The Sundance Institute was founded in 1981 by Robert Redford with the objective to provide and preserve space for artists in film, theater and new media to create and thrive. The Sundance Film Festival grew out of this effort, starting in 1985 and presented annually in Park City, Utah, with additional venues in Salt Lake City and Provo, Utah.

In preparation for the 2018 Sundance Film Festival, Vision Graphics was asked to decorate venues in Park City, Salt Lake City and Provo. As the festival spans 10 days and attracts more than 71,000 people, it is critical that the event be branded and beautiful.

Challenges for this year’s graphics included weather, environment and location.

WEATHER: As Park City is known as a mountain ski resort, its altitude creates unpredictability in weather patterns. The graphic elements would need to maintain their vibrancy and adherence in temperatures potentially ranging from 50 degrees F during the afternoon to -10 F at night. Additionally, the graphics would need to be ready in case of direct sun, rainfall or snowstorms.

ENVIRONMENT: Graphics for this event were applied indoor and out. Surfaces included walls, windows, metal sculpture, walkways, fences and light poles. Vision Graphics recommended materials for each surface that would stand up to the traffic, stay in place and, yet, would be removed quickly and with no damage to the surface. Vinyls, fabrics and magnetics all played a role.

LOCATION: While it may be easy to design an element, and it isn’t much trouble to produce the element, it doesn’t to any good until the element is in place. Some of the more challenging elements included:

• Banners hung 6 stories off the ground
• Window graphics as large as 2 city buses
• Pole banners along the entire length of Main Street in Park City… during traffic
• An entire walking bridge span

According to Matt Dalton, Senior Vice President of Operations: “The Sundance Institute has worked with Vision Graphics for five years, and each time, they increase the scope of the work. It is very important to the Sundance Institute that the branding of the entire event be cohesive. The Festival attracts a very discerning artistic crowd and every detail has to be just right.” 

Dalton continued by adding: “We appreciate the trust that Sundance has placed in us. We enjoy the opportunity to help consult on events like this. We have developed systems to manage locations and schedules, and I think Sundance appreciates the expertise that we bring to the table.”

We invite you to browse our gallery. Also, keep Vision Graphics in mind as your leader in design, production and installation of event graphics.