On April 2, long-time art director and concept artist for Walt Disney Imagineering Collin Campbell passed away, leaving behind a long and fruitful career. In addition to his work as an Imagineer, Campbell also worked in the Disney Animation Department as a layout and background artist.
Campbell’s Disney career began in 1943, where he started as a messenger in the Traffic Department at the studio. Eventually, in 1953 Campbell began working in the layout and background departments and worked on such Disney classics as Lady and the Tramp. He was also the pioneer of the brand-new Xerox camera method, which was featured in Disney’s One Hundred and One Dalmations.Soon thereafter, Campbell transferred to WED Enterprises, which became Walt Disney Imagineering.
His work as a concept artist was most notably featured in Walt Disney’s Enchanted Tiki Room. Additional projects included the Blue Bayou Restaurant; Pirates of the Caribbean, and It’s A Small World. Throughout his career, Campbell worked on many of the rides and attractions you can see throughout the parks in Walt Disney World.
While he leaves a Disney legacy behind, Campbell was also a combat artist for the Navy and Air Force, where he traveled throughout the world including Japan, Korea, the Phillipines and Thailand war zones. He was also in Vietnam twice, and was a passenger on the Apollo 15 pickup carrier.
Campbell’s wife, Lois Dabio Campbell, survives him.
