Blueprint’s key to keeping the logistics
streamlined while maintaining thematic integrity
is anchored in its holistic event production
philosophy: From inspiration to ideas to scenery
and florals, everything is created in-house.
The process begins when Blueprint Studios
partners with the client to provide strategic
creative services, including conceptual strategy,
event branding, and art direction; with this year’s
gala drawing inspiration from the Impressionist
art movement. The event branding was echoed
throughout the visual theme—from the “red
carpet” reminiscent of Monet’s Waterlilies, to the
floral arrangements which reflected the palates
of some of his fellow Impressionist’s most iconic
works of art.
Blueprint’s design team tackled space planning—
drafting and creating photo-realistic renderings—
ensuring that flow and movement of people
and a complex series of events throughout the
sumptuously curated and adorned environments
would be seamless. This is no small feat with
more than 3000 guests in attendance, many of
whom have different tiers of access to various
installations throughout the event: from VIP
lounges to complimentary wine receptions. The
event showcased complex technical ingenuity
requiring more than 100 Blueprint Studios
production team members to execute nine
events throughout the evening, including four
simultaneous dinners. The fete was staged in
several locales in and around SF Civic Center
Plaza, including City Hall, Davies Symphony Hall,
Opera lobby and an original, custom designed
VIP Patron’s Tent. City Hall Rotunda hosted two
dinner galas and a lounge. The top two donor-level
guests toasted to the Symphony’s season in the
richly historic setting, decorated to complement
the gilded grandeur of City Hall.
Blueprint’s vast ateliers of artfully made
furnishings, props and backdrops, event furniture,
scenic, and décor rentals are crafted and custom-
built or selected from the. continuously updated
inventory. Bursting at the seams with custom
fabricated items, it also boasts the largest drape
collection available on the west coast—a huge
advantage when planning the SF Symphony
Gala’s theme: “A Contemporary Tapestry of
Impressionism.”
These buzzing workshops are staggering displays
of behind-the-scenes artistry reminiscent of a
golden age Hollywood lot. They are also colorful
and fragrant staging areas floral design and
installation planning, with magnificent arrays of
classic and exotic blooms to complement and
add vibrancy to every event aesthetic. Chosen
for the SF Symphony and gala were a variety of
arrangements to fit the distinct environments;
from riotously red roses piled atop luxe fuchsia-
tinted cushions on pedestals injecting color into
the black and white scheme of the contemporary
style Symphonix dinner, to the understated arrays
of tinted pink cala lilies and white mums adding
botanical elegance to the afterparty.
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