Doodles x Red Bull Flugtag – Foam Sculpture
When Red Bull throws a party, you know it’s going to be bold. And when their Flugtag event rolled into Dallas-Fort Worth, our client Doodles (an apparel brand with a quirky mascot) wanted to make a splash — literally. Their idea? A custom foam sculpture of their mascot as the centerpiece of their flying machine. Our challenge? Bring it to life, fast and budget-friendly.
The Challenge: Big Personality, Lean Timeline
The Flugtag is not your average brand event. Teams design and build homemade flying machines, launch them off a high-speed ramp, and crash into the water below — all in the name of fun, creativity, and spectacle.
For Doodles, this was the perfect platform. Their mascot is playful, colorful, and instantly recognizable — exactly the kind of character that could get the crowd cheering. But here’s the catch:
Budget-conscious build: The sculpture needed to look big and impressive without breaking the bank.
Quick turnaround: We had just 16 days to design, sculpt, and finish the piece.
Event-ready durability: It had to hold up to handling, transport, and the general chaos of a live Red Bull event.
Our Approach: Foam, Paint, and a Whole Lot of Craft
We went with a material that’s light, versatile, and perfect for bold characters: custom-sculpted foam. Starting with the basic shape of the mascot, our team carved, sanded, and refined until the figure had the right personality — oversized head, expressive features, and a stance that matched the playful vibe of Flugtag.
Once the form was locked, it was time for paint. Bright pastels, smooth gradients, and crisp edges gave the sculpture a clean, cartoon-like look. We sealed and finished it for durability, making sure it could survive the event day madness — from setup and photos to its final splash into the water.
Techniques & Materials
Foam sculpting
Hand-carving & shaping
Paint + custom finishing
The Fun (and the Challenges)
Every project has its curveballs. For this one, the challenge was balancing budget and impact. Foam was the right solution, but it still required finesse to keep costs down without sacrificing character. The team worked smart — refining shapes efficiently, leaning on bold paintwork to carry personality, and keeping the build lightweight enough for easy event handling.
It was also a test of speed. 16 days might sound like a lot, but when you’re sculpting, finishing, and painting something from scratch (all while managing other client builds), every day counts. Our team can definitely pull off crazy deadlines, and this was one of those projects that reminded us how much fun that can be.
The Reaction: A Crowd Favorite
On event day, the Doodles mascot turned heads and stole hearts. Fans stopped to take photos, ask questions, and get up close with the sculpture before its big “flight.” It wasn’t just a prop — it was a magnet for smiles and conversations.
But the best part? Hearing back from the client:
“Hey, Mecca! We cannot thank you enough for the amazing work on our ‘flying’ craft. It was a MASSIVE hit at the event and everyone smiled so big passing by it and wanted to know everything about the construction. You all made our dreams come true. A huge thanks to everyone who touched the project, we couldn’t have been happier with how it turned out.”
That’s why we do what we do.
The Takeaway: Imagination on a Budget
This project proves that you don’t need an unlimited budget to make a big impact. With the right materials, a little creative problem-solving, and a lot of craftsmanship, you can turn a simple idea into something unforgettable.
At Mecca, we thrive on these kinds of challenges — tight deadlines, creative requests, and clients who want to stand out. The Doodles x Red Bull Flugtag sculpture was one more reminder that the best builds don’t just look good. They spark joy, start conversations, and live on in memories long after the event is over.
Foam, paint, and a big idea — sometimes that’s all it takes to make a splash.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
PAUL MECCA is the President of Mecca Design & Production, where he’s been transforming bold ideas into reality since 2006. An expert in out-of-the-box fabrication, Paul has a deep knowledge of materials, methods, and creative problem-solving. He specializes in turning marketing visions into tangible, unforgettable brand experiences.
