The event took place in a large warehouse venue with a 20-foot-wide stage positioned at the back. Given budget constraints and the natural flow of the crowd, it wasn’t practical to decorate the entire space, especially since the core energy of the event centered around the main stage, where 400-600 attendees were consistently gathered.

My primary goal was to create a striking stage centerpiece that would immediately capture attention and double as a strong photo opportunity. I developed the concept for large 7 by 16 feet wide inflatable legs inspired by our mascot’s color palette, which were then brought to life by Custom Inflatables, reinforcing the visual identity established throughout the campaign. To build out the environment, I leaned into a neon aesthetic, incorporating balloons, neon webbing, hanging planets, and star garlands to transform the stage area into an immersive, high-energy focal point.

I also wanted to introduce an interactive element that allowed attendees to contribute to the experience. We brought in student face painters to offer neon face paint during the first hour of the event. This not only aligned with Purchase’s strong artistic culture by showcasing student talent, but also encouraged earlier arrivals, boosting initial attendance, energy, and overall engagement from the start of the night.