THE CHALLENGE
Over the following three weeks, we prototyped and manufactured two working arcade machines, a variety of self-standing 3D characters, photo backdrop elements, a custom rug, dimensional Snapchat logo trophy, and tabletop QR code cards, all in the style of the pixelated 8-bit video game. Given the nature of a multi-stop “roadshow,” this project needed to be scalable and adaptable to a variety of different room footprints. We intentionally designed flexibility into the setup by grouping and layering the characters, consoles, rug, photo backdrops and benches for smaller event spaces. For bigger footprints, the elements could be spread out and work just as well.
The pop-up activation also needed to be repeatedly and easily assembled and disassembled by Snapchat’s event marketing team. Smaller boxes always make for lesser shipping charges, so our fulfillment crew carefully flat-packed the arcade game console pieces with detailed assembly instructions and then shipped out the colorful project. The touring pop-up made its way around NYC, filling agency creatives with 90’s video game nostalgia and earning Snapchat and Studio Mega a new high score!
Summary of Infinity Images Services
- Project Management – Our project managers facilitated ongoing communication between Studio Mega designers and our internal engineering, prepress, fabrication, and shipping departments to ensure all graphic components were produced correctly.
- Engineering – Through research and development, we engineered working arcade machines with an embedded tablet, and wireless mouse and keyboard.
- Prepress – The preproduction crew ensured all art files were set up properly for our large-format digital printers and cutters.
- Printing – We printed the rug on our dye-sublimation fabric printer, and the characters, arcade game consoles, and photo backdrop graphics on our large-format printers.
- Cutting – All printed graphics were carefully cut to size using our large-format cutters.
- Fabrication – We manufactured the detailed self-standing characters and built the custom arcade machines out of MDF.
- Finishing – Each arcade machine component and 3D character was carefully wrapped in vinyl by our finishing crew.
- Fulfillment – We packed and shipped all pop-up activation components to Studio Mega for implementation.
If you’re interested in learning more about custom engineering and fabrication services, we’d love to chat ideas with you. Contact us to learn more!
WHAT WE DID
Last fall, our longtime creative partner, Studio Mega, designed Agency Adventure, a custom 8-bit desktop video game for Snapchat. In this game, players take on the role of an ad agency’s new business coordinator on their first day at work. Players move through an open office world that features four mini-games — each representing major stages of a client pitch.
The end goal was a pop-up arcade “roadshow” for Snapchat’s event marketing team to take to advertising and media agencies throughout New York City. When Studio Mega asked if we could team up to make it happen, we jumped at the opportunity. Their design concept called for two functioning arcade machines, several personified video game characters and icons, environmental graphics, a trophy, and tabletop info cards — all branded with Snapchat’s yellow, black, and white brand colors. The biggest challenge was going to be the custom arcade machines, so our engineering team dove into research and development to establish a game plan.
