A deeply immersive retail experience designed for Pop Mart’s limited edition Skullpanda: You Found Me series. Located at 430 7th Ave, New York, this pop-up transformed a retail footprint into a mysterious, narrative-driven environment from Oct 2025 to Jan 2026. Collaborating with an LA-based agency and Pop Mart’s team in China, I served as the lead 3D Experience Designer, taking the project from initial concept to final visualization for construction.
Role: 3D Experience Design, Graphic Visualization, Environment Design.
Tools: 3ds Max, Photoshop.
Location: Remote (Karachi) →→ Site (New York City).
The Concept & Experience:
The design creates a curated journey of discovery, utilizing a modern, monochromatic red draping system to unify the space. Rather than hiding the zones, the draping acts as a bold visual anchor that guides visitors into three distinct, immersive vignettes:
- The Hero Spaces: Three immersive vignettes designed around specific dolls:
- Darkness: A cosmic, infinite void utilizing mirrors and starry lighting.
- Pranky Peanut: A textual, organic space overflowing with 3D modeled peanut shells.
- Chomp: A retro-futuristic diner setting with neon accents and mood lighting.
- The “You Found Me” Wall: A custom feature wall housing six intricate dioramas, inviting visitors to peek into the miniature worlds of the collectible figures.
The Process & Challenges:
- The Pivot: The initial brief called for a classical “Old Theater” aesthetic. However, midway through the design phase, the creative direction shifted to a “Modernized Flat Draping” concept. I rapidly iterated on the geometry and cloth simulations to meet the new modern-industrial vibe without missing the tight construction deadline.
- Global Collaboration: Working from Karachi, I aligned with the LA client’s time zone to ensure real-time feedback loops. This allowed for rapid “redlining” sessions where we refined the layout, lighting, and “You Found Me” wall mechanics overnight.
- Technical Details: A major focus was placed on texture fidelity—specifically the fur simulation for the dolls and the specific fabric sheen of the red drapes to ensure the renders matched the physical materials available in NYC.
