Biography
Darrias is known in various industries as an Artist, Show Designer and an Art Director who is "hands on" in all that he contributes to. Together with his international associates and resources he has designed and produced world-class entertainment art for over twenty years. He has an intimate understanding how entertainment art, sets and environments are designed and produced successfully.
Currently Darrias is working as an Attraction Designer on several projects for The Hettema Group.
At the end of 2007 and into 2008 Darrias art directed the Fashion District at Crossworlds of the World, Grand Indonesia Mall in Jakarta, Indonesia. This a two story, 200,000 sq ft entertainment district is comprised of highly immersive retail, dining and show experiences.
Recently Darrias was both a Designer and the Project Creative Director on the SM Science Discovery Center for SM Malls in Manila, Philippines. Having appreciated his successful work on the SM Storyland project in 1996 they have again contracted him to develop a venue for new technology and entertainment. The Science Discovery Center opened at the SM Mall of Asia in September, 2007.
In 2005 Darrias art directed the Floraland Theme Park in Chengdu, China, for Landmark Entertainment Group. This multi-land project included a theme park, water park, themed retail, and a huge entertainment district.
In 2003-04 Darrias worked on various independent projects including art direction on the Boomerang Bay restaurant and retail interiors for Paramount Parks plus two new ride attractions for Battaglia Inc. in Lotte World, Seoul, Korea.
In 2003 Darrias finished designing and art directing several ride and live show attractions plus overall theme zones for the first phase of Ramoji Movie Magic Park at Ramoji Film City in India. This film production studio and theme park is already the largest of it's kind in India.
At the beginning of 2002 Darrias finished his work on the Warner Brothers Special Effects show for the Warner Brother's Theme Park Spain. In 2001 he completed his work as Creative Director on the Cascades Special Effects Fountain Show for Spectra Entertainment. Also for Spectra he art directed the Great Train Robbery, Stone Mountain plus the Cheju Nighttime Spectacular. He was the project art director on the Nighttime Spectacular Show "Forces of Nature" for Lotte World Hotel, Cheju, Korea. This show included water and fire effects, lasers, water projections, plus a huge animatronics fire-breathing dragon.
In an addition to the Spectra projects of 2000 Darrias completed his work on scenic designs for the Monte Casino project in South Africa.
By the end of 1999 he had produced show environments and a park parade for BRC Imagination Arts for the Discovery World Project in Taiwan. Before this he was working on the Barona Casino Expansion for Landmark Entertainment. This casino design showcased over 100 thousand square feet of scenic elements with a Victorian celestial theme. As Project Art Director his scope was to maintain and develop the design intent throughout the project. Darrias was responsible for developing all colors, patterns, materials, sets, furnishings, props, and the vendors that create these.
Before the Barona Casino project he was the production Art Director for the M&M's Academy project for Landmark Entertainment. Like the Barona project he was ultimately responsible for the production of all design elements. This attraction contained a 3-D theater plus a themed walk through and pre-show.
At the World Expo '98 Darrias was both the Designer and the Art Director for the post show exhibit at the Philippine Pavilion. He designed and produced a nine scene walk through show casing the Philippines history, culture, and current tourist attractions. He embellished each of these individual scenes using hand painted murals from Thailand, Hard coat foam sculpture from the Philippines, photo murals, lighting, artificial foliage, sculpted concrete, faux finishes, authentic and fabricated props, artifacts and sets.
On the Storyland Adventure Theme Park project for SM Malls, The Philippines, he was again responsible for realizing the design intent park wide.
On the Fantasia Lagoon Theme Park, The Mall I & II, Thailand, Darrias was both project Art Director and Scenic Director where he was responsible for the production of all visual elements including sets, murals, sculpture, finishes and scenic materials.
On the Rockin' Monsoon Entertainment Complex and the Magic Island Theme Park Darrias was also both a Designer and an Art Director. On both projects he discussed and developed a preliminary concept with the client, then created a design development package, which he took to project site. During the final production phase he worked to ensure the design intent.
On the previous projects before and during 1993 his job title was either Project Scenic Director or Project Color Stylist. As Project Scenic Director he was responsible for the production of all visual elements, i.e., scenic sets, murals, props, and finishes. As the Project Color Stylist he was responsible for the creation of color and material boards, which the Art Director used to specify colors, textures, and materials.
During the eighties Darrias worked primarily as a Scenic Director, Graphic Designer, and fine artist. Not content to sit behind the desk he traveled throughout United States creating environments, murals, facades, and signage for restaurants, nightclubs and casinos such as The Red Onion, El Toritos, The Flamingo, Circus Circus, and the Palace Station in Las Vegas.
Darrias is a graduate of The Art Center College of Design in Pasadena and an active member of Theme Entertainment Association.
