The Sleek Journal: October Edition
Oh, hi there! Welcome back to the Sleek Journal, the spot where we share all the interesting and influential things that inspire us here at Sleek HQ.
For the tenth month, it’s tech month. This October, we’re excited by how technology can drive event immersion and engagement. We also drop in on the social scene, opening the doors to Charli XCX’s H&M gig and Oktoberfest.
We hope you find these articles as interesting as we do. And, hey, if you’d like to capitalise on innovative tech at your next event, give us a shout.
The Cosm Experience: Shared Reality That’s Unreal
The Cosm Experience is a visual and audio experience designed to transport audiences into new worlds, blending reality and digital environments. It uses ultra-high resolution and advanced sound design to create 360-degree immersive experiences for sports, music, and entertainment.
This technology's potential in events is vast, enhancing audience engagement by surrounding them with interactive environments, offering unprecedented realism and immersion. Think of its applications in virtual concerts, sports events, and brand storytelling.
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Charli XCX’s H&M Gig: The Show That Set London on Fire
If you’re a fashion brand wanting to make a splash the night before London Fashion Week kicks off, what do you do? Well, if you’re H&M, you sponsor a Charli XCX gig, dress the artist and her dancers, and create a guest list that reads like a who’s who of celebrities.
This was the event that ensured hangovers for everyone attending Fashion Week’s first day, and that tested the waters for Charli XCX’s Sweat tour. Which, according to the frenzied crowd, and the two lucky Sleek team members who attended, will be epic.
Entirely clad in H&M, Charli proved high street fashion can work for any look. The show demonstrated the power of production design in creating a deep emotional connection with the audience.
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ITEC at London’s Science Museum: Experience Is Everything
The d&b Group has opened the Immersive Technology Experience Centre (ITEC) at the Science Museum in London. This centre is designed to showcase cutting-edge audio, video, lighting, and multimedia innovations.
The facility aims to put experiential marketing at the forefront of the industry. It not only details the exciting tech innovations both available and on the horizon, but aims to be a memorable experience in its own right.
Through features like projection mapping and soundscapes, the ITEC delivers an experience that forges emotional engagement. It even facilitates connections, featuring lounges for operations, discovery, and relaxation - one of which promotes client interaction.
Will the ITEC be the destination for experiential marketing that the d&b Group hopes it to be? Time will tell!
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Technology-Driven Artworks: The New Renaissance
Are pixels replacing paint? Not necessarily. But, we are seeing the rise of immersive art experiences, which blend digital technology, interactive installations, and physical environments to engage audiences in new, creative ways.
These exhibits immerse visitors in multi-sensory, participatory spaces. They allow audiences to experience art in more personal and memorable ways. And, because of this, the trend is gaining popularity.
For live events, this approach offers exciting potential to enhance audience engagement by transforming traditional venues into interactive, experiential spaces, fostering deeper connections with the content and creators.
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The Museum of Unnatural History: Less Bones, More Phones
Usually museums just display the past. But, Nokia’s Museum of Unnatural History showcased electronic history with a distinct overlay of future impact.
This pop-up event presented e-waste as artefacts, reimagining discarded tech like phones as ancient relics. It highlighted the growing problem of electronic waste and encouraged phone longevity and recycling.
Attendees could enter for free and wander through the exhibitions as the unwanted electronics inspired a thought-provoking narrative about consumption and waste and our complex relationship with technology.
From an events perspective, this showcase was incredibly evocatLearn moreive. It was an excellent example of how the use of space, lighting, and design can encapsulate the mood of an event and prompt audience engagement. But, it also highlighted our environmental responsibility to make tech-driven events as sustainable as possible.
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London’s Oktoberfest: Tradition in the Technological Age
As the evenings start to get longer and the temperatures drop, the rustic warmth of Oktoberfest beacons. But, in the tradition of German vorsprung, London’s offering of this classic festival is not without some progress.
The festival of course honours its roots, offering authentic German beer, mustard-drenched bratwurst, pretzels, and live Oompah bands, complete with cosy wooden bars and bench seating laden with lederhosen.
But, as the evening sets in, the energy ramps up. The tents transform into concert-level spectacles, delivering dramatic lighting, impressive sound, and pumping dancefloors. This blend of traditional beer hall and modern club is excellent for pushing progress, upping the engagement, and creating memorable experiences for anyone who attends.