Today we’d like to introduce you to Josh Almeida.
Hi Josh, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today.
I started my Artistic Audio/Video design company in 2011 with the intention of adding more beauty to the world. I grew up here in Orlando and have always had a passion to help bring our city to the next level of creativity. I went to Full Sail for show production (how to design rock shows) and from there jumped to the Audio/Video wall. I first started as a Theater Director for Club Med, then worked for a government A/V contractor company building and designing those NOCs /mission rooms you see in the movies with all the screens (enhance, zoom in, we got’em!).
Then I jumped into the theme park world working on projects like Wizarding World of Harry Potter and Haunted Mansion. My dream growing up in Orlando was to be an Imagineer, and I finally got the offer back in 2011 to be in the R&D department to help develop the Magic Band before it was released, but it meant moving from Orlando and insane hours. So I decided that I would start Ascend, a team of artists and engineers to add our own voice in the world.
Since starting Ascend we have been honored to work with companies like Disney, Hard Rock Hotels, Universal Creative, Orlando Museum of Art, City Arts, Indeed.com, Darden Restaurants, Dreamscape VR, and other super cool teams.
Art2 is Ascend’s first public installation that is designed around the idea of “Making the unknown artist, known”. It’s a public park developed in partnership with the Orlando Downtown Development Board. We are thrilled to use our years of experience creating spaces for others, for ourselves, and for our fellow artists and our beloved city.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Oh, it’s been an adventure!! We won the public bid for our park design more than four years ago. The world has changed so much over those years and this project has had many starts and stops, but the Downtown team in Orlando has worked hard to keep the dream alive.
We have been through many redesigns, budget issues, delays, and just the fun of being a part of a construction project. We have been working within the construction world for years with our client builds but man, it’s a whole other thing when it’s yours, lol!!
Looking back, I honestly don’t know if I would have wanted it to be easier. I have learned so much during the journey of bringing such large and different concepts to life.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
We love creating and working with teams that are doing something that’s never been done before.
It’s hard to say what we specialize in because our team is drawn to all types of projects. We design and build immersive environments that include massive video walls, 360 sound systems, resort-wide AV systems, Themed VR services, award-winning apps, and even museum exhibits.
I guess we specialize in using technology to make cool and fun experiences all over the world.
Are there any apps, books, podcasts, blogs, or other resources you think our readers should check out?
YES!! I pull so much inspiration from movies, video gaming, and of course my involvement in Burning Man.
Everything I watch or attend, I’m always working to understand how they did something and what would take it to the next level. I believe creativity is a muscle you gotta keep working to build up. It’s something I’m very intentional about. Your mind is like the rest of your body, what you put into it matters.
If you’re looking to up your creativity, I highly recommend going to music festivals, getting out in nature, traveling, or diving into a world you know nothing about with an open mind.
Be like Dora & go exploring!
Contact Info:
- Website: www.ascendstudios.com
- Instagram: @ascend_studios
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AscendStudios/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/ascend-studios/
Image Credits
Ascend Studios
