Creative Direction | Environmental Design | Experience Design | Client-Facing Strategy
Event: Cities of the Future Conference 2019
Location: Palais Brongniart, Paris, France
Event: Cities of the Future Conference 2019
Location: Palais Brongniart, Paris, France
SITUATION
In a screen-saturated world where digital noise overwhelms human connection, HSBC set out to create a bold new space for dialogue. The Cities of the Future Conference in Paris invited global leaders, innovators, and decision-makers to explore how data, technology, and urban transformation could empower meaningful progress—and how businesses can lead in this new era of connection. The challenge: transform the venue into a smart, human-centered environment that made these abstract futures feel tangible, inspiring, and emotionally engaging.
In a screen-saturated world where digital noise overwhelms human connection, HSBC set out to create a bold new space for dialogue. The Cities of the Future Conference in Paris invited global leaders, innovators, and decision-makers to explore how data, technology, and urban transformation could empower meaningful progress—and how businesses can lead in this new era of connection. The challenge: transform the venue into a smart, human-centered environment that made these abstract futures feel tangible, inspiring, and emotionally engaging.
TASK
As part of the core creative team, I was responsible for leading the experience design, environmental concept, and creative storytelling of the conference. Our goal was to translate HSBC’s global vision of smarter, more connected cities into a physical journey that resonated with every attendee—from policy makers to entrepreneurs and executives.
As part of the core creative team, I was responsible for leading the experience design, environmental concept, and creative storytelling of the conference. Our goal was to translate HSBC’s global vision of smarter, more connected cities into a physical journey that resonated with every attendee—from policy makers to entrepreneurs and executives.
ACTION
• Creative Strategy: Developed the overarching concept, Smarter Connections, anchoring the narrative in the idea that technology is only meaningful when it enhances human interaction.
• Environmental Design: Led the design thinking for the venue transformation, incorporating architectural storytelling, spatial branding, and modular design to support multiple content formats.
• Interactive Zones: Designed immersive touchpoints across the experience like the Data Heart centerpiece, where live data visualizations pulsed in rhythm with the flow of the day, and the Human Connection Lounge, a serene analog space for reflection and real conversations.
• Client-Facing Collaboration: Worked closely with HSBC’s senior stakeholders and cross-functional agency teams to align on messaging, brand expression, and guest experience strategy.
• Wayfinding & Signage: Directed a cohesive visual system that enhanced intuitive navigation, balancing futuristic aesthetics with cultural sensitivity and elegance.
• Creative Strategy: Developed the overarching concept, Smarter Connections, anchoring the narrative in the idea that technology is only meaningful when it enhances human interaction.
• Environmental Design: Led the design thinking for the venue transformation, incorporating architectural storytelling, spatial branding, and modular design to support multiple content formats.
• Interactive Zones: Designed immersive touchpoints across the experience like the Data Heart centerpiece, where live data visualizations pulsed in rhythm with the flow of the day, and the Human Connection Lounge, a serene analog space for reflection and real conversations.
• Client-Facing Collaboration: Worked closely with HSBC’s senior stakeholders and cross-functional agency teams to align on messaging, brand expression, and guest experience strategy.
• Wayfinding & Signage: Directed a cohesive visual system that enhanced intuitive navigation, balancing futuristic aesthetics with cultural sensitivity and elegance.
RESULT
• The event brought together more than 300 top-tier global business leaders, urbanists, and technologists, setting a new standard for intelligent brand environments.
• HSBC was widely recognized for shifting from a corporate sponsor to a thought leadership enabler, positioning itself at the forefront of smart city dialogue.
• The immersive experience increased audience engagement, dwell time, and session participation, creating a model for future HSBC thought leadership events across Europe and Asia.
• The event brought together more than 300 top-tier global business leaders, urbanists, and technologists, setting a new standard for intelligent brand environments.
• HSBC was widely recognized for shifting from a corporate sponsor to a thought leadership enabler, positioning itself at the forefront of smart city dialogue.
• The immersive experience increased audience engagement, dwell time, and session participation, creating a model for future HSBC thought leadership events across Europe and Asia.
WHY IT MATTERED
Cities of the Future wasn’t just a conference it was a vision made real. By humanizing technology and showcasing the power of urban innovation, we helped HSBC step into a new role: not just a bank, but a partner in global transformation. This project demonstrated how experience design can move beyond aesthetics, becoming a strategic tool to build brand relevance, community trust, and long-term positioning in a fast-changing world.
