The 12th edition of Google I/O was held at the Shoreline Amphitheatre for the third consecutive year, drawing more than 9,000 attendees each day. Organizers expanded the event’s footprint this year, adding a ninth stage in a neighboring parking lot.
Photo: Courtesy of Google
A three-dimensional version of the Google I/O logo offered a popular photo op area—and included the event's #IO18 hashtag.
Photo: Courtesy of Google
Stage backdrops complemented the year's logo design, with geometric, 3-D lines and circles. Google’s events and experiences team, as well as the developer marketing team, worked with Sparks on the event production.
Photo: Courtesy of Google
Organizers drew inspiration from wayfinding and line management tools at well-trafficked theme parks. “Wayfinding was the most obvious and apparent thing from the minute you walked on campus,” explained Google’s Amanda Matuk. “Everyone understood exactly where they were and where they were going at all points in time.”
Photo: Courtesy of Google
Colorful signage was displayed prominently throughout the campus. The conference continued last year’s method of a neighborhood-like design, with a single Main Street connecting all areas of the massive event.
Photo: Courtesy of Google
Larger-than-life versions of Bugdroid, the Android mascot, marked certain areas of the event—such as the food pavilion—and also provided fun photos ops.
Photo: Courtesy of Google
New this year was an increase in information-sharing: Attendees could scan their badges at any session to receive more details on the topic.
Photo: Courtesy of Google
The on-site Codelabs allowed attendees to get hands-on coding experience at kiosks. The event also included Sandboxes, which were dedicated spaces to learn about and test Google’s latest products and platforms.
Photo: Courtesy of Google
As in previous years, the conference incorporated music-festival-inspired elements, such as oversize Jenga and Checkers games.
Photo: Courtesy of Google
Tongue-in-cheek signage on the ground added a fun touch for the crowd of developers, including one that spelled out “I love you” in binary code.
Photo: Courtesy of Google
As in years past, organizers provided postcards and invited attendees to write a note to a colleague, friend, or family member and drop it into one of the mailboxes located around the event. The goal was to add an analog touch to a tech-heavy environment.
Photo: Courtesy of Google
Another Budgroid photo op area featured a version made from greenery.
Photo: Courtesy of Google
Large tents that held sessions during the day were illuminated for the nighttime events, which included an arcade, musical entertainment, magic shows, and more.
Photo: Courtesy of Google
One evening event featured a cereal station as an out-of-the-box dessert.
Photo: Courtesy of Google
Attendees could also unwind after hours in a moon bounce.
Photo: Courtesy of Google
New York
The New York event was held first, on May 22 at the Sousa House—a historic brownstone in Greenwich Village. Organizers used vinyl to wrap the front door with MobileIron branding.
Photo: Jane Kratochvil
New York
Intimate breakout sessions were held in various rooms of the townhouse, including the bedrooms. AFR provided furniture rentals for all three events.
Photo: Jane Kratochvil
New York
One bedroom-slash-breakout room had a large tub; organizers made it feel intentional by filling it with branded rubber duckies.
Photo: Jane Kratochvil
New York
Additional branding took over the rest of the multi-story home, with MobileIron logos and signage on the staircases, floors, and even the refrigerators.
Photo: Jane Kratochvil
Austin
The Austin event took place at the Lake Travis House on June 4. Screens were displayed in each room so that attendees could sit anywhere in the house to watch the keynote and other speeches.
Photo: Olivia Vale
Austin
Instead of handing out maps, organizers used lighting—in shades of blue, purple, orange, green, and red—to differentiate the rooms and direct attendees.
Photo: Olivia Vale
Austin
To match the city’s unique vibe and take advantage of the lakeside estate, organizers booked a live band to perform for attendees. The house’s garage was also transformed with string lights to give it the feel of a local club.
Photo: Olivia Vale
Los Angeles
The Los Angeles edition, which took place July 7, was held at the Chantilly Estate in Bel Air. The stylish, modern mansion also featured subtle vinyl branding on the front and garage doors.
Photo: Jordan Strauss
Los Angeles
Taking advantage of the Los Angeles weather—and the mansion's memorable mountain setting—the closing keynote took place around the estate’s pool.
Photo: Jordan Strauss
Los Angeles
Also in the pool area, attendees could unwind with a game of mini golf.
Photo: Jordan Strauss
Los Angeles
Organizers created branded pillows for each of the three events.
Photo: Jordan Strauss
