When Starbucks needed a showstopping prop for a social media campaign, the brief called for something instantly recognisable, playful and made for the camera.
The inspiration was already sitting on the menu, the iconic Starbucks cake pop.
Our challenge was to take that familiar little treat and scale it up into something that would have exactly the same charm and character, just on a much bigger scale.
Starting with a balloon
The finished prop may look simple, but the build was anything but.
We started with an inflated balloon to create the basic spherical form, building up layers of paper maché to give the piece its structure. Once the shape was established, foam clay was applied to create the smooth, domed finish needed to replicate the appearance of a real cake pop.
From there came the detail.
Every sprinkle was individually placed by hand before the entire piece was hand painted in Starbucks' signature pink. The result needed to feel polished enough for a professional social campaign, while still retaining the playful character that makes the original cake pop so recognisable.
Even the stick was approached creatively. Rather than sourcing something new, we repurposed a cardboard roll to create it. It is a small detail, but one that reflects our approach to making wherever possible.
Made for the camera
The finished giant cake pop delivered exactly what the campaign needed, a bold and colourful prop that translated instantly on screen and brought a familiar product to life in a completely unexpected way.
It is a good example of what can happen when you take a simple idea, look at it differently and give it the time and craftsmanship it deserves.
Sometimes, the best social content starts with a balloon, some paper maché and a little imagination.
