Pop up experience for Patagonia
A Patagonia hub turning local outings into shared stories
Patagonia Action is a pop-up experience designed to bridge the gap between brand awareness and participation. Through gear borrowing, guided activities, and a community story display, the hub helps visitors engage directly with Patagonia’s values while introducing them to broader initiatives like Action Works and local environmental events.
Individual
8 weeks
Creative Retail Designer
Rhino, Blender, photoshop, Light room, Illustrator, physical frabrication
Patagonia’s purpose-driven brand resonates deeply, yet newer customers struggle to find their place in the movement.
How can we create more accessible pathways to help new customers transition from observers to active participants?
An activity hub where visitors can borrow Patagonia gear, join guided micro-adventures, and share their stories. It creates meaningful ways for the community to engage with the brand through real experiences, and not just products or information online. The hub also acts as a gateway to other Patagonia initiatives that inspire ongoing environmental action.
The pop-up will be located at South Side Works in Pittsburgh, a lively area known for its restaurants, shops, and scenic river trail. It’s a natural gathering place for people who bike, kayak, and explore the outdoors. The structure integrates the river into the experience, and future versions would adapt to local environments while maintaining the same spirit of connection and adventure.
Come Across the Patagonia Action Pop-Up in Pittsburgh’s South Side. A community hub that invites people to get outdoors, connect, and take part in local adventures.
Step inside the tent to find different booths highlighting activities like kayaking, biking, and climbing. Visitors can move through the space, learn about each option, and choose which one they’d like to try.
Each booth plays real footage of people in action, helping visitors picture the experience. Gear and personal items fill the surrounding shelves, creating an glimpse into each activity before signing up. When ready, participants can review a short consent form, choose a time slot, receive a quick route briefing, and pick up their wristband.
At the center of the tent, a community table invites visitors to explore how Patagonia’s mission extends beyond the pop-up. Hanging signs highlight Action Works initiatives and local events across Pittsburgh, while a city map shows where future activities will take place.
At their activity spot, participants meet a volunteer lead—someone deeply connected to the sport and the local landscape. After a quick check-in and safety prep, the adventure begins. Along the way, the lead documents moments that capture the experience.
After the activity, participants return to the main tent to visit the photo kiosk. By scanning their wristband, they can view and select photos captured during their adventure.
Photos are printed on reusable fabric from Patagonia’s Worn Wear program. It becomes a sustainable takeaway that reflects the brand’s commitment to reusing and reducing waste while serving as a personal reminder of the experience.
Students
Young professionals
Outdoor enthusiast
Aged 18–35
Local regulars who’ll try new outdoor activities or bring friends
Individuals and families near the site
A glimspe of the process! This project involved researching into patagonia’s brand and exploring how its values could come alive through space and storytelling. I experimented a lot across both digital and physical mediums. From sketching ideas, modeling forms in 3D, and building scaled prototypes to test how people might move and interact within the space. The process spanned concept design, moodboarding, and storyboarding to shape the narrative, as well as refining layout and flow.
This project has been one of my favorite one so far because I’ve always wanted to design a branded pop-up experience. It really pushed me to think about how a brand’s story can translate into a spatial experience. Through brand research, insight finding, refining user journeys, and practicing client-facing presentations, I grew a lot as a designer. It taught me how to balance storytelling and audience engagement, and on the more chaotic side... I learned how to sew for the first time and built a tent model in two days, which felt a little ridiculous but also very fun!
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