As vp of retail design and store planning for Walt Disney Imagineering, Johnnie Rush has had a hand in many of the retail developments filling up Disney World's Downtown Disney, including the new Disney-Hasbro co-branding effort, Once Upon A Toy (see VM+SD magazine, October, page 36).
But it isn't just Central Florida grabbing Rush's time and attention. He is also working on new concepts at California Disneyland and Tokyo Disneyland, and an entire retail strategy for Hong Kong Disneyland, currently in development.
A registered architect, Rush graduated first in his class from Louisiana State University in 1986, during which time he was an intern-architect with Brinson & Betts Architects in Baton Rouge. Prior to joining Disney in 1996, he was manager of architecture for the Marriott Corp. (Washington, D.C.) and manager of store planning for Venture Stores (St. Louis).
He came to Disney as manager of store planning for Walt Disney Attractions Merchandise, where he implemented new standards in fixture design, technology and planogramming. Promoted to director of store planning and design in 1998, he expanded his team to include design, fixture development, fixture production and character sculpting.
Rush was married this summer. Presumably, his bride doesn't mind his collections of insects (he's an amateur entomologist) or of funeral home memorabilia.
If you weren't a designer, what would you be?
A scientist.
What was the weirdest job you ever had?
A summer job cleaning whale oil from underground storage tanks in my dad's oil refinery.
What do you remember as your first unqualified success?
Realizing that my designs actually impacted people's lives by creating their environment.
Any embarrassing projects you've preferred not talking about until now?
I once converted a historic (circa 1920) Hollywood Boulevard store into an “everything's 99 cents” store.
How do you handle stress?
My BMW R1200C cruiser motorcycle.
Who in this industry has influenced you the most?
My influence comes more from the retail industry than from a single designer. As shopping becomes more an experience than a task, my influence comes from the gradual condensing of entertainment, lifestyle, family and retail.
Which TV family did you wish was yours?
The Addams Family – doesn't everybody?
What do you sing when you know you're alone?
Any song by Green Day.
Tell us about your unusual collections.
I collect venomous insects from around the world (dried and mounted) and vintage funeral home memorabilia.
Funeral home memorabilia?
Someone gave me some “vintage funeral home matchbook covers.” The collection now consists of 500 items, ranging from embalming equipment and bottles to funeral home promotional items (thermometers, calendars, ink blotters, etc.). One co-worker returned from a trip home with a coffin lid from a casket manufacturer.
What was the inspiration for your beard?
Salvador Dali.
Which Disney character do you most identify with?
Stitch. It's tough to be good when you're a natural mischief-maker.
RMA Architectural Photography, Tustin, Calif.