The Guler family has lived in the Highland Meadows community for over 17 years. Greg, an Animation Character Designer for Walt Disney Studios Television Animation since 1991, brings a touch of magic to life with his creative talents. More on his exciting career in a bit! Kathy complements this artistry with her role as a Food Service Operations Manager and Chef at Primrose School of FoCo since 2021.

 

The Gulers are proud parents to two daughters: Alicia, who recently married Connor Kelly and is pursuing her PhD in clinical psychology at UNC, and Stephanie, who is married to Chris Shellenberger and resides in Aurora, CO. They are also doting grandparents to three lively grandchildren: Dylan (16), Jackson (9), and Brooklyn (6), who often visit for their much anticipated "Summer of Fun" with their grandparents. The family extends beyond Colorado, with Greg and Kathy’s son, Ryan, and son-in-law, Matt, living in Southern California.

 

The Gulers chose Highland Meadows for its mature landscapes and welcoming atmosphere, and they found it even more special when their close friends from California surprised them by recently purchasing the home directly behind them! They actively engage with the local community, with Greg making special guest appearances at schools for drawing classes, attending comic conventions, and donating original artwork for silent auctions. Their commitment to nurturing creativity in the next generation exemplifies their belief that “Life’s an adventure!”

 

When it comes to leisure, the Gulers enjoy various activities, including RV camping, swimming, archery, and building superhero models. Kathy says, “We love family movie nights, especially classics like the Universal Monster movies during Halloween. Fondue on Christmas Eve, decorating the Christmas tree while watching Christmas Vacation, and annual glamping trips each summer are more of our cherished traditions.”

 

Now, let's explore Greg Guler's fascinating career! Greg recently retired after 32 years as a television animation character designer at Walt Disney Studios. The family moved to Highland Meadows from Southern California in 2006 while he was designing Phineas & Ferb. Disney didn’t want to lose him, so Greg worked from his basement studio in Highland Meadows while commuting back to Burbank. Residents may recognize his work on classics like Darkwing Duck, Gargoyles, The Goofy Movie, Lilo & Stitch, Mickey Mouse Clubhouse, The Little Mermaid II, Tarzan, and his latest show, Hamster & Gretel. Greg received two Emmy nominations for his work on Buzz Lightyear of Star Command, a 2-D animated adaptation of the Toy Story films, as well as a nomination for Atlantis.

 

Greg has been passionate about art since he began reading comics at age six and started drawing at just three. Although he watched cartoons and read comics, he didn’t grasp how animation worked until high school, where he took drawing, painting, and sculpting classes in his small hometown of New Rockford, ND. Lacking access to art schools and financial resources for a university education, Greg was primarily self-taught, learning skills like portfolio design at the closest vocational school, eight hours away.

 

Before joining Disney, Greg spent four years as a penciler for DC Comics on Hawk and Dove and worked as an illustrator at Trend Enterprises and Bajus Jones Animation Studio, where he painted cels and created advertising art.

 

At Disney, Greg starts character design by collaborating with the creator to define a style. He bases designs on the original movie for adaptations like Lilo & Stitch: The Animated Series, using scripts and storyboards to shape the characters' personalities. His work includes original characters like Goliath from Gargoyles. This series was revolutionary for Disney as a darker, more superhero-esque property because of his background in the comic industry. He enjoyed adopting the first-ever Mickey Mouse and the gang for CGI, again, a revolutionary project in Mickey Mouse Clubhouse. His longest-running show, Phineas & Ferb, features beloved characters like Dr. Doofenshmirtz and Perry the Platypus, with even his daughter Alicia appearing as Gretchen, a Fireside Girl. In fact, many friends and relatives have had their likeness appear in some of his shows.

 

Over his 32+ years at Walt Disney Television, Greg’s journey has evolved from hand-drawn illustrations to digital design. He emphasizes that aspiring animators need a solid foundation in drawing fundamentals—anatomy, perspective, composition, and color—alongside technical skills. Greg says, “While I still sketch out design ideas by hand with a pencil on a piece of paper, most roughs and tight designs are now constructed on a Cintiq using Photoshop or Illustrator, and almost always Mac-based.

 

An art education is important for people wanting to pursue this career. Cal Arts in Santa Clarita, CA, founded by Walt Disney himself, is one of the premier art schools that feed the studios. During an education, internships are an excellent way for people interested in the animation business to learn more. Taking classes on basic animation, in-betweening, layout, and design through the Animation Guild are also a good way to pursue your interest and ability. “And don’t hesitate to start from the ground up…A copy room attendant or clean-up artist has been known to become the VP of an animation studio!” states Greg.

 

In closing, Greg says, “I will never stop drawing. I am looking forward to having time to develop some of my own properties and attending more Comic Cons throughout the country to meet up with fans and continue to inspire the younger generation to pursue their passion. I also have many model building projects and sculpting I’ve looked forward to getting around to all these years.”

 

Congratulations to Greg on his retirement from Disney! Wishing you all the best in your new adventures!