Don Schaffer enjoyed a diversified career in the field of art. He was born in Hico, Texas in 1904. His extensive studies include the Taxco Art School, Otis Art Institute, College of Mexico City, University of California, Chouinard Art Institute, and California State College at Long Beach. After more study at the University of Southern California in architecture, he decided to pursue a career in that field.

The Depression altered his plans and he found himself working for Warner Brothers Studios as a designer and layout artist for the cartoon department. Later he would be employed in similar work at Meto-Goldwyn-Mayer and Disney Studios. At Disney, Schaffer worked as an animation artist for such film classics as "Fantasia" and "Snow ...