Business Need

In a vibrant collaboration to enliven the heart of Washington DC’s Union Station, we were tasked with crafting and delicately folding 58 airplanes destined to soar as part of a captivating art installation. Our mission was twofold: to ensure that the Delta message elegantly graced the base and globe of each plane while infusing them with a playful, whimsical spirit. Each aircraft was to symbolize a different nation, demanding that its folded form reveal the beauty of each flag from both above and below.

Solution

The airplanes took flight, anchored by sturdy metal rods, while we embarked on a creative journey with over 30 varieties of paper, experimenting to capture unique visual effects. After numerous folding techniques, we discovered a design that not only showcased the flag from all angles but was also simple to execute. While we initially considered painting the flags, we quickly realized that printing would save time and resources, leading to a more efficient process for our whimsical fleet.

Original 3D model representations

Production and Installation

The flag files we received presented a fruitful challenge, as we needed to intricately crop and edit each design in Photoshop. This meticulous process ensured that when we folded the flags into their airplane forms, both sides would perfectly showcase the flag’s identity. Behold the vibrant tapestry of flags, each carefully curated for this inspiring project! A total of 58 unique flags emerged from our creative templates, each folded with utmost precision to guarantee flawless alignment. When transformed into their colorful airplane shapes, these flags united in perfect harmony, allowing viewers from above and below to easily recognize the spirit of each nation they represent.