Yakovetic has worked with the Walt Disney Company for over thirty years. Under the tutelage of Disney Veteran, Charles Boyer, Joe began work as an illustrator for Disney’s Vacationland Magazine. Eventually, Joe was asked to join the creative team putting together the Disney Stores.  Here, he worked designing store windows and various elements of the stores.  Some of his windows won prizes at their prospective malls.

Disney Books by Mail, came next, illustrating and art directing the 24 Little Mermaid Treasure Chest series, six, 101 Dalmatians series, and many more. Along with these books, came many coloring books and puzzles.  He has illustrated over 50 books. Because of his background in costume design, Golden Books hired him to redo and create new paper dolls.

Disneyland continued to call him as a concept illustrator for various attractions.  Some of these pieces hang in offices at the TDA building.  One job had Joe sketching out a fence to surround the, “Partners” statue of Walt Disney and Mickey Mouse, soon to be installed in the Hub.  In addition to meeting the request, Joe presented an additional sketch, where he added pedestals for statues of other Disney Characters.  When visiting Disneyland today, visitors can see Joe’s suggestion, a tribute to Walt Disney.

Because of his publishing experience, Joe was asked to try painting the “One of a Kind Art Watches” on Main Street.  A guest purchases a  watch, the artist creates a drawing which is copied and placed on the face of a watch.  At New Century Time Pieces, Joe introduced the idea of painting the watch, thus creating even lovelier art treasures for the guests and boosting sales.  While serving at this venue, Joe began to build a following, not only purchasing one of his many watch designs but his books and other product as well.  Guests still inquire if there are any Yakovetic watches available.

During all this time, Joe maintained freelance work as an award winning costume and set designer, and also designed props for numerous theatrical events including “Disney’s Little Mermaid on Ice” and “The Disney Fair.”

Even Christopher Radko commissioned Joe to design over 50 Disney ornaments.  Joe has been a favorite speaker for the Christopher Radko Society.

Joe also represents The Walt Disney Company as a sketch artist, performing “live” sketches of Disney characters for groups all over the world.

During Disneyland’s 50th Anniversary, Joe designed the theater, set and graphics that wrap the set for “Say ‘Hello!’ to Honda’s ASIMO.”   Located at Innoventions, in Tomorrowland, the show has had over 1,000 performances and continues to be a guest favorite.

For the past several years, Yakovetic has created many original oil paintings for the Disneyland Gallery.  His work at the Gallery has earned him the name, “Painter of Shadows” because of hidden images in his paintings.