To have a long-lasting impact on those who see your brand, your brand’s marketing needs to have that ‘wow’ factor; not only online, but also in person. At events like business expos, trade shows, conferences, and public events, you and other brands are in a constant bid for the attention of event-goers.
One surefire way of making your brand stand out is by using a pop-up dome. Pop-up domes offer some unique benefits in terms of experiential marketing because they provide a unique event space where you can cultivate just the right environment for your brand. Let’s explore what pop-up domes are, how they can benefit your brand, and how to go about getting one.
What Are Pop-up Domes?
Pop-up domes are large spherical or geodesic dome structures in which guests can go inside and enjoy images and videos displayed on the interior walls using projection mapping. Think of a planetarium dome, but instead of being fixed in one place, you can build it practically anywhere. What makes pop-up domes special is that they’re a completely tailored experience that’s only available for a limited time, adding further appeal to the event that’s being hosted.
There are two popular types of pop-up domes: inflatable and geodesic, with the latter being the more popular. Inflatable domes are made from durable, weather-resistant materials like PVC, TPU, or vinyl. Geodesic pop-up domes are multi-layered, with the first layer comprising lightweight but sturdy materials like aluminum and steel. Covered over the framed structure is a durable, weather-resistant dome cover, usually made from PVC-coated polyester or stretch fabric. Inside, you can fill the space with everything necessary to create an outstanding experience for guests, such as an array of projectors, a high-quality sound system, and even HVAC systems if needed.
Dominican Republic Ministry of Toursism Pop-Up Dome
5 Ways Pop-up Domes Make Your Business Stand Out
With an understanding of what pop-up domes are, let’s explore several innovative ways that pop-up domes can make your business stand out from the rest.
1. Tailored Brand Experience
With a pop-up dome, you have unparalleled creative control over how your brand is presented, ensuring a seamless brand experience for your guests. From the outside, a branded dome cover featuring your company logo, colors, and messaging is bound to stand out to anyone passing by. On the inside, indoor projection mapping can transform the interior into a custom-themed environment that highlights your company’s unique brand elements.
Creating an immersive atmosphere is easier as you have the ability to freely customize not just visuals, but also soundscapes, lighting, as well as scents if you want to create a multi-sensory experience.
Google Home Mini on Amazon - Image Source: goliveexplore.com
2. Unique and Memorable Experience
As the saying goes, first impressions matter. Seeing a pop-up dome for the first time is a memorable experience for anybody, as its striking design and sheer size create a sense of wonder. Combined with indoor video mapping, you’re guaranteed to leave a positive and long-lasting impression on guests.
Creating a unique and exciting experience for visitors has multiple benefits. Not only will they leave the event with your brand at the forefront of their minds, but they’ll also have the natural inclination to mention it as a highlight when talking with friends and family, creating some word-of-mouth buzz around your brand.
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3. Works Indoors and Outdoors
As each pop-up dome is a unique activation, it’s scalable to any event size. For indoor events, a small to medium-sized mobile dome is the perfect way to separate your brand’s space from the rest. This can make your designated area feel like a breakaway from the main event, and even serve as an area that’s exclusive to VIPs.
Events hosted outdoors are no trouble either. Because of their rigidity, pop-up domes are great for safeguarding against the elements if the weather decides to take a turn. Equipped with temperature control, you can easily adjust the environment to keep your guests comfortable.
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4. Enhanced Demonstrations
The benefit of a pop-up dome with indoor projection is that you have endless possibilities in how you showcase your brand’s main product or service. While you can still use traditional screens inside the dome, the addition of indoor projection allows you to maximize the use of the space. It can perfectly tie together the aesthetic that you’ve cultivated for your brand using your brand’s specific colors and style.
Taking it a step further, you can use 360-degree projection to present content that is (a) visible to the entire audience, and (b) highly immersive. This works by using a multi-projector setup to play 360-degree video on the interior of the dome. You can create custom-rendered animations of your product to give guests a closer look, or even just add some visuals that serve as a creative backdrop.
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5. Captures Attention, Inside and Outside
A pop-up dome inherently invokes curiosity once it comes into view. It’s hard to miss a large dome-like structure on the horizon, as it stands out above most other traditional types of venue setups. Some installations even overshadow neighboring buildings.
These domes are also appealing for photo opportunities, especially on social media. Guests can snap a selfie in or around the dome and encourage engagement on platforms like Facebook, TikTok, and Instagram. Better yet, you can create some really fascinating backdrops for photos using projection mapping inside the dome.
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See Some Ways Pop-up Domes Have Been Used
Not completely convinced whether a pop-up dome is the right choice for you? Check out some previous activations that we’ve facilitated, ranging from a 30-foot pop-up geodesic dome to the world’s largest projection dome, capable of housing 60,000 guests.
360-Degree Journey to the Dominican Republic in Times Square, NYC
We built a 30-foot geodesic dome in the heart of Times Square, NYC. It acted as a way to transport visitors into the vibrant world of the Dominican Republic. On the outside, the pop-up dome was hand-painted by popular Dominican artists, showcasing a colorful display of the nation’s rich artistic history. Once you go inside, the dome is transformed into a lush, tropical setting through the use of 360-degree projection. Guests could try their hand at cigar rolling, eat some authentic Dominican cuisine, and experience captivating performances. The event ran for several days, drawing large crowds and receiving praise from the country’s Minister of Tourism.
Dominican Republic Ministry of Toursism Pop-Up Dome
Jeep’s 4D Pop-up Theater at the Winter X-Games
We created an immersive, 4D-like experience for Jeep at the 2019 and 2020 X-Games. This experience simulated the thrill of driving a Jeep Wrangler Rubicon. Inside the 30-foot geodesic dome, there were 18 motion-activated and heated leather seats designed to replicate the feel of driving it yourself. Inside was a seamless 260-degree projection system powered by ten 5K HD laser projectors, complete with a 5.1 Adam audio sound system. Over the two years, nearly 5,000 guests visited this cutting-edge theater experience.
Jeep 4D Immersive Experience
World’s Largest Projection Dome: A Nightclub Like No Other
AG Entertainment brought us on to design and execute the world’s largest projection dome in downtown Miami to host an immersive nightclub experience. That’s right – even the largest projection dome in the world was a pop-up experience. This massive dome, measuring 225 x 175 feet, captivated over 60,000 attendees across three days with performances by renowned rappers and musicians. Lumen & Forge managed the entire project, from the dome’s design and construction to the setup of AV equipment, lighting, and seating. The 24 HD laser projectors inside the pop-up dome displayed custom 4K visuals across 40,000 square feet of screen space.
World's Largest Projection Dome
Start Your Pop-up Dome Project Today
With nearly endless possibilities for customization and the ability to create an unforgettable experience, getting a pop-up dome for your next event is guaranteed to turn heads. Lumen & Forge offers turnkey projection dome services, handling everything from setting up the dome to creating the content itself. Curious to learn more about pop-up domes and how you can make them work for your brand or business? Get in touch today and we can help you bring your projection dome idea into reality.
