Daniel Joseph

Principal Illusion Integrator
Walt Disney Imagineering

30 U.S. Patents

Daniel Joseph is a Principal Illusion Integrator at Walt Disney Imagineering, where he leads a team of designers and the “Illusioneering Lab.” A trained Industrial Designer, Mr. Joseph’s advances in special effects revolutionized modern design and implementation of special effects, transforming them into three-dimensional, immersive and interactive experiences.

As a leader in the industry, Mr. Joseph helps to conceive, design, and install a range of special effects and illusions for Disney theme parks around the world. Most notably, he was one of the key team members who brought to life the Hatbox Ghost for the Haunted Mansion at Disneyland’s 60th Anniversary. His pioneering innovations have also been incorporated into Sorcerers of the Magic Kingdom, Test Track, Magic Kingdom expansion, and both Trader Sam’s tiki bars, to name a few.

In addition to his breakthrough patents in interactive special effects including Infrared projection for camera blocking; volumetric projection device; personal temperature regulator; two-dimensional media combiner for creating three-dimensional displays; and an autostereoscopic display system and method, he has also consulted on product development for medical equipment to improve safety and usability. One of his design patents was featured in PC Magazine’s article called “The Best Inventions of 2011 – So Far.”

Mr. Joseph has also designed and created cutting-edge interactive museum exhibits and new wayfinding devices for a number of prestigious museums, including The Franklin Institute. He also designed special effects and illusions for Universal Studios attractions, and at historic facilities and sites such as the Eastern State Penitentiary Historic Site, Inc.

A life-long inventor, Mr. Joseph started making special effects haunted houses in his basement as a young boy, charging 25 cents to his neighborhood friends and visitors—which he then donated to the local humane society. He has often said, “creating something that makes a person say, ‘how did they do that?’ is my daily goal.”

Mr. Joseph holds an undergraduate degree in Industrial Design from the University of the Arts. He was featured in all three books of the late Disney legend Marty Sklar: Dream it! Do it! My Half-Century Creating Disney’s Magic Kingdoms; One Little Spark! Mickey’s 10 Commandments and the Road to Imagineering; and Travels with Figment on the Road in Search of Disney Dreams. In 2006, he won first prize in Walt Disney Imagineering’s Imaginations Design Competition. Additionally, Mr. Joseph is an unwavering advocate for encouraging and mentoring future inventors, especially inspiring those with different abilities or who come from difficult circumstances, and he is a frequent speaker on this topic.