When the Watchmen movie premiered in 2009, emoji were not yet a part of the public consciousness. However, the Los Angeles premiere party’s animated video effects suggested a way to use modern-day emojis: Happy faces lit up two 15-foot circular screens for a larger-than-life audiovisual effect.
While projected signage has long been an event staple, utilizing a dance troupe to create branding blurs the line between marketing and art in order to tease a product launch or showcase a company’s breadth of creativity. Silhouetted behind a translucent screen, dancers can use their bodies to shape words or objects related to the event—as Pilobolus, a modern dance company famous for its shadow theater, has done for brands such as IBM and Google. Pricing available upon request.
The 10-camera Array from StudioBooth captures one moment from multiple angles to create dynamic 3-D gifs. It’s easy to set up and fits in a 10- by 10-foot space. The gifs can be shared immediately on social networks and via email.
A new event, the invitation-only Salute to Armed Services Ball at the National Building Museum, was the third official ball that President Trump attended. After remarks from the President and a short statement from the First Lady—her first comments of the evening—they danced to a rendition "I Will Always Love You." A live satellite feed of troops in Afghanistan was included.
Aerialists performed from within a dramatic green-draped cube.
Essence kicked off Grammy weekend with its eighth annual Black Women in Music event at NeueHouse Hollywood, sponsored by Lincoln and Absolut, featuring live performances from Erykah Badu and Tiwa Savage.
Gold Sky Productions designed the event, where a color-blocking theme lent a bold, graphic look.
A range of old-school concert stubs—from a time when people saved them as souvenirs, before digital ticketing was the norm—arranged under a glass tabletop created eye-catching, on-theme decor.
The inaugural Toronto Light Festival kicked off January 27 and runs through March 12 in the Distillery District. For a selfie op, the installation by LightForm of the Netherlands offers two egg-shape sculptures lined with mirrors and trippy lights.
The Toronto Public Library Foundation hosted its inaugural Biblio Bash fund-raiser on April 27. The event, which was designed by Candice & Alison, featured branded tables with word games for guests.
Hearst's NewFront for its digital brands took place May 3 at Skylight Modern in New York. Designed by BMF Media, the presentation had a food area with bright and playful wall and floor coverings, along with screens promoting related content. The entrance walls were designed to resemble classic ice cream sandwiches and candy button strips.
ESPN introduced its latest version of SportsCenter called SC6 with Jemele Hill and Michael Smith with a makeshift bar setup on stage during its Upfront presentation at the Minskoff Theatre on May 16.
The large tents that housed sessions during the day became canvases for pop-up artwork during the opening-night Block Party. Cyclists with projectors mounted on their bikes would stop to show a scene or short film on the side of the tent.
Comic-Con International, which was held from July 20 to 23 in San Diego, is known for over-the-top stunts and interactive fan experiences. Comedy Central series Broad City got in on the action for the first time this year with a life-size coloring book activation. Illustrations designed by Broad City artist Mike Perry covered the walls and furniture.
Throughout the long weekend, attendees used neon paint to add color. The activation—which took place at the San Diego Wine & Culinary Center—also offered Broad City-inspired manicures and temporary tattoos.
At BizBash Live: Los Angeles and BizBash Live: Florida, held on July 19 and May 4, respectively, Champagne Creative Group encouraged guest participation at its booth with a giant coloring book.
A photo booth at the beginning of the experience allowed attendees to take holographic-inspired shots in a box created with mirrors and neon lights that changed colors.
SoftLab, a New York-based design studio, created “Volume,” an interactive cube of responsive mirrors that redirected light and sound as a volume that reflected the excitement of attendees surrounding the cube.
Lollapalooza returned to Chicago's Grant Park from August 3 to 6. Between stages, festival grounds offered plenty of props for guests to pose with—including a giant fake lollipop in the festival's signature blue-and-orange hues.
In another Jane Says challenge, guests used their body heat to try to win free T-shirt prizes from a frozen block of ice.
Cadillac, the official vehicle of Apple Music's Carpool Karaoke: The Series, brought a Cadillac Carpool Karaoke Booth that combined a sound studio with the Cadillac XT5 Crossover. The booth was created by Jack Morton Worldwide and OM Digital.
With the help of a green screen, participants could record a social-media-shareable video of themselves singing along to popular songs.
The Red Bull Sound Select event, which took place on December 6 at the Ground, featured performances from local and national hip-hop and R&B artists. The musical lineup was curated by Florida artist Twelve'len and included work from emerging Miami artist Jason Arles.
The room by spoken-word artist Ashlee Haze, conceptual artist Jonathan Rosen, and art-tech company Wallplay is one of may spaces to play up themes of empowerment. On the walls are words of self-acceptance from Haze, while an interactive mirror from Rosen flipps through a series of positive affirmations.
Water brand Perrier and artist Hottea created a colorful installation made from 1,500 linear yards of yarn. Guests can immerse themselves in scented listening booths designed to inspire creativity. Each area is marked with a tongue-in-cheek phrase based on the flavor, such as “You’re one in a melon” and “I love your zest for life.”
Entertainer Lilly Singh also focused her installation on female empowerment, presenting women as superheroes and attempting to break down the cycle of girl-on-girl hate. Refinery29 staffers acted as models for the painted work. Attendees are also invited to enter a phone booth and call a female friend to spread a message of love.
A colorful, interactive fairground is a collaboration between Google Pixel 2 and artist Nina Chanel Abney. In addition to games and slides, the space features thought-provoking artwork adorned with phrases such as “Does identity have to mean one thing?” and “We are all the same.”
In a room created by Belletrist book club founders Emma Roberts and Karah Preiss, a larger-than-life typewriter is adorned with a quote from Joan Didion. Aiming to celebrate female authors and the art of storytelling alive, dozens of empty books are available for attendees to write in. New to the Los Angeles edition, Belletrist is partnering with L.A.-based book-donation service Re-Book It and local store the Last Bookstore; attendees are invited to donate used books throughout the two weekends.
Refinery29 brought its 29Rooms experience to Los Angeles for the first time from December 7 to 10 at Row DTLA. The event, which kicked off again on Thursday and runs through Sunday, features installations by contemporary artists, brands, and celebrities, focused on the theme of “Turn It To Art,” which is about using creativity to drive positive change. Water brand Perrier and artist Hottea created a colorful installation made from 1,500 linear yards of yarn. Guests can immerse themselves in scented listening booths designed to inspire creativity. Each area is marked with a tongue-in-cheek phrase based on the flavor, such as “You’re one in a melon” and “I love your zest for life.”
Decor included Christmas-theme topiary dogs in partnership with Volvo and inspired by the nine reindeer that pull Santa’s sleigh.
The inside of the bus featured over-the-top Christmas and branded Bacardi decorations, which were handled by Caspar Haydar Design.
