So, you've dreamt up your perfect event design—and then you learn that the client wants their company or sponsor logos front and center.
Take a deep breath. This doesn't need to interrupt your vision! There are so many ways to integrate a logo without disrupting the experience. In fact, when done right, branded moments can actually enhance the decor and even serve as a creative photo op. The key, as with all-things events, is thinking about it intentionally.
"We never throw a logo on a decor element, just because,” explained Sarah Sebastian, owner and creative director of Rose Gold Collective, when asked about a logo-filled gathering she designed for 818 Tequila a couple of years ago. “Brandable moments should be thoughtful and feel like the brand's ethos.” When done right, she adds, “The branding [becomes] part of the design rather than logos taking over a space that [doesn't] feel authentic."
In that spirit, we've rounded up some recent events that integrated logos into the event decor in thoughtful—and often gorgeous—ways. Keep scrolling to get inspired...
Instagram’s Grammy Luncheon
During Grammys weekend in February 2020, Instagram threw a star-studded Grammys luncheon at Ysabel restaurant in West Hollywood. Celebrating women in music, the gathering featured a floral-filled photo op backed by a pretty-in-pink Instagram logo. It was produced by Crown & Conquer. See more: Grammys 2020: What You Missed at the Week's Coolest Parties
Photo: Anna Webber/Getty Images for Instagram/Facebook
Reddit Explorers Club at Cannes Lions
At Cannes Lions 2022 last June, Reddit drew attention with a custom-built clubhouse located just outside the convention center. The colorful, interactive Reddit Explorers Club aimed to help brands and marketers understand the power of Reddit and the influence of its most passionate communities. Guests were welcomed through a doorway cut in the shape of Snoo, the stylized alien head that serves as Reddit's logo. See more: Cannes Lions 2022: How Top Brands Drew Attention at the Jam-Packed Festival of Creativity
Photo: Courtesy of Reddit
Netflix Emmy Celebration
During Emmys weekend in September 2022, Netflix celebrated its top TV talent at LA's Milk Studios with a stylish soiree produced by Best Events. A large sculpture of a ribbon "N" logo made of acrylic panels was filled with neutral-colored florals—a mesmerizing contrast to the black carpeting that led attendees inside. See more: Emmys 2022: Inside Parties From Netflix, Disney, Paramount, and More
Photo: Tiffany Rose
818 Tequila's New York Launch
For the New York launch of Kendall Jenner’s 818 Tequila, Rose Gold Collective built a summery space that incorporated the brand's logo in subtle, stylish ways. Held in the Hamptons in August 2021, the event included floral installations that incorporated 818 Tequila shipping boxes, as well as photo ops like a branded vintage cab and the 818 logo made from sand. See more: 10 Subtle Branding Ideas From the Launch of Kendall Jenner's Tequila Brand
Photo: Sophie Sahara
Mastercard's Sonic Carnival
Also during Grammys week in 2020, Mastercard celebrated its first music single—”Merry Go Round,” performed by Swedish artist Nadine Randle—with a carnival-themed event produced by BMF. In addition to a claw machine with prizes, a merry-go-round, and a palm reader, the activation featured the Mastercard logo made out of stuffed bears in the company's iconic yellow and red colors. See more: Grammys 2020: What You Missed at the Week's Coolest Parties
Photo: Polk Imaging
YouTube Artist Lounge at Coachella
At Coachella in April 2022, the YouTube Artist Lounge featured a fun seating area inspired by the YouTube logo—complete with bright and colorful pillows and desert-inspired wall decor. It was designed and produced by MAS. See more: Coachella 2022: Peek Inside the Festival's Buzziest Parties & Brand Activations
Photo: Courtesy of MAS
Pandora Garden
Jewelry company Pandora touted its spring collection with a tech-driven event in New York in March 2019. To contrast the digital environment inside, the venue’s exterior was covered in foliage and greenery with a topiary version of Pandora's logo. The event was created by multimedia studio Moment Factory, while Abel McCallister Abel contributed to the production and build. See more: How Brands Are Using Motion-Capture Technology at Events
Photo: Bryan Bedder/Getty Images for Pandora
Absolut Planet at Coachella
While technically not a logo, Absolut is known for integrating its recognizable bottle shape into event decor. At its Coachella 2019 activation, for example, the brand promoted its focus on sustainability and diversity with a mix of greenery-filled and rainbow-colored spaces and photo ops that used the shape. MKG handled design and production. See more: Coachella 2019: See Inside the Biggest Parties and Brand Activations
Photo: Courtesy of Absolut
Cadillac Oscars Party
In 2020, Cadillac's annual Oscars party, designed and produced by Event Eleven, had floating leaves printed with the car company's logo. See more: Oscars 2020: Steal-Worthy Event Design Ideas From the Week's Most Stylish Parties
Photo: Line 8 Photography
Snapchat's VidCon Lounge
For its VIP lounge at VidCon in June 2018, Snapchat created a swing in the shape of its logo. The space was backed by a floral wall to encourage photo ops. See more: VidCon 2018: 26 Colorful Ways Brands Targeted Generation Z
Photo: Courtesy of Snapchat
Mercedes-Benz Oscars Viewing Party
Mercedes-Benz hosted its 2022 Academy Awards viewing party at the Four Seasons Los Angeles in Beverly Hills. Designed and produced by Sterling Social, the glamorous gathering took a bold, masculine, and sleek approach, with a tonal color palette of black, pewter, and slate gray. As a focal point, four suspended 4-foot Mercedes-Benz logos—adorned with textured greenery—functioned as faux chandeliers hanging overhead. See more: Oscars 2022: Event Highlights From the Week's Most Glamorous Gatherings
Photo: Clark Studio
Tequila Don Julio at Neon Carnival
At Neon Carnival during Coachella 2022, sponsor Tequila Don Julio grabbed attention with an oversized, succulent-filled version of its logo, produced by NVE Experience Agency. See more: Coachella 2022: Peek Inside the Festival's Buzziest Parties & Brand Activations
Photo: Jerod Harris for Getty Images
Target and Honest Company Partnership Anniversary Event
In April 2015, the Honest Company and Target hosted an event in celebration of their partnership anniversary. AGENC Experiential produced and designed the gathering at the Lombardi House in Hollywood, where logos from the two companies were worked into the design in subtle but stylish ways. In one area, a flower-decked bicycle that served as Instagram bait for guests bore a small—but recognizable—Target bullseye logo within its wheels. Elsewhere in the space, there were also tire swings adorned with flowers and logos hanging from the trees.
Photo: Alesandra Dubin/BizBash
Warner Music Group's Pre-Grammy Celebration
Warner Music Group incorporated a creative, photo op-worthy logo design into its Grammys 2020 event, which had a 1970s theme and a color palette of golds and neutral colors. The gathering was produced by Jason Morais, Warner Music’s senior vice president of global events, with Gina Wade Creative. See more: Grammys 2020: What You Missed at the Week's Coolest Parties
Photo: John Linden Photography
Meta Beach at Cannes Lions
At Cannes Lions 2022, Meta Beach brought together all of Meta’s brands in one space for the first time for education sessions, daily workshops, experiential activations, and of course, plenty of Instagrammable moments. The main panel area featured an oversized, 3D version of the Meta logo that doubled as an interesting sculptural installation. The Meta team worked with Jack Morton on the activation. See more: Cannes Lions 2022: How Top Brands Drew Attention at the Jam-Packed Festival of Creativity
Photo: Luke Hayes
Adam Lippes for Target Preview Event
At the Adam Lippes for Target preview event, held in August 2015 in New York, David Stark Design & Production brought the designer's buffalo plaid-inspired collection to life with a fall-inspired event. Two Target bullseye topiaries decorated the pool area, naturally integrating into the gathering's cozy fall picnic vibe. See more: How to Throw a Plaid Picnic
Photo: Courtesy of LaForce & Stevens
LaCroix Activation at Coachella
At Create & Cultivate's Desert Pop-Up during Coachella 2019, sponsor LaCroix created a photo booth made from the brand's colorful packaging. See more: Coachella 2019: 6 Design Trends to Steal for Your Next Event
Photo: Claire Hoffman/BizBash
94th Academy Awards Red Carpet
For the Academy Awards' 94th annual red carpet, the Academy opted for a vibrant color scheme of deep reds and blues on the red carpet at the 2022 Oscars last March. The bold florals contrasted with the Academy logo, which was made from white cutouts for a fun, subtle touch. See more: Oscars 2022: Event Highlights From the Week's Most Glamorous Gatherings
Photo: Matt Sayles/A.M.P.A.S.
