The first striking impression of the Joy Awards was directly on arrival, where a golden entrance portal punctuated an expansive green wall, firmly establishing the visual identity of the event. 

Guests were then taken through corridors of greenery that faded into infinite mirrors, past shining concentric stages and into the curved ‘glambot’ area for dramatic slow-motion photography.

Inspired by the circular paths of stars seen clearly in the Saudi desert’s night sky, our design was a series of golden arcs hung throughout the theatre with their concentric energy emanating from centre-stage.

More than 450 square metres of golden fabric was stretched over aluminum frames to create these arcs, resulting in the impression of monolithic objects floating weightlessly above the audience. These golden curves and the grand steps at the stage apron were edged in light, with glowing orbs and rods also dispersed throughout the room.

An entirely new stage deck was built around the existing venue stage, with a new set of curved steps created at the downstage edge for award winners and VIPs to access the main stage from the audience. Golden detailing was inset into the decking to continue the profile of the steps up onto the stage.

An offstage tunnel was created for host and performer entrances, echoing the circular energy of the main stage. The LED screen at the back of this space continued the tunnel as content. Scenic golden curves with LED edging were also hung onstage, continuing the language of the room past the proscenium and blurring the line between the stage and the audience.