Most conferences look like conferences. For a 500+ person company event, I wanted people to feel like they had stepped into a story the moment they arrived.

I designed a full Willy Wonka themed environment from the ground up. A gold damask half wallpaper backdrop. A roll top desk, a chair, a coat rack, and a painting, each cut in half, the same visual gag pulled straight from the film. I sourced the furniture and art and engaged our facilities team to cut each piece in half and build the stage supports. I made the oversized lollipops, gumdrops, and half bust by hand as sculptural pieces. Our events department handled the red carpet entrance. The signage, resources, and chocolate bar carried through the same world down to the smallest detail. The half wallpaper, golden ticket screen, and workbook cover were designed by a design colleague in collaboration with Marketing.

I directed the creative vision and coordinated production across seven internal teams: facilities, warehouse, design, video, marketing, content, and events. I sourced and purchased the props and materials, led the cross-functional team through execution, and oversaw the full on-site install. It delivered on schedule, and people talked about it for weeks.