Designing a Heartfelt Experience

When people walk into a trade show, they expect booths, banners, and products. What they don’t always expect is to be moved, to be touched by something that goes beyond business. That is exactly what the Kidney Foundation Custom Display achieved. Positioned at the entrance of the event, this installation stopped people in their tracks—not with flashing lights or towering graphics, but with a deeply human message brought to life in art. Created for T3 Expo on behalf of the Kidney Foundation, the display was designed around a simple yet profound idea: turning attendees into participants in a living sculpture. Crafted to resemble two oversized kidneys, the display was not just an object to look at but a canvas waiting to be filled with meaning. Thousands of circular holes carved into the foam structure became receptacles for flowers, each one placed by an attendee. Over the course of the trade show, the sculpture transformed from a blank form into a vibrant, colorful symbol of life, growth, and community.

From Foam to Flourishing Art

The process of building the Kidney Foundation display began with materials that were both practical and versatile. Foam was chosen as the core medium, providing a lightweight structure that could be easily sculpted, shaped, and supported with an internal armature. Foam is often the unsung hero of large-scale displays, offering durability without the burden of excessive weight, making transportation and setup seamless. The kidneys were mounted on a circular base, which served not only as support but also as a canvas of its own. Vinyl graphics were applied to both the circular base and the top circle of the structure, ensuring the branding of the Kidney Foundation was clear and integrated seamlessly into the artistic vision. These graphics offered more than aesthetics; they grounded the sculpture in its purpose, tying together the symbolism of the organ with the mission of the organization.

What made the design so unique was the inclusion of approximately 3,000 circular holes, each evenly spaced across the kidneys. Sized perfectly to hold the stem of a flower, these openings turned the sculpture into a dynamic and interactive medium. Instead of being static, the kidneys were meant to evolve, slowly blossoming into something new as thousands of individuals contributed to its completion.

A Story Written in Flowers

The concept of using flowers as part of the display was both poetic and powerful. Flowers have long been symbols of beauty, life, and remembrance, and in this installation, they became a metaphor for growth, healing, and collective action. Each flower placed into the kidney structure represented an individual moment of participation, a tangible way for attendees to contribute to a cause larger than themselves. Trade shows are often crowded, fast-paced, and transactional. But the Kidney Foundation Custom Display offered something rare: an invitation to slow down. Attendees paused, selected a flower, and took part in an experience that was both personal and communal. With every flower added, the sculpture grew more vibrant, more alive. What started as bare foam evolved into a lush, colorful display—a visual reminder of the Kidney Foundation’s mission to support, heal, and inspire. The act of placing a flower also carried emotional weight. For some attendees, it was a gesture of solidarity. For others, it may have represented a loved one affected by kidney disease. This layering of personal meaning gave the sculpture a resonance far beyond its physical form. By the end of the event, the display wasn’t just a booth centerpiece; it was a living testament to the power of community and the importance of organ health.

Engineering Engagement at a Trade Show

Trade shows are notoriously competitive environments where every booth fights for attention. Standing out requires more than good branding—it requires strategy, design ingenuity, and interactive experiences. The Kidney Foundation Custom Display succeeded on all fronts. The structure’s size and shape naturally drew the eye, with the familiar kidney form sparking immediate recognition. Its placement at the entrance of the show maximized visibility, ensuring every attendee encountered it. But it wasn’t just about being noticed—it was about being remembered. The interactive element of placing flowers transformed passive observers into active participants. This act of engagement created a powerful sense of connection, making the display memorable long after the event ended.

From a logistical standpoint, the design had to accommodate thousands of interactions over multiple days. The foam kidneys, reinforced by their internal armature, offered durability while maintaining a lightweight footprint. The holes were carefully measured and tested to hold flower stems securely, preventing damage and ensuring the display’s integrity as it filled with blooms. The vinyl graphics on the base reinforced branding without overwhelming the artistic flow, keeping the focus on the flowers and the story they told.

Symbolism That Resonates

At its core, the Kidney Foundation Custom Display was about symbolism. The kidneys themselves were obvious, representing the organ at the heart of the foundation’s mission. But the deeper message came through the transformation of the display over time. The addition of flowers symbolized life, health, and renewal—concepts central to kidney health and transplantation.

The circular base further enhanced this symbolism. Circles have long been associated with wholeness, continuity, and community. By grounding the kidneys in a circular structure, the display subtly reinforced the idea of unity and collective support. Every flower placed into the kidney became part of a larger whole, echoing the way every donor, volunteer, and supporter contributes to the foundation’s mission. This combination of symbolism and interaction created a multi-layered narrative. Attendees didn’t just see a kidney-shaped display; they saw an evolving work of art, one that mirrored the hope and growth that the Kidney Foundation stands for.

Blending Art, Advocacy, and Impact

The beauty of the Kidney Foundation Custom Display lay in its ability to blend artistry with advocacy. On one level, it was a striking sculpture that caught the eye and invited engagement. On another level, it was a tool for education and awareness, reminding attendees of the importance of kidney health and the need for ongoing support and research.

This blending of art and advocacy amplified the display’s impact. Attendees were not only exposed to the Kidney Foundation’s mission but also became part of it. By physically placing a flower, they symbolically contributed to the growth and vitality of the cause. It’s one thing to read a pamphlet about kidney disease. It’s another to literally build a work of art that represents hope for those affected by it.

The success of the display can also be measured in its emotional impact. Attendees lingered longer, took photos, and shared their experiences on social media. The installation generated conversations, sparked curiosity, and created a sense of community. In an environment where most exhibits are designed to sell, this one succeeded by connecting.

A Lasting Impression of Hope

By the end of the trade show, the Kidney Foundation Custom Display had transformed completely. What began as a clean, sculpted foam structure became a vivid, living piece of art bursting with color and meaning. The thousands of flowers placed by attendees turned the display into a collective masterpiece, one that embodied the foundation’s mission in a way no banner or brochure ever could.

The lasting impression wasn’t just visual—it was emotional. Attendees left the event with a memory of having contributed to something larger than themselves. They didn’t just see the Kidney Foundation’s message; they felt it. That emotional connection is invaluable, turning casual observers into advocates, supporters, and donors.

For T3 Expo, who entrusted us with this project, the display was a testament to what can be achieved when creativity and purpose align. It wasn’t just about creating a booth; it was about creating an experience that lived in the minds and hearts of everyone who passed through the event.

Building the Future of Experiential Displays

The Kidney Foundation Custom Display points toward the future of experiential design in trade shows and events. The era of static booths is fading. Attendees now expect interaction, storytelling, and opportunities to participate. They want to feel something, to leave with more than a business card or a sample. This project demonstrates the power of merging tactile engagement with symbolic storytelling. It also showcases the versatility of materials like foam and vinyl when paired with visionary design. Moving forward, we can expect more displays that invite audiences to interact, contribute, and shape the narrative themselves. For the Kidney Foundation, the display was more than a temporary installation. It was a living metaphor for their mission, one that blossomed with every flower. For the attendees, it was an unforgettable moment of connection. And for the world of trade shows, it was a glimpse of what’s possible when creativity is paired with purpose.