Overview
The Smash Design team had an absolute blast creating four massive sculptures built to welcome visitors to the biggest and best sports-fan festival in the U.S.! The project began when our friends at Freeman needed a fabrication team that could deliver four large-scale, interactive outdoor sculptures on a tight timeline. Naturally, they turned to Smash Design to bring their vision to life! As rabid sports fans ourselves, we were more than ready to take a big swing.
Installed outside the Javits Center in Manhattan, this giant football, baseball, soccer ball, and hockey puck became instant landmarks for Fanatics Fest NYC. As fans flooded into the event, the oversized sculptures set the tone for the biggest celebration yet of American sports culture!
Process
Building four huge sculptures simultaneously required precision, coordination, and speed on our part. Fortunately, we designed the integrated in-house workflow at our Texas studio for exactly this kind of challenge.
Our process included:
Digital Modeling and Planning
First, our team developed detailed 3D models of each sculpture. Every proportion, lace, and structural consideration was mapped out digitally before a single piece of foam was cut. This step ensured accuracy and consistency across all four builds.
Precision Foam Carving
Next, we used large-format CNC routers to carve each sculpture from high-density foam in the studio. This process roughed out huge blocks of foam into the instantly recognizable shapes we wanted.
Hand-Sculpted Refinement
After carving, our sculptors refined every surface detail by hand. We sharpened seams, smoothed textures, and added all the artistic details that make each sculpture visually compelling both up close and from a distance.
Custom Paint Finishing
Finally, our scenic artists applied a hard coat and automotive-paint finishes to each sculpture. Every piece was finished with the same slick, branded finish to match the Fanatics Fest style. Every surface was made to be touched by thousands without chipping or fading.
Once complete, all four sculptures were shipped from our Texas studio and delivered to Manhattan for installation outside the Javits Center.
Result
From the moment fans arrived at Fanatics Fest NYC, the oversized installations commanded attention. Visitors stopped, stared, and lined up to take photos alongside the giant, er, balls (and puck)! As expected, the sculptures became a social media magnet and a signature moment of the festival’s arrival experience.
Together, they sent a clear message: This place is for the BIGGEST fans of EVERY sport. Moreover, the colossal scale made every detail easy to appreciate, whether visitors were passing by or posing for a photo.
By combining precise fabrication with durable outdoor finishing, Smash Design delivered more than four foam sculptures. We helped create the first impression of the biggest sports-fan festival in the country.
We loved working with Freeman on this kind of project. These sculptures added a bold, joyful visual energy to one of New York City’s tentpole sports conventions. Ultimately, builds like this go beyond props: They celebrate fandom, spark excitement, and set the stage for memories that last long after the final buzzer!
