LIKES:
Pizza with hot honey, Kit Kat Chunkys, mimosa flowers

DISLIKES:
Mushrooms, football, waiting longer than 4 minutes for a tube (yes, I’m impatient)

Jess, what’s inspired you recently?

The Paris 2024 Olympics have truly transformed how sport, culture, and art can intersect, leaving a lasting impression on viewers across the world.

As a 3D designer, I’m constantly on the lookout for fresh, innovative ways brands approach customer engagement and break the mould of traditional retail experiences. The Games were a masterclass in this, showcasing creativity and boldness that really resonated with me.

Here are four of some of my standout examples that beautifully illustrate how brands in Paris 2024 wove these elements together perfectly.

The Nike Skate Park at the Pompidou was one of the best branding moments of the Games. Nike didn’t just create a skate park; they teamed up with artist Raphael Zarka and architect Jean-Benoît Vétillard to craft a vibrant experience that blended sport, art, and the city’s culture without pushing product at the forefront.

The way they transformed this iconic spot into a skater’s playground, using the Pompidou’s vast facade to project content of athletes and modern art seen across the city of Paris, felt like a natural extension of Paris itself. It was a perfect example of how a brand can engage the public by creating meaningful, culturally integrated experiences.

Omega, the official timekeepers of the Olympics since 1932, has truly elevated the fan experience with their innovative pop-ups.

Their latest series of immersive installations brought guests right into the heart of the brand’s legacy. One standout feature is the Race of Champions experience, where visitors can test their sprinting skills on a 10m running track.

Participants start in real starting blocks within a stadium simulation and digitally race against Olympic or Paralympic athletes. Guests could receive a video of their performance, which they can share on social media, making the experience both interactive and offering an immersive glimpse into an athlete’s life.

This summer of sport has inspired the world to lace up their trainers and get active, making eyewear a standout piece of sports style this year. Oakley tapped into this trend with their pop-up, “The Oakley Exoplanetary Bunker,” at the Palais Brongniart.

Rather than focusing on product retail, Oakley created an immersive retreat that showcased nearly 50 years of the brand’s rebellious history. I particularly love how the brutalist-inspired space featured a museum section detailing its evolution, an innovation area with interactive displays, and educational experiences that connected visitors with the brand’s cutting-edge technology.

Lastly, we can’t discuss the Paris Olympics without giving a moment to Louis Vuitton, the visionary spirit of this year’s games.

Their ‘Victory Travels’ window on the Champs Elysee immediately inspired me from the moment I saw Faye Mcleod’s (LVMH’s Visual Image Director) Instagram post about the installation. I spent the following morning trawling the internet for pictures of the final masterpieces.

At the heart of these Window displays are kinetic sculptures that vividly capture the energy of the Olympic Games. Designed with incredible attention to detail, these sculptures gracefully mimic athletes’ movements, reflecting both the fluidity of sport and Louis Vuitton’s artistic mastery.