Pop Up Experience for Patagonia
Creating a low-friction first step into their action community.
Team
Duration
Role
Tools
Individual
8 weeks
Brand Experience Designer
Blender, Rhino, Photoshop, Lightroom, Illustrator, physical fabrication
OBJECTIVE
Patagonia’s mission attracts people who align with its values, yet many don’t know how to turn that alignment into a first step. Patagonia offers pathways like Patagonia Action Works and community events, yet they’re often easiest to navigate for those already connected to environmental communities.

How might we design a first-time experience that makes participation clear and repeatable?
SOLUTION
Patagonia Action: A Patagonia hub turning local outings into shared stories
This experience reduces friction at the starting point and frames action as something anyone can start—without prior experience or an existing community.
‍
USER FLOW
FOLLOWING ONE JOURNEY: KAYAK
1. Bringing the experience to the city
Patagonia cargo bikes visits campuses and downtown to promote and encourage pre-registration.
2. Discover it naturally in South Side, Pittsburgh
3. Walk around & discover what activities are offered
Step into the tent to explore booths for kayaking, biking, and climbing.
4. Sign up for an activity and receive a wristband
Each booth displays gear and activity-specific items to make the experience feel more immersive. When they’re ready, visitors choose a time slot and pick up a wristband.
5. Gear up and have fun!
Participants meet a volunteer lead, scan in, gear up, get a short safety briefing, and head out while the lead captures photos.
6. Scan Wristband to View & Select Photos
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.
7. Explore the action map and sign up for more Local activities & upcoming programs
A community table highlights Action Works and local Pittsburgh events, with QR codes to sign up.
8. Printed Memory to Bring Home
Photos are printed on reusable Worn Wear fabric, and serves as a personal reminder of the experience.
VISITOR FLOW
The space takes inspiration from the shape of the Patagonia logo and is divided into three main areas
INITIAL RESEARCH
The first phase of this project focused on understanding Patagonia at its core—including its tone of voice, audience, mission, competitors, and customer touchpoints—in order to identify a clear opportunity for a pop-up experience.
full research can be found here
SKETCHING AND CONCEPTING
I experimented with the pop up form and mapped how people would move and interact throughout the space. I focused on carrying Patagonia’s brand voice through each moment while keeping the experience intuitive and memorable.
USER JOURNEY
CORE PRINCIPLES
AUDIENCE
Primary
Students
Young professionals
Outdoor enthusiast
Aged 18–35
Secondary
Local regulars who’ll try new outdoor activities or bring friends
Other
Individuals and families near the site
SITE SELECTION
South Slide Works, Pittsburgh, PA
A lively area known for its restaurants, shops, and scenic river trail. It’s a already 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.
SCALE MODEL
REFLECTION
This project has been one of my favorite one so far. 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!
↑