Harvard University 35th Reunion Tabletop

This spring my Harvard University Reunion Committee commissioned me to design tabletop décor for the five-day extravaganza. The task: fresh, engaging, interactive décor, different for each meal, 7 meals over 5 days for 600 guests.

 

Yipes! Oh, and yes, the designs had to be sustainable/zero-carbon footprint and light enough to stash in boxes between meals.

 

I love a challenge and took this on with full creative energies. I set up mockup tables in my living room, experimenting with what worked, what didn’t, what looked best, what would be most fun for guests.

 

I designed the tables around the teams of memory, time, and space. Reunions give alums a chance to reflect on where they have been (metaphorically and geographically), what they’ve done with their time, and which memories they treasure most. Each design featured variations on these themes. Below are a few with descriptions.

 

The event was a fantastic success, and I believe our tabletop ingenuity will inspire future reunions to toss the flowers and create something equally memorable! (Oh, and guests got to take home placemats, bookmarks, timelines, and exam blue books as souvenirs of our week together.)