronkite)

Download the Album

Wide Screen



Full Screen

The Blog has Changed

As you’ve already noticed ENCOM has replaced my logo of E82 with one that looks remarkably like their own. As part of change, ENCOM has asked me to give more attention for the companies that made EPCOT Center possible in the first place. One of the first of these is a commissioned desktop that displays all major sponsors of the original EPCOT Center. Inspired by “Bokeh” style photography, this image takes the technique a step further by both sharpening and defusing the logos simultaneously in the same image. In addition, this will be just the first step for an upcoming series of articles profile various companies and their relationship and influence on Epcot and ultimately the Walt Disney Company itself.

Wide Screen



Full Screen

Editor's Note: I seriously don’t know how much more control I can give to this “game company.” I think it might be time to change things from "Inside the System". – Stay Tuned for further developments

The Return of the Captain

Inspired by the final logo seen in the film, this 4th Desktop in the E82 Project is a tribute to the return of the 1980s classic. Its vivid colors and high-gloss treatments are evocative of early computer animation as well as the heavily special effects driven work of ILM during the height of the “Optical Effects Era”.






Fun Fact: The ending logo for the film was the most expensive effects shot and was also the last effect completed for the movie. It's also the only Computer Generated Image in the film.

Full Screen

Wide Screen

Display Instructions: Select the proper screen ratio (Full or Wide Screen) enlarge to original size and apply as Desktop Background, then “Fit to Screen.”
Finally all Desktops are designed to fill the screen so please display with an Auto-Hide Taskbar.

Commerce in the 21st Century

A FEW YEARS AGO when E82 wasn’t even named yet, one aspect of this Project was always going to be collectable merchandise. As a graphic designer, I’ve always enjoyed seeing my designs exist beyond the computer screen and this Café-Press-World of easy customization has made such niche markets possible. The Centorium store was created to celebrate the World of E82 by providing followers and myself a marketplace for products that pay tribute to the Epcot that Was, Is and What Could Be. My decision to open a store on Zazzle.com was not done lightly, as I had been warned about such nasty and frightening things like copyright infringement, and licensing. However, after researching the site numerous times I noticed a few contradictory business practices. Zazzle has an official Walt Disney Company store, yet a simple search reveals over 200 products relating to Epcot all of which are not official products. So, through deductive reasoning I thought that ether it was completely legal to post products or The Company simply did not care about Epcot Products. Either way Zazzle did allow me to post products for sale, or so I thought.
Last week, as I was trying to buy one of my own products my order was cancelled for “Content” concerns. I’m usually very English about these things. (I don’t complain, I just don’t come back.) but in this case the E82 Poster is so (legally) abstract that I had to find out what the problem was. Several emails later I discovered that ANYTHING can be posted for sale and only when someone purchases an item is it reviewed. (1)
As a result, the Centorium is (once again) closed. My only true concern is that some of you may have received similar emails in attempting to purchase my products. (By the Way, did ANYONE every try to buy something?) THE GOOD NEWS is that several designs are now free to be posted on my Flickr account. This also allows me to explain some of the finer details of some works without appearing too commercial. Works like this…

The Original Poster launching The E82 Project on January 11th 2010 Features an accurate Credit Roll containing many of the individuals involved with the creation of EPCOT Center. If the park was a motion picture it would look like this (sans the final credit:).

Footnote:
1. This does clear up a mystery: that to spite my “Kick Ass Original Merchandise Designs” (Thank You, Mesa Verde Times) NO ONE has ever bought any of my products.

The Art of Imagination

You may have noticed that one thing I have not included in Part 1 of “A History of Imagination” is the more iconic artwork displayed in many a pre-opening publication. Showcasing artwork created to illustrate the abstract concepts displayed in the original version of this signature attraction, this 3rd in desktop The E82 Project also contains the playful and mischievous first sketches of the impish baby dragon that would eventually become Figment. The background is inspired by the triangular panels of the pavilion’s glass pyramids.

Full Screen

Wide Screen

Display Instructions: Select the proper screen ratio (Full or Wide Screen) enlarge to original size and apply as Desktop Background, then “Fit to Screen.”
Finally all Desktops are designed to fill the screen so please display with an Auto-Hide Taskbar.

Gifts from Future World

www.zazzle.com/epcot1982

E82 is proud to announce the “Re-Opening” of Centorium: EPCOT Center’s largest retail store. It will introduce new products featuring the artwork of E82. When the original Centorium opened it presented unique selection of futuristic items, overall it was equally entertaining and educational. The new store will focus solely on EPCOT’s other goal: Inspiration.
The original Centorium (an amalgam meaning Center Emporium) was remarkably a head of its time. The following News Brief (given only to Cast and Construction Crew) chronicles the first few pieces available to purchase just before the park officially opened…

9/22/82
Futuristic Store Stocks
Flying Saucers, Telescopes and Such

A solar powered flying saucer and a machine that plays chess with a robotic arm are among the futuristic gadgets available in the “department store of tomorrow” – The Centorium. Located in the CommuniCore of Future World, the universal gift emporium features among other things the latest in toys, books, decorative pieces and electronics.
A team of four buyer spent two and one-half years combing major markets and out-of-the-way museum shops for thousand of merchandise items. The result is an amazing array of gismos and gadgets designed to educate, entertain, and stimulate the imagination.
There are toys that run on micro-chips and solar energy, talking calculators, cordless telephones, and a clock that tones the
time when you touch it. The selection of electronic wristwatches would amaze even Dick Tracy. They include AM radio wristwatches and state-of-the-art timepieces with six or more functions.
Small-screen television sets have never been smaller. Color screens come in 2.7 inch diagonal size. A black white counterpart come with 1.5 inch diagonal screen, about the size of a matchbook, and has excellent resolution. Jewelry is decidedly different. For instance, the selection includes hologram pendants that are visible in sunlight. Books include “how-to” on such subjects as futuristic homes and vehicles, solar energy, and scinec projects; en “how-to” make your own robot. Model kits include space shittles and geodesic domes ranging from giant to mini-size.

! 9 Days Out !

(From Opening)

A few years later (Fall 1985 to be exact) the Disney News featured an article on Centorium’s role and interconnectivity with Future World’s pavilions…

"Centorium, the largest shop in EPCOT Center, is located within CommuniCore and features wares related to other areas of Future World. Here you can find the very latest in electronic toys and games, gadgets that entertain, and gizmos that educate, amuse, and appeal to the imagination. There are books, puzzles, science kits, computes and even robots – like OMNIBOT. ..

UNIVERSE OF ENERGY
Universe of Energy is presented by Exxon within a dynamic solar power structure covered with glistening photovoltaic cells. It displays the history and new frontiers of energy by means of colorful kinetic film images, a primeval diorama, and motion pictures projected on a giant 218-degree wraparound screen.
Centorium Captures the essence of this energy experience with a collection of solar toys and sculptures. The radiometer, made in France and one of the oldest examples of solar energy, can be purchased as a child’s toy or as an exquisite glass sculpture. Rainbows of colors, refracted by sunlight, are caught in plastic prisms and metallic mobiles. From miniature models of prehistoric creatures to Space Shuttle toys you’ll find them all in the second level toy department.
HORIZONS
Horizons takes you on a wondrous, realistic journey to four habitats of the future: Nova Cite, and urban community; Mesa Verde, a desert farm settlement; Sea Castle, a floating city; and Brava Centauri, a space colony. Horizons is sponsored by General Electric.
Centorium represents Horizons with modern paintings and prints sculptures, mobiles, laser jewelry and a selection of colorful Prism Clocks that tell time in a depth of changing shapes in space.
WORLD OF MOTION
World of Motion, Presented by General Motors, dramatizes the development and future methods of transportation. Centorium features the newest electronic and remote control toy vehicles. Entertaining and educational today, they may also be prototypes of transportation to come.
THE LAND
The Land tells the story of man’s beneficial interaction with his environment, and his quest for adequate means of meeting the world’s growing need for food. The pictured “Veganimals” characterize the Kitchen Kabaret show there about the benefits of good nutrition. The Land is presented by Kraft, and Centorium highlights it with natural food cookbooks, unique kitchen utensils, dishes, plants and seeds, and Kitchen Kabaret souvenirs.

JOURNEY INTO IMAGINATION
Journey into Imagination, presented by Kodak, explores the intricate process of creativity. Two unusual characters serve as guides. Dreamfinder is a jolly, bearded gentleman who symbolizes the mature, accomplished side of imagination. Figment is an impish purple dragon representing, childlike quality of creativity.
Figment can be purchased at Centorium as a child’s plush toy, a charm in gold or silver, or finely sculptured porcelain. Dreamfinder and Figment also have been cast in a 12-inch bronze statue."

For the today’s Centorium, new ideas and concepts are all ways in development (even babies can become E82 fans with our upcoming “Little Sparks” Line) so make sure to check back for new items and updates!

Spaceship Earthrise

This is the first of many desktop backgrounds coming to you from the E82. Spaceship Earth Dawn is based on the original cover for the EPCOT Center Pre-Opening Guide (already pictured further down). In this, I wanted to capture the spirit of the original photography with the technology available today.
Designer Note: Thanks to an unavoidable automatic gamma correction, this relatively easy to produce image took OVER 50 test saves to correct the complex colors on Spaceship Earth.

Full Screen

Wide Screen

Display instructions: Select the proper screen ratio (Full or Wide Screen) enlarge to original size and apply as Desktop Background. Then “Fit to Screen” and finally all Desktops are designed to fill the screen so please display with and Auto-Hide Taskbar.


Stay Tuned Next Week when we'll be adding "Tangible Memories” to the mix of offerings from the World of E82!

Iconography

The Icons or logos of any product, establishment, or company are, in many ways, forever linked to the identity of that entity. There are two types of logos- the textual, and the symbolic. The textual is the most common. These are created purely from alphabetic linkages and/or configurations. Exxon is a prime example. It’s Double-linked “X s” are aesthetically pleasing but have no fundamental meaning. The symbolic logo is rarer and often is used to convey ideas, philosophies, or concepts for which the entity represents. Logos like the one used for United Nations perfectly illustrates its purpose- the countries of the world encircled by olive branches. The logo literally means: world peace!
Ever since the creation of Disneyland, proper logo creation has been extremely important to define the meaning of our parks. In Disneyland’s case, it means: a magic kingdom. In the case of Walt Disney World it’s meant to convey the vastness of the property with Mickey as its mascot and Disney in benevolent control. In the case of EPCOT Center, the logo not only represents the meaning of the park, but portrays the larger abstract concepts that are at the heart of the park’s message. In a short memo, Marty Skylar was asked to describe the meaning of this truly beautiful symbol…

"The EPCOT Center Logo is a graphic representation of the park’s philosophy. It symbolizes unity, fellowship and harmony around the world. The five outer rings form the shape of a flower – a celebration of life. The heart of the logo is Earth embraced by a star, symbolizing hope – the hope that with imagination, commitment, and dedication we can create a new tomorrow."

The E82 Icon and Insignia have been designed to reflect its purpose in much in the same way…

The E82 ICON
The E82 Icon exemplifies the philosophy of E82- the Celebration of Past Futures and the Legacy of Tomorrow. The original concept for Walt Disney’s Community of Tomorrow is represented by the radial spokes of the WEDway Peoplemover coming together to form the EPCOT Center Logo. Paying tribute to the Legacy of EPCOT Center’s original form, the Tri-prism Fountain serves as the centerpiece with the Legacy Sculptures on the sides- cradling majestic Spaceship Earth, they stand in tribute to the great big beautiful tomorrows ahead.
The E82 INSIGINA
The five ringed symbol of EPCOT Center surrounded by the radials the WEDway Peoplemover System from Walt Disney’s vision of EPCOT City studded with logos from the original 10 pavilions.

These two logos visually express my vision for this project. There are so many sites out there that all preach relatively that same idea: EPCOT Center is way better the Epcot has ever been. This opinion is so widespread it’s basically believed to be fact. I will not disagree, but I will offer that simply stating how good things were in “the good old days” is both irrelevant and ignorant.
I believe the time has come to embrace the full 44 year history of this remarkable endeavor. All of the many facets of Epcot’s evolution should be both celebrated and explored. It is my hope the unification of Epcot’s three eras will lead to greater understanding and influence changes in the park itself.