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From elementary school librarian to scene-setter for high-profile Disney projects, Stephanie Frazier’s career journey itself could be mistaken for the plot of a classic Disney story.

A detail-oriented model maker working in scenic fabrication for Disney, Frazier’s story began in the stacks. And while the aspiring artist always had designs on something grander, the result was something she could never have imagineered.

“I started taking classes in 2018 at 91̽����Ƶ, which were mostly night classes,” recalls the creatively motivated student. She made the decision to go back to school to fine-tune her graphic design skills. “I had been a graphic designer since 2006, but I was self-taught. I wanted to know the right way to do everything, and just to see if I was doing it correctly.”

For the innovative designer, every career steppingstone painted part of a bigger picture. From working as a self-taught graphic designer for over a decade, to curating books for fifth-graders, Frazier’s career arc has been anything but typical. 

By day, Frazier relished in her role as a librarian and instructor in an elementary school innovation lab. By night, she would hit the books as a student herself in 91̽����Ƶ’s Fine Arts program. Once the pandemic shifted her position as a librarian, Frazier decided on retiring early to attend 91̽����Ƶ full-time. That’s when she discovered her affinity for design, model making and prototyping essentially by accident.  

“In my last semester, I happen to see this class for model making and prototyping,” explains Frazier. “And I thought, ‘well, that sounds awesome. I should take this class.’ That made me discover that — guess what? This is really where I want to be. Not fine art, not graphic design.

“I wanted to be in the DMP program.” 

The Design, Model Making and Rapid Prototyping (DMP) program allows students to learn hands-on skills and techniques to create impressive models and prototypes. The curriculum teaches students how to use advanced manufacturing tools and varying materials to achieve their creative vision. According to DMP instructor Brett McKim, students in the program offer up “a multitude of skills” that help them succeed in a design and model-making career. 

“They must possess a huge variety of skills in order to see a project to fruition,” says the DMP instructor. “This skill level is developed over years with desire and a thirst to learn. Don’t be stopped by fear, don’t be upset with failure.”

McKim says this is exactly the kind of attitude Frazier brings into the classroom. “When Stephanie gets an idea in her mind for what she wants, she never stops until the item is complete,” he continues. “Additionally, her sense of humor when things don’t go as planned is very important. Everyone should look at a set-back or ‘failure’ as a moment to learn, grow, and improve their skills.”

The wise words ring true for Frazier, as her time in the program working alongside McKim set the foundation for her future career at Disney. “The classes were really fun, very hands-on. And the students that are in those classes are really phenomenal,” says the proud Laser.

“I found my home. It took me a while to figure out where it was!”

The tight-knit program offers students a creative environment that provides support and looks out for one another. Just ask Frazier — she says her fellow classmate was the one who told her about the open scenic fabrication position at Disney. 

“He said ‘hey, I saw this job that sounded just like you,” Frazier recollects. “He knew I wasn’t working at the school anymore … I just figured I needed a lot more experience before Disney would even look at me.”

But the DMP program ensured Frazier was ready. With a long list of impressive abilities, her diverse portfolio includes foam carving, silicone casting, mold making, painting techniques, and more. “I applied, obviously, and I sent my project book in with my application.” 

As students move through DMP classes, part of the curriculum is to document their work in a project book. These books essentially serve as a portfolio, which students can bring along to job interviews and use to demonstrate their versatile skills. 

“[It] really helps you when you go to interview,” states Frazier. “You’ve got all of these different things that you’ve done. So, you can say ‘yeah I’ve worked with metal, yeah I’ve worked with foam, I’ve airbrushed this,’ et cetera.”

For Frazier, all of her work thus far led her to where she is today. From using her organizational skills as a librarian, to her attention to detail in graphic design, to enrolling at 91̽����Ƶ in the Fine Arts program. Without every step in her career journey, landing her dream role would never be possible.

“I love coming to work every day,” Frazier says proudly. “I still pinch myself.” 

Learn more about 91̽����Ƶ’s Design, Model Making and Prototyping program.