For this Halloween season, Spirit Halloween hired Groove Jones to create an immersive in-store experience that takes shoppers on a journey through the eerie and thrilling world of the Carnevil.
Building on the success of previous collaborations with the in-store retail team, this year’s project elevated the experience with new Holofan hologram animations designed to captivate and spook visitors as they enter the Carnevil Fun House of Mirrors oversized in-store displays.
The theme for this year’s in-store displays was “Carnevil,” a dark and twisted carnival filled with spine-chilling characters and ominous attractions. Groove Jones was tasked with transforming this concept into a visually stunning experience that was integrated into a thrilling fun house of mirrors attraction that would engage customers as they shopped.
The digital displays were placed within funhouse mirrors, creating an eerie infinity mirror effect. Each holofan animation was meticulously designed to bring the creepy carnival theme to life, utilizing the latest holographic technology to create 3D visuals that appear to float inside the funhouse mirrors.
Poor George Hologram
One of the most haunting characters in the Carnevil lineup, Poor George is brought to life in a 3D holofan animation that captures his unsettling presence. George’s decaying flesh and unnerving grin are accentuated by flickering lights and shadowy effects, creating a ghostly apparition that seems to hover in mid-air.
The animation begins with a slow, creeping reveal of George, his hollow eyes locking onto the viewer as he slowly reaches out as if trying to escape his cursed carnival existence. This eerie, lifelike presentation of Poor George adds a layer of psychological horror that lingers with viewers long after they leave the display. Poor George was meticulously recreated in 3D.
Silent and Deadly Hologram
In this 3D holofan animation, the character Silent and Deadly lives up to its name. The animation features a ghostly clown-like figure with a macabre smile that sends shivers down the spine. The character appears almost out of nowhere, emerging silently from the shadows with a sinister grin, its eyes glowing faintly in the dim light.
The animation captures Silent and Deadly’s unnerving stillness as the character stands motionless for a moment, building tension before a sudden, jerky movement that startles the viewer. The eerie silence, broken only by the occasional unsettling noise, adds to the sense of dread, making this animation a perfect fit for the Carnevil theme. Silent and Deadly had subtle movements that created the creepy moment when he puts his finger to his lips to draw the customers inwards.
Jack Reaper Hologram
Spirit Halloween’s iconic mascot, Jack Reaper, takes center stage in this 3D holofan animation, embodying the sinister spirit of the Carnevil. Jack Reaper emerges from the darkness, his skeletal figure cloaked in tattered robes that seem to flutter in a ghostly wind. His menacing scythe glints with an eerie light, and his eyes, glowing a malevolent red, fixate on the viewer with a chilling intensity.
As the animation progresses, Jack Reaper brandishes his scythe with a swift, deadly motion, creating the illusion of him slicing through the air, as if ready to claim his next victim. The combination of shadowy effects, sudden movements, and Jack’s ominous presence creates an animation that is both captivating and deeply unsettling, perfectly encapsulating the terror of the Carnevil.
When Jack Reaper smashes the glass, creating a spiderweb of broken glass, his eye is reflected in each shard.
The Carnevil-themed in-store displays and Holofan animations were a hit with Spirit Halloween customers. The immersive experience not only enhanced the store’s atmosphere but also increased customer engagement, making the shopping experience more memorable. By blending cutting-edge technology with creative design, Groove Jones successfully brought the eerie world of Carnevil to life, solidifying our reputation as a leader in immersive digital experiences.
Spirit Halloween’s 2024 Carnevil in-store displays are a testament to the power of combining creative storytelling with innovative technology. The project exemplifies how a well-executed digital experience can transform a retail environment, making it more than just a place to shop but an attraction in its own right.
In-Store Display Video with Hologram Mirrors
The project marked the fourth year of collaboration between Groove Jones and Spirit Halloween. Check out your local Spirit Halloween store here – https://www.spirithalloween.com
Holofans and Holograms for the Funhouse Mirror Effect
A Holofan, also known as a holographic fan display, is a type of digital display technology that creates the illusion of 3D holograms floating in mid-air. It works by using rapidly spinning LED strips arranged in a fan-like shape. As the LEDs spin, they light up in a coordinated sequence, producing images that appear to be three-dimensional.
By hiding the fans behind the funhouse mirror, we created a spooky and unexpected illusion.
- 3D Illusion: Although the images are 2D, the rapid spinning and precise control of the LEDs create a convincing 3D effect, making it seem like the object is floating or moving in space.
- High Visibility: Holofans are bright and highly visible, even from different angles, making them ideal for grabbing attention in retail environments or at events.
- Portability: These displays are typically lightweight and can be easily mounted on walls, ceilings, or other structures, allowing for flexible placement in various settings.
