Wabash College's Glowing Branded Displays

The Challenge

Wabash College was gearing up for a major campus event and needed something beyond the usual banners and signs. The events team was stuck - how could they create an atmosphere that would wow attendees while keeping their branding front and center? With barely two weeks until the big day, they needed a solution fast. Traditional signage just wasn't going to cut it this time.

Why Lightboxes?

After exploring several options, the team fell in love with our LED spheres. These weren't just any lights - they're a perfect blend of form and function. No messy cords to trip over (the spheres are fully rechargeable), eye-catching from any angle, and best of all? They could be customized with the college's logo. The remote control feature was the cherry on top, letting the team switch colors on the fly to match the event's energy as the night progressed.

From Concept to Reality

Talk about a quick turnaround! The entire process - from "we need something special" to "they're here!" - took just 10 days. We sent over mockups showing exactly how the Wabash logo would look when illuminated. After a bit of back-and-forth about logo size (bigger is better!), the event team pulled the trigger on ten 6-inch (15cm) spheres. We hustled on production and shipped everything with plenty of days to spare before the deadline.

The Impact

When the spheres arrived and were switched on for the first time, the effect was stunning. The Wabash College logo literally glowed on two sides of each sphere, creating an almost magical atmosphere. Gone was the corporate event vibe that comes with pull-up banners and foam boards. Instead, the space felt sophisticated and intentionally designed, like walking into a high-end product launch rather than a college function.

These glowing orbs transformed an ordinary campus space into something special. Attendees couldn't help but notice the Wabash branding as they mingled - it was subtly everywhere without being in-your-face. The event team had a blast playing with different color options throughout the night, switching from the college's traditional scarlet during the welcome speech to a cool blue during networking. Several guests even snapped photos of the setup for their own event inspiration.

Standing Out

Let's face it - most campus events blend together in people's memories. Not this one. In a sea of cookie-cutter events with the same old pop-up banners and table runners, Wabash College broke the mold. The spheres created a talking point and photo opportunity that traditional signage simply can't match. 

Tips for Your Events

Want to steal this idea for your next event? Here's what we learned:

• Lighting isn't just functional - it's a branding goldmine that most people overlook.
• Ditch the cords! Our lights are all rechargeable to give you the freedom to create the perfect layout.
• Think 360° - make sure your branding is visible no matter where people are standing.
• Play with color throughout your event to keep the energy fresh and match the mood.

Product Details

• 6-inch (15cm) LED spheres with the Wabash logo printed on two sides.
• Quantity: A set of 10 created the perfect effect for a medium-sized event space.
• Tech specs: Each sphere runs for 8 hours on a single charge and comes with 16-color options selectable from the included remote.
• Built to last: Made from virtually indestructible PE plastic (not fragile acrylic).

Looking for lighting that matches your brand's personality? We specialize in creating displays that tell your story.

FAQ

What types of campus events work best with illuminated sphere displays?

These work exceptionally well for alumni gatherings, fundraising galas, campus tours, graduation celebrations, and special campus ceremonies where you need to create memorable experiences. Just like the Wabash College event in this case study, they're perfect when traditional banners and signs won't create the sophisticated atmosphere your institution deserves. Donor appreciation events, prospective student showcases, and milestone celebrations especially benefit because the displays transform ordinary campus spaces into something truly special.

How do these help elevate campus events beyond typical college function aesthetics?

Most campus events rely on standard pull-up banners and foam boards that create a predictable, corporate meeting room vibe. Illuminated spheres completely change the atmosphere, making spaces feel more like high-end product launches or sophisticated galas. This elevation in visual presentation shows that your institution values quality and innovation, which is crucial when hosting events for donors, prospective families, or distinguished alumni. The sophisticated atmosphere also makes attendees feel that their connection to your institution is special and valued, which is crucial for ongoing relationship building.

What approvals do I need from campus administration for illuminated displays?

Most campus facilities departments appreciate that these displays require no electrical connections or permanent installations, which simplifies approval processes significantly. Since they're completely portable and don't affect building systems, they typically fall under standard event decoration rather than requiring special electrical or facilities permits. Always check with your campus events office, but the wireless nature eliminates most regulatory complications that other lighting solutions might create.

How do I coordinate with existing campus branding guidelines and marketing standards?

Campus marketing departments often have strict brand guidelines for logo usage, colors, and messaging. We work directly with your brand standards to ensure the illuminated displays meet institutional requirements for official logo reproduction and color accuracy. This includes matching official Pantone colors, proper logo scaling, and appropriate usage context that aligns with your institution's marketing and communications policies.

How do color-changing capabilities work for different types of campus stakeholder events?

Different campus audiences require different approaches - conservative, traditional colors for donor cultivation events, school spirit colors for alumni homecoming, and perhaps more dynamic options for student engagement activities. The remote control flexibility allows you to adapt the same displays for various institutional audiences throughout the year, making them versatile investments that work across your entire campus event calendar.

Is the investment worth it for educational institutions with budget considerations?

For institutions where donor relations, alumni engagement, and prospective student impressions directly impact fundraising and enrollment, the professional presentation can be mission-critical. These displays often pay for themselves by enhancing the success of a single major fundraising event. The lifetime guarantee and reusable nature mean they become permanent assets for your institution's event programming rather than recurring decoration expenses.

How do I handle campus security protocols and event safety requirements?

Campus safety offices typically appreciate the rounded, cordless design that eliminates trip hazards from power cables and reduces sharp edges that could cause injuries in crowded event spaces. The durable PE plastic construction handles the safety requirements that campus events often face, especially for events involving elderly alumni or families with children. Most campus security departments find them easier to manage than traditional signage that might require special mounting or electrical considerations.

How do I work with campus facilities and venue booking requirements?

Campus facilities departments often have specific requirements for event decorations and equipment. The cordless, standalone design means you don't need to coordinate with electrical services or worry about power outlet availability in older campus buildings. Most facilities teams appreciate that setup doesn't require any permanent installations or modifications to their spaces, making booking approvals much simpler.

What's different about planning for historic campus buildings versus modern facilities?

Historic campus buildings often have limited power access and restrictions on mounting or modifying architectural features. The wireless operation and freestanding design work perfectly in historic venues where electrical access might be limited or protected. Modern campus facilities typically have fewer restrictions, but the flexibility to position displays anywhere still provides significant advantages for optimizing your event layout.

How do I coordinate with multiple campus departments for large institutional events?

Large campus events often involve coordination between alumni relations, development, marketing, facilities, and security departments. The self-contained nature of these displays reduces interdepartmental coordination requirements since they don't need electrical, mounting, or special facilities support. This simplifies the planning process and reduces the number of approvals and logistics meetings required for successful event execution.

How do these work for outdoor campus events and varying weather conditions?

The PE plastic construction handles outdoor conditions much better than traditional paper or fabric signage, making them perfect for campus quad events, outdoor alumni gatherings, or graduation celebrations. The weather-resistant design means you don't have to worry about wind, light rain, or temperature changes that often affect campus outdoor events. The cordless operation also eliminates weather-related electrical concerns.

How easy is setup for busy campus event staff managing multiple responsibilities?

Setup is completely straightforward - just unpack, position, and turn on. No assembly, tools, or technical coordination required. This simplicity is crucial for campus event teams who are often managing multiple vendor relationships, catering coordination, and facility logistics simultaneously. Anyone on your events team can operate the remote controls without technical training or support.

Where should I position spheres for maximum impact at different types of campus events?

For alumni events, place them in entry areas and networking zones where they'll be visible in group photos. For donor functions, position them near recognition displays or presentation areas. For prospective student events, use them to highlight key campus messaging or program information. The wireless flexibility allows you to adapt positioning based on the specific goals and flow of each type of campus gathering.

How do I coordinate colors with existing campus branding and event themes?

Start with your institution's official colors for formal portions of events, then consider complementary colors for social periods. Many campus events coordinate with seasonal themes (homecoming colors, graduation ceremonial colors) or specific program branding. The remote control gives you flexibility to adjust throughout the event or match other decorative elements while maintaining consistent institutional branding.

What about storage and reuse across multiple campus events throughout the year?

Educational institutions typically host numerous events throughout the academic year, making reusable displays a smart investment. The durable construction handles regular transport between different campus venues, and the compact spherical design stores efficiently between events. Many institutions find they become signature elements of their event programming that alumni and donors specifically recognize and associate with quality institutional experiences.

How do I get started with custom campus event branding?

Just like the Wabash College events team in this case study, start by considering your most important upcoming events and which campus venues you'll be using. Fill out our online inquiry form with your institutional logo and event requirements, and we'll provide mockups showing exactly how your college or university branding will look when illuminated. The whole process takes just a few minutes to get started, and you'll have professional mockups to help plan your transformed campus event experience.