On Saturday, May 9th, 2020, an excommunicated member of the mafia known as The Viper is bringing together 50 of the most dangerous members of the Russian and American underworlds to reclaim his violent birthright.

As the founding members of the deadly “Red Circle”, guests will be initiated into the family with a tattoo branding ceremony and treated to a wide variety of luxury services at The Fermenting Cellar. After enjoying the complementary cigar, shave, and shoe shine services, guests will be seated at a long banquet table where they will enjoy an elaborate 5 course meal made of a menu that is equal parts grotesque and opulent.

With decor reminiscent of an antique curiosity cabinet or the catacombs under Venice, guests will have no way of knowing when The Viper will strike.

Problem: proposed centrepiece was not possible given the allotted time and budget

Solution: redirect the vision of the centrepiece without compromising its original vision and intention. By refocusing on what the centrepiece was supposed to accomplish at the event, I was able to imagine and propose a centrepiece that would not only achieve a similar effect but was also possible given the scope of the project

Problem: required elements (such as a table number and menus on the table) are not appropriate for the proposed client and event

Solution: use these pieces to draw guests into the intrigue of the table. With so many unexpected elements in one place, these pieces of collateral became tools for helping others understand the context of other central elements of my design

1. Passion trumps practicality

Even though some of my design choices were a bit unorthodox, I was determined to deliver a proposal that spoke to who I am as a designer — not what others might expect or want to see. This gave my proposal a fresh sense of authenticity I wouldn’t have had otherwise, and allowed me to deliver something I am incredibly proud of.

2. Mixed medias add unique dimensions of design

The decision to include macrame chair garlands added a unique texture to my tabletop decision, drawing every element of each place setting deeper into the story.
Combining both dried and live florals added another layer of life to a table under threat of feeling too dreary and macabre as opposed to luxurious and alluring.

3. Leave your audience clues to paint the bigger picture

By creating a client with such a layered, complicated backstory, my table ran the risk of being either overwhelming or unclear to those who didn’t have any context. Small elements like the “wanted” place cards and printed menus ensured that everyone understood my client’s backstory and insidious nature.

4. The first solution isn’t necessarily the best solution

When I realized I wouldn’t be able to deliver the centrepiece I had originally proposed, I was extremely discouraged. It felt like all of the hard work I had done to convince people that my vision would succeed was wasted. However, I also realized that I didn’t have time to dwell and that a new solution had to be reached.

By shifting my mindset, I was able to re-approach the problem with a clear head that focused on what I wanted to achieve, not what I had already fallen in love with. The end result is ultimately something I’m equally proud of which would not have been possible had I not been willing to redirect.

Complete list of project deliverables:

• Client pitch (with judging panel)

• Client proposal (including full video walkthrough, invitation, menu, and other supporting graphics)

• Venue site inspection

• Event floor plan (built in AllSeated)

• Event concept board

• Event flow (built in ShoFlo)

• Event budget

• Event documentation video (hosted on YouTube)