Conference: Stage Design
TED Countdown Summit 2023
In collaboration with TED, we had the honor of designing the stage for the Countdown Summit in Detroit, Michigan, bringing together over 700 global leaders to discuss groundbreaking innovations addressing global warming and the transition to a net-zero world. The stage design aimed to reflect the theme of Detroit's future revitalization, blending elements of sustainability, nature, and the city’s rich history or rebirth and regrowth.
Our concept highlighted native greenery, drawing inspiration from the overgrowth and ghost gardens that hint at Detroit’s past lives, creating a living connection to the city’s evolving narrative. This was paired with an abstract skyline set, symbolizing Detroit’s forward-thinking vision, set against a hand-drawn illustration that celebrated the city’s architectural legacy.
To align with the event's sustainability goals, we utilized eco-friendly materials throughout the fabrication process, ensuring the design not only showcased Detroit’s future but also honored the principles of environmental responsibility. This stage served as a powerful visual backdrop, reflecting both the city’s history and its bright, sustainable future.
Exhibit: Grand Re-opening
Michigan Central Station
In collaboration with Ford, Fandangle Events, and Michigan Central, we were entrusted with the interior layout, furniture selection, 3D designs, production, and installation of select interactive exhibits for the Michigan Central Grand Re-opening in June 2024.
Our design approach blended historical and modern elements, bringing the rich legacy of the train station to life. We used iconic Detroit posters in a wheat paste-style application to transform the former ticket booth, creating a visual connection to the city’s history. We also designed museum-style casework to showcase artifacts related to the train station’s past, allowing visitors to engage with its heritage.
To further enhance the experience, we introduced large, moveable SEG lightboxes featuring key figures integral to the station’s restoration. These illuminated displays brought attention to the people behind the revitalization, adding a contemporary touch to the historic setting. This project highlighted our ability to integrate interactive elements with carefully crafted design, creating a compelling, immersive experience for all attendees.
Exhibit: Urban Art Installation
Monroe Street Midway 2023
The Monroe Street Midway project is a vibrant and dynamic addition to Downtown Detroit’s outdoor entertainment scene, blending playful design with artful execution. This space features a creatively designed outdoor mini-golf course where large abstract shapes serve as obstacles, infusing color and light into each round. The design pulls inspiration from the surrounding artwork, creating an immersive, visually stunning experience for visitors.
During the winter months, the course undergoes a transformation, with each hole’s colorful grass replaced by a faux ice rink, offering a fresh and engaging experience. Carefully curated spotlights highlight the various activations throughout the space, ensuring the Midway’s energy and aesthetic shine even after sunset. The project successfully adapts to the changing seasons, offering a lively and unique destination year-round.
FESTIVAL: Outdoor Activation
Movement 2022-2024
In partnership with Paxahau, we got to work on the design and development of immersive event experiences for a vibrant techno music festival set in the heart of Detroit. My role involved coming up custom decor elements that captured the spirit of the festival, including ceiling installations, DJ backdrops, and VIP bar designs. we also conceptualized and crafted interactive photo ops that allowed festival-goers to engage with the environment and become a part of the event's visual identity.
Beyond decorative elements, we play a key role in curating furniture selections, lighting design, and the overall layout, ensuring each aspect of the festival environment was cohesive, functional, and energized. This project was an exciting fusion of creativity and spatial design, bringing together various elements to create a dynamic and memorable experience for attendees.
Exhibit: Urban Art Installation
MONROE STREET MIDWAY
In collaboration with Bedrock, the Monroe Street Midway project is a colorful new addition to the outdoor entertainment scene in Downtown Detroit. This project features an outdoor mini golf course that injects color and light into each round, using large abstract shapes as obstacles and pulling colors from the surrounding artwork to create a fun and visually stunning experience. During the winter season the colorful grass for each hole gets replaced with a faux ice rink and curated spotlights highlight each activation to give it another life.
Event: Stage Design
UWM Live
In collaboration with United Wholesale Mortgage, We designed the stage for their annual 'UWM Live' event in 2024. Drawing inspiration from the event logo, we created a dynamic, dimensional stage backdrop that could be easily transformed and customized to suit the various performances throughout the event. Programmable LED lighting was integrated into the design, allowing for dramatic effects that enhanced the atmosphere and spotlighted key moments during the show.
In addition to the stage design, I was also responsible for curating furniture selections and designing the overall event layout. The combination of functional furniture, thoughtful spatial planning, and striking design elements helped create a seamless, immersive environment that aligned with the event’s energy and branding.
In collaboration with Bedrock, the Monroe Street Midway project is a colorful new addition to the outdoor entertainment scene in Downtown Detroit. This project features an outdoor mini golf course that injects color and light into each round, using large abstract shapes as obstacles and pulling colors from the surrounding artwork to create a fun and visually stunning experience. During the winter season the colorful grass for each hole gets replaced with a faux ice rink and curated spotlights highlight each activation to give it another life.