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Almighty Active
New Zealand · Realised · Activation design and fabrication collaboration with Someday Studios and Matt Dawkins.
In June 2022, we collaborated with Someday Studios to design and fabricate a custom vending machine for Almighty — New Zealand’s leading sparkling water company and longtime friends of the Department of Arts. The activation was part of a wider push to promote the launch of Almighty Active, a caffeinated sparkling water aimed at people who wanted a boost without coffee. The unit needed to stand out in public spaces, speak to the brand’s clean and progressive aesthetic, and be flexible enough to travel around the country and beyond.
3D Design
Experience Design
Product Design
3D visualisation
Experience
Product
Challenge
We had never worked on a vending machine before — especially not one that needed to be fully re-clad while maintaining internal access and mobility. The unit had to feel premium and futuristic while still being durable, packable, and road-ready. The biggest hurdle was designing a structure that wrapped an existing vending machine yet could be packed up and reassembled repeatedly without damage or misalignment.
Approach
We treated the machine more like a sculptural plinth than a standard vending box. Drawing from Japanese modernist references, the design language favoured soft curves, radiused corners, and minimal seams. We used custom-fabricated metal panels, LED edge lighting, and a sleek vinyl wrap developed in collaboration with Almighty’s internal design team. Metal fabrication was led by Matt Dawkins, with structural panels built for strength and portability. Strategic lighting framed the machine while reinforcing the “active” energy of the launch.
Vending Machine Details
Output
A fully re-clad, custom-fabricated vending machine designed to house and elevate Almighty Active — complete with side panels, integrated LEDs and vinyl-wrapped surface treatments. The machine was designed to tour nationally and internationally, offering flexible placement across activations, retail, and events.
The vending machine continues to serve as a travelling brand asset — now installed in Melbourne and still in use. What began as a pop-up concept has evolved into an enduring part of Almighty’s brand presence. Huge thanks to Hannah, Ben, and the entire Almighty team for trusting us to bring something unexpected to life.
