Netflix “A Different World” Campus Event

For Netflix’s A Different World events, Chicago Fabrications produced a collection of custom branded environments and event elements designed to bring the experience to life across two university campuses.

The first event took place at Chicago State University in August, followed by a second installation at Hampton University in September. Our team handled the project from drawings and fabrication through graphics production, delivery, installation, and strike for both events.

The project included multiple custom environments, from the Hillman College-inspired lounge to a branded stage, DJ booth, and podium.

Bringing the Hillman College Experience to Life

One of the main environments was a Hillman Class-inspired lounge, designed to create a setting that referenced the college atmosphere associated with A Different World.
Chicago Fabrications produced a 12' x 8' custom backdrop wall that served as the foundation of the space.

The wall featured CNC-cut “Hillman Class” dimensional lettering, along with six 16" x 20" printed photos installed in client-supplied frames.

Combined with the surrounding furniture and décor, the finished backdrop helped establish a warm, collegiate setting while giving attendees a dedicated branded environment within the larger event.

Custom CNC-Cut Dimensional Lettering

Dimensional lettering played an important role throughout the project. For the Hillman Class environment, our team fabricated the CNC-cut “Hillman Class” lettering, creating a dimensional detail rather than relying solely on flat printed graphics.

For the main stage, we also produced custom CNC-cut “Netflix A Different World” lettering, providing a prominent branded focal point for the presentation area.

Using CNC fabrication allowed the lettering to become part of the physical environment and added dimension to otherwise clean backdrop surfaces.

Custom Stage & Branded Backdrop

The event also included a larger presentation area built around a 16' x 7' stage wall.
Chicago Fabrications fabricated the wall and produced the dimensional Netflix A Different World lettering displayed across it.

The backdrop created a strong visual anchor behind the stage while maintaining the simple, contemporary design of the overall event.

By keeping the structure itself clean, the colorful dimensional branding became the primary visual feature.

Custom Netflix DJ Booth

Chicago Fabrications also fabricated a custom DJ booth for the event. The booth featured a clean black finish with a printed “Netflix A Different World” graphic across the front, tying it visually into the rest of the event environment.

Rather than treating the DJ setup as a separate technical element, the custom facade allowed it to become another intentional piece of the overall event design.

Branded Event Podium

The branding continued onto the event podium, where Chicago Fabrications produced and installed another printed Netflix A Different World graphic.

Carrying the same visual identity across the stage wall, DJ booth, and podium helped create consistency throughout the different areas of the event.

One Build, Two University Events

An important part of this project was supporting the activation across two separate venues. The first installation took place at Chicago State University in August. Our team delivered the fabricated elements, completed the installation, and returned for strike after the event.

The activation then continued to Hampton University in September, where the branded environments were installed for the second event.

Producing event assets that can move between venues requires thinking beyond the first installation. Components need to be fabricated with transportation, handling, assembly, breakdown, and repeated installation in mind.

From Drawings to Final Installation

Chicago Fabrications managed the physical production process from beginning to end.
Our deliverables included a 12' x 8' backdrop wall, six 16" x 20" printed photos, CNC-cut Hillman Class lettering, a 16' x 7' stage wall, CNC-cut Netflix A Different World lettering, a custom DJ booth, and printed branding for both the DJ booth and podium.

Our overall scope included drawings, custom fabrication, CNC work, printing and graphics production, delivery, installation, and strike.

Managing these different production elements through one team helped maintain consistency across the various environments while also simplifying the logistics of taking the activation from one university to the next.

Custom Fabrication for Multi-Venue Brand Activations

The Netflix A Different World project is a great example of how custom fabrication can create a consistent brand experience across multiple spaces and locations.

Rather than relying on a single backdrop, the activation used a collection of coordinated physical elements to create different moments throughout the event—from the Hillman Class lounge and dimensional graphics to the main stage, DJ booth, and podium.

Chicago Fabrications works with brands, agencies, and event teams on experiential activations, campus events, custom backdrops, branded stages, DJ booths, dimensional signage, photo environments, trade show exhibits, pop-ups, custom furniture and fixtures, and specialty fabrication.

From drawings and fabrication to CNC production, printing, delivery, installation, and strike, our team can manage branded environments for a single event or coordinate custom assets that travel between multiple venues.