UPO

As Lead Designer, I was responsible for the full creative direction and user experience of the event:

• Look & Feel: Defined the visual identity of the virtual space, blending realism with Unity’s brand personality
• UX Design: Crafted intuitive flows for navigation, interaction, and content discovery
• 3D Design: Oversaw modeling and layout of the NYSE digital twin, ensuring spatial clarity and visual fidelity
• Motion & Interaction: Directed animations and interactive elements to create a sense of presence and celebration

I worked closely with engineers, producers, and stakeholders from both Unity and the NYSE to ensure the experience was technically sound, emotionally resonant, and on-brand.

The Challenge

In the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, Unity was preparing to go public. But with lockdowns in place, the traditional in-person IPO celebration at the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) was no longer possible.

The CEO had a bold vision he wanted to make this moment unforgettable and he wanted to include entire Unity team.

We were tasked with creating a virtual IPO experience that would bring thousands of employees together to celebrate this historic milestone, remotely, in real time.

The Solution

Inspired by Unity’s core values, Go Bold and In It Together, we partnered with the NYSE to design a first-of-its-kind virtual IPO ceremony.

Key Features:

• A digital twin of the NYSE trading floor, built in Unity for an immersive, real-time experience
• A live stream of the IPO bell-ringing ceremony embedded directly into the virtual space
• A virtual “signature wall” where employees could leave their mark
• A shared bell-ringing moment, where everyone could ring the virtual bell together
• User-submitted videos from employees around the world, sharing what Unity meant to them, woven into the experience as a tribute to the team

This wasn’t just a livestream, it was a shared, interactive celebration that brought the entire company together.

Results

• First-ever virtual IPO of its kind, widely celebrated across the tech and finance industries
• Massive employee engagement, with thousands participating live
• Media coverage from major outlets highlighting the innovation of the event
• Ongoing partnership with the NYSE to design future virtual IPO experiences for other companies
• Emotional impact. Employees felt seen, celebrated, and connected during a time of global isolation

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