Je-Jen Chiu

He was a cherished son, brother, and friend, and his presence will be deeply missed.

Je-Jen was born in Tainan, Taiwan on November 8, 1969, to I-Ping and Chun-Chih Chiu. He was the oldest of 3 children and grew up in Miami, Florida after the family immigrated to the United States. Je-Jen graduated from Southwest Miami High School and earned his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in architecture from Tulane University in New Orleans. He began his career in architecture and design at VOA Associates and over his career, he worked at HOK, BRPH Entertainment Design Studio, Hard Rock Café, Starwood Vacation Group, and most recently, at Universal Creative.

Je-Jen was passionate about his work as the Senior Art Director at Universal Studios, where he worked for over 15 years. His creative contributions can be seen in many areas of the park including Volcano Bay, Despicable Me Minion Mayhem, the Simpsons and hundreds of projects throughout the park. This was his dream job, and he loved the team he worked with at Universal Creative. Je-Jen also shared his love of Universal Studios often with family and friends, inviting them to enjoy the park when they came to visit Central Florida.

During his career, Je-Jen also worked on Universal’s City Walk. While at Hard Rock Café, he helped to design and renovate many Hard Rock Cafes across the US. His work can still be seen in the signature guitar at the Las Vegas Hard Rock and the iconic guitar wall at the Hard Rock Café in New York City.

Everyone who knew Je-Jen knew how much he loved to sketch and paint with watercolors. Je-Jen was never without a sketchbook, ink pen, and watercolor palette. If you sat in a café or airport waiting area, it’s quite possible you might have ended up in one of his many sketches. Je-Jen loved observing the world around him, capturing details and studying people and landscapes. His watercolor artwork is extensive, and it was not uncommon for family and friends to ask when his work would be showcased in an art gallery.

Je-Jen was also a master origami folder, and while he could fold the most technically challenging figures with one piece of paper, he was especially known for his paper cranes. Je-Jen loved to leave his signature cranes in different spots—in the office, car, or desk for friends and colleagues to discover.

Je-Jen was loved by many. Family, friends, and colleagues remember his smile and laughter, his generosity in sharing his passions, his mentorship and encouragement of others, and the genuine time he made for people. Over the years, coworkers and friends became part of his extended family. As a result, he was the adopted son, brother, and uncle to many.

Through his art, creativity, humor, and kindness, Je-Jen left a lasting mark on the people and places he touched.

Je-Jen is survived by his mother, Chun-Chih; brother, JeChun Chiu (Amie Chiu); sister, Chia Chee Chiu (David Gill); niece, Allison Chiu; cousins, Stanley Wu (Irene, Immanuel, Evangeline, Anissa), Sharon Wu, Tracey Howell (Rob Egloff), and countless close and lifelong friends. He was preceded in death by his father, I-Ping Chiu.

Memorial Services will be held on Saturday, May 23rd, 2026, at Baldwin-Fairchild Funeral Home for close family, friends and colleagues.

A Celebration of Life will be held in Orlando in mid-June, with details to come. All are welcome to join in celebrating Je-Jen’s life.