Nike “Been Her, Still Her” Barge Display | Large-Scale Brand Installation

Chicago Fabrications designed, fabricated, and installed a large-scale branded display for Nike’s “Been Her, Still Her” campaign, transforming a Chicago barge into a massive visual brand experience.

Our scope extended beyond the display itself. Chicago Fabrications handled technical drawings, custom wood fabrication, preparation and repainting of the existing barge, large-format printing, outdoor-grade vinyl production, delivery, on-site assembly, and graphic installation.

The result was a complete transformation of the existing barge into a polished, highly visible Nike activation.

Designing a Large-Scale Barge Display

The project began with detailed production and fabrication drawings developed specifically for the installation.

The custom structure measured approximately 70 feet long and was designed as a modular system that could be fabricated in manageable sections, transported to the site, and assembled directly on the barge.

This modular approach allowed our team to create one continuous finished surface while accounting for transportation, on-site assembly, structural alignment, and the placement of the oversized Nike artwork.

Custom Wood Fabrication

Chicago Fabrications fabricated the underlying structure using a substantial wood framing system with plywood decking.

Rather than constructing one oversized piece, the display was fabricated in multiple sections. Each section was built to align with the others during installation, ultimately creating the large continuous surface required for the final graphics.

Because the artwork would extend across nearly the entire installation, maintaining consistent dimensions and a smooth finished surface was critical throughout fabrication.

Barge Preparation and Repainting

The transformation wasn't limited to the structure placed on top of the barge.

Chicago Fabrications also prepared and repainted the existing barge to improve its appearance for the activation. Since portions of the vessel remained visible around the finished installation, the condition of the barge itself became part of the overall presentation.

Repainting helped create a cleaner, more polished environment and ensured the surrounding vessel complemented the finished Nike display.

This additional scope allowed our team to address both the existing site and the new fabrication, creating a more cohesive final installation.

Assembled Directly on the Barge

Once fabrication was complete, the individual structural components were delivered to the site and placed and assembled directly on the barge.

Working on a barge presented a very different installation environment from a conventional event venue. Our crew had to position and connect the modular sections on-site, establish the final surface, and prepare the entire structure for the oversized graphics installation.

The modular construction made it possible to fabricate a display of this scale off-site while still allowing it to be efficiently transported and assembled at its final location.

Oversized Outdoor-Grade Nike Graphics

Once the structure was assembled, Chicago Fabrications transformed the surface with a massive Nike “Been Her, Still Her” graphic.

Our team handled both the large-format printing and installation of the outdoor-grade vinyl graphics.

Because of the enormous overall size, the artwork had to be produced in multiple sections and precisely aligned during installation. Large typography and graphic elements extended across multiple panels, making seam coordination and accurate placement essential.

When completed, the individual graphic sections visually came together as one oversized Nike statement spanning the barge display.

Large-Format Outdoor Vinyl Installation

Installing graphics at this scale in an outdoor environment required careful planning and hands-on field installation.

Our crew worked directly on the barge to position, apply, and align the oversized vinyl sections across the completed surface. Every section needed to connect accurately with the next so the artwork remained consistent across the entire installation.

The process brought together surface preparation, large-format printing, outdoor-grade vinyl, precise seam alignment, and field installation to create the finished branded surface.

From Drawings to Final Installation

Chicago Fabrications managed the physical production of the project from beginning to end. Our scope included technical and production drawings, material planning, wood fabrication, plywood construction, barge preparation and repainting, large-format printing, outdoor-grade vinyl production, delivery, on-site assembly, and graphic installation.

Handling these different stages through one production team allowed the structural fabrication and final artwork to be coordinated from the beginning—especially important when an oversized graphic needed to align across an approximately 70-foot-long custom structure.

Large-Scale Experiential Fabrication in Chicago

The Nike “Been Her, Still Her” barge display demonstrates Chicago Fabrications' ability to take on unconventional, large-scale branded installations beyond traditional event walls, booths, and displays.

From preparing and repainting an existing barge to fabricating a massive modular structure and covering it with oversized outdoor graphics, the project required drawings, fabrication, painting, printing, logistics, assembly, and installation to work together as one coordinated process.

Chicago Fabrications works with brands, agencies, and event producers on large-scale brand activations, experiential builds, custom displays, scenic fabrication, outdoor installations, pop-ups, trade show exhibits, retail environments, custom furniture, props, and specialty fabrication.

Based in Chicago and supporting projects nationwide, our team can take a project from drawings and fabrication through painting, print, wrap, delivery, assembly, installation, and strike.