Project The Giant PG Tips Monkey was a large-scale experiential installation commissioned to celebrate the playful identity of the PG Tips tea brand by bringing its iconic chimp mascot to life at an unforgettable scale. Constructed from 110,486 plastic leaves and as tall as a two-storey building, the sculpture was engineered to float down the River Thames from Tilbury Dock to central London, becoming a striking visual moment in the city’s landscape

Challenge The core challenge was to translate a well-known advertising character, already familiar through decades of UK TV campaigns, into a public spectacle that both honoured its heritage and worked logistically on water. The installation needed to function as a stable, monumental structure capable of navigating the river, visually read as a familiar brand icon, and withstand public and photographic scrutiny at distance. Balancing playfulness with structural engineering and material logic was key

My Role I led the concept development, spatial design, 3D modelling, and fabrication detailing for the Giant PG Tips Monkey, designing a scalable system capable of maintaining character fidelity at large scale. Working closely with fabricators, I resolved complex geometry and material logic so the installation could be assembled, transported, and supported on a flotilla platform for the river journey. I also developed the surface graphics and printed elements that brought the sculptural form’s texture and visual identity to life.

Results & Impact The Giant PG Tips Monkey became a memorable landmark event as it traversed the Thames past iconic London structures, demonstrating how experiential design can create powerful public engagement through scale, familiarity, and craft. The project shows how combining structural ingenuity with cultural storytelling can turn a beloved advertising mascot into a city-wide spectacle that resonates with both communities and media alike.