Kem Weber

Kem Weber (1889--1960), a well-known mid-century architect, was part of the distinctive West Coast modernism movement that helped shaped the relaxed California lifestyle. He influenced California style during the mid-twentieth century with buildings architecture, interior designs and furniture, including his famed Air Line chair, which is part of many museum furniture collections. As chief designer for the Walt Disney Studios in Burbank in 1939, Kem Weber also designed the specialized animation furniture that went into the then new studio complex. The Disney animation furniture, which has been lauded in recent years, was designed for specific animation disciplines with input from the artists that would be using it. It was all part of Walt Disney's desire to create an efficient utopian campus for animated film production. This book is a comprehensive overview of the Kem Weber designed Disney animation furniture that takes the reader on a journey from concept sketches and photos to interviews with legendary artists. David A. Bossert celebrates and details the form and function of this unique mid-century furniture and the impact it had on the Disney animation process over the decades.
"In his authoritative new work, Kem Weber: Furniture Designs for the Disney Studios, Dave Bossert once again shows a fusion of erudition and passion for his subject, introducing a new generation to a remarkable and sadly-neglected artist, and documenting the significant and timeless cross-disciplinary design portfolio he created for Walt Disney." --Jeff Kurtti, Disney historian and author, The Art of Tangled

A feature article titled, "Dave Bossert Wrote the Book on Disney Animation Furniture" by Joanna Werch Takes. An interview with the author of Kem Weber: Mid-Century Furniture Designs for the Disney Studios, and his views on this unique specialty furniture that was the foundation for the creation of many of the Disney animated classics. --WoodworkersJournal.com
"Mapping the intersection of utility and style, this book examines the architecture and furniture of Kem Weber and how his aesthetic complimented the working culture of Disney Studios. Pairing original illustrations, photographs and descriptions of Weber's furniture alongside anecdotes from the artists who worked on it." --The US Review of Books
"Walt Disney's studio lot in Burbank was an animator's utopia, thanks in large part to the designs of Kem Weber. His influence could be felt from the architecture of the buildings to the custom furniture created for the various animation disciplines. Disney fans have no doubt seen it before through behind-the-scenes photos or Disney Archives exhibits, but few have touched it or sat in it. But you'll feel like you have when you read Dave Bossert's newest book, a dream project called Kem Weber: Mid-Century Designs for the Disney Studios." --Alex Reif, https: //www.laughingplace.com ​

Nominee: IBPA Benjamin Franklin Book Awards --www.ibpa-online.org/news/440987/31st-Annual-IBPA-Benjamin-Franklin-Awards.htm
Feature article on the new book Kem Weber: Mid-Century Furniture Designs for the Disney Studios, discusses the design period and furniture as part of a review of the book. --https: //www.collectorsweekly.com/articles/disney-animator-desk/

"Kem Weber Mid Century Furniture Design for the Disney Studios is a new book by David A. Bossert, animator, historian and author. If you're not familiar with Kem, then you are in for a treat! I saw a release about the book and reached out to the publisher for a review copy. It showed up a few weeks later and I knew I wanted to do a sneak peek of the book for YouTube. Kem Weber was responsible for designing the Disney Studios in Burbank as well as all of the furniture, furnishings and the famous animation desks. Check out my video sneak peek about the Kem Weber book: https: //www.youtube.com/watch?v=8bGvs2_sFzs" --George Taylor, ImagiNERDing
"When author David A. Bossert left a long career in animation at the Walt Disney Studios, the company gave him the gift of his vintage animator's desk to take home. The history of the dinged up, nicotine stained workhorse used by generations of artists intrigued him, and now we have the definitive guide to the work of a designer who not only created the studio buildings but the gorgeous and highly specialized furniture for the directors, writers, and animators who filled them. Weber's original drawings are magnificent, and historic photos of the designer inspecting the work side by side with Uncle Walt highlights the level of detail that the Burbank studio has always been famous for." --Chris Nichols, Los Angeles Magazine
Kem Weber: Mid-Century Furniture Designs for the Disney Studios was included in Los Angeles Magazine's "The Best Books About L.A. of 2018" review. --Interview, Los Angeles Magazine, https: //www.lamag.com/culturefiles/best-books-about-la-2018/?fbclid=IwAR2oFv5_CEMDP_uTIvMmYVgNjZu3hlDG4lD1Pt22bpLVYqEtD_T8En6gAzM
"Dave Bossert, a veteran effects animator of the Walt Disney studio, was gifted the original Kem Weber-designed desk on his departure. His affection for this desk prompted a new monograph on Weber's important design contributions to the Walt Disney studios in Burbank." --Patricia Zohn, www.culturezohn.com
All About Mouse Central Podcast Episode #381 - Dave Bossert: Mid-Century Furniture Designs For the Disney Studios--November 19, 2018; This is a popular Disney fan based podcast.
This is a two page article spread in the Disney Vacation Club magazine Winter edition that is mailed on December 7th. --Disney Files Magazine/ Winter 2018, Volume 27, Number 4