Get Inspired! MTV Awards at South by Southwest Conference & Festivals
NYC-based Diadeis created the graphics for the MTV 2017 Woodies Awards during SXSW.
The Austin-based South by Southwest (SXSW) Conference & Festivals celebrate the convergence of the interactive, film and music industries. Probably one of the biggest and most hyped up parties of SXSW is the MTV Woodie Awards. The event spotlights some of this year's best up and coming artists, and who you can expect to top the charts in 2017.
For this year’s MTV 2017 Woodies Awards, NYC-based Diadeis exercised its creative muscle and worked with Viacom International to provide many of the graphic assets for its March 16th party.
“This was a large undertaking, requiring numerous different elements of production to ensure a safe, sound and impact filled design,” says Ken Madsen, executive vice president, global strategy, Diadeis. “Diadeis wanted to be certain to give both the live audience — and those viewed by millions on TV — the ‘wow factor’ they have come to expect each year at this event.”
The main stage and scaffolding required the attaching of 147 mesh, 8’x8’x10’ triangular, double sided prints, which had been printed on the company's EFI VUTEk GS5000r. These prints were attached with bungee cords wound through the grommetted edges of the mesh prints and then secured around the metal frames of the stage structure. Various clamps were used in addition to secure the prints to the structure as well, which measured over 50' high. During the live event, the static print pieces were enhanced with lasers and lights, making the stage even more dynamic.
In order to make sure the event and installation went off without a hitch, Diadeis created a prototype here in NYC to ensure sizing and durability were at the necessary specifications. After several versions, Diadeis was able to produce graphics that exactly matched the specifications and the expectations of the client.
Mesh was used both due to its ability for high quality color saturation, opacity for double sided prints as well as the fact that it can withstand the sometimes "unruly" weather elements that can occur it an outdoor event such as the SXSW (i.e. heavy rains, wind). The mesh prints required a four-day installation period prior to the live event. An on-site project manager oversaw all aspects of the project across seven-days. Additionally, Diadeis also produced other collateral for the event including long list boards, cut outs, posters and flyers.
According to Madsen, the outcome was nothing less than spectacular and MTV, the audience and all involved were thrilled.
- People:
- Ken Madsen
- Places:
- Austin
- NYCNEW YORK CITY
- Texas
Denise Gustavson is the Editorial Director and Special Projects Editor for the Printing & Packaging Group, which includes Printing Impressions, packagePRINTING, In-plant Graphics and Wide-Format Impressions magazines, among other brands. She is also the Editor-in-Chief of Wide-Format Impressions.
