PROJECT BRIEF
This is a design proposal for MTV's Upfront Event that I presented to their design team. I was to design a concept to be produced in Terminal 5, an event venue in New York City. The design had to include the overall look and feel, layout, stage design, furniture sourcing and sketches of some of the spaces.
THE VENUE
INSPIRATION | IMAGE RESEARCH
THE CONCEPT
The concept for the event and consequently the space is in part based on the design for the Upfront presentation in the Beacon Theater, where the structure is minimalized by the use of lines of (LED) light. The idea of wireframe structures became very interesting because they suggest space and delineate its essence. I wanted to highlight the fact that this is a party for a television brand by making the stage the “inside of a television screen”. That means that the Red, Green and Blue lights that travel through the space are the TV’s RGB that form the picture. The stage then becomes a portal to people’s homes through the creation of the illusion that people are watching the performance/event through their television, ipad, phone, or computer screen.
RECEPTION AREA
Inspired by the design of the Upfront Show at the Beacon Theater, I propose to have a “living room corner” at the reception that mixes an antique interior style with a modern lighting twist. This room is entirely white except for the LED lines that create a wireframe and highlight the overall structure. It is a place where people can hang out, meet up when entering and get their first drink at the mirrored bar. This same concept would be done in some areas of the second and third floor as well. As seen in the floorplan, the MTV larger than life logo is the first thing you encounter when entering the space.
MAIN HALL
The overall LED structure, including the chandelier, is somewhat derivative of the architecture at the Beacon Theater, although much more simple. The layout of the space provides for different types of interactions and experiences, while staying highly functional. The different types of settings within the same space create a dynamic look and feel that goes very much in accordance with MTV’s values and target audience.
THE STAGE
The idea behind the stage is to create the illusion as if we, as the audience, were inside the TV being watched by an audience through their devices. The LEDs that travel through the space converge on stage as the RGB system would on a TV set. The stage performers would mostly perform backwards towards the virtual audience.
THE 'DINING TABLE'
As can be seen in the floorplan, the “dining table” can fit up to 60 people at a time. This is a space where guests can sit to eat, watch the performances up close, have a more luxurious experience as this table is filled with beautiful, intricate pieces.
