Overview
When our compadres at Lime Media Group approached Smash Design with an ambitious Netflix brand activation collab, we knew we had to go big! This ambitious project required larger-than-life characters from the animated hit “Big Mouth” that could survive a cross-country tour while staying camera-ready at every stop. With just weeks to deliver these vehicle-mounted sculptures for Netflix’s “Big Mouth Swallows America” farewell tour, we worked hard to deliver a brand activation to help this beloved property go out with a bang!
Process
To create road-ready sculptures that captured the show’s unmistakable style, we combined traditional sculpting with automotive-grade durability. Working closely with the vehicle pros at Lime Media Group, we engineered pieces that could withstand highway speeds, weather extremes, and thousands of fan selfies.
Our process included:
- 3D Modeling & Sculpting: Carving characters from high-density EPS foam to achieve perfect on-model proportions while keeping weight manageable for vehicle mounting.
- Hardcoating: Applying specialized polyurea shell to protect against moisture, UV damage, and road vibration.
- Reinforcement: Embedding internal mounting points and attachment systems engineered for safe highway travel.
- Paint & Finish: Using automotive-grade painting systems, color-matching directly to the show’s palette, and applying clear coats for lasting vibrancy.
The team coordinated installation with Lime, who conducted safety checks and test drives to ensure the Big Mouth characters would fly down the road without flying off!
Result
The completed tour vehicle became an instant icon, drawing crowds from coast to coast. The sculptures served as photo magnets and brand ambassadors, generating tons of organic social posts across Instagram, TikTok, and Xitter. The characters looked as fresh at the final tour stop as they did on day one—proof that professional fabrication makes all the difference for touring activations.
At Smash Design, we turn unique marketing challenges into showstopping experiences. This Netflix brand activation was a perfect example of how we think like marketers, engineer like nerds, and create like artists. It’s everything we love!
