Electric Picnic 2024

Come with us

by Tarkan

Beyond the paint-splattered hands and sleepless nights, into the heart of what it means to create a world—and then let it go into the hands of drunken knights.

Building for a huge festival. Wanna know what it's like? 
Then read!

This year, I wasn't just another face in the crowd. My hands had shaped this landscape, my imagination fueled its creation. From concept to reality, I'd helped craft this living, breathing canvas of human connection. 

This is an article about chaos, collaboration, and quiet triumphs. It's about the dust-covered days that tested our patience and skill. And the nights spent staring at our work with quite some uncertainty sometimes. That's life.

The Call to Ireland 

by Valentina

Electric Picnic is a key part of Irish festivals. Since 2004, it has blended Celtic traditions with global influences.

Its design features mysterious, fantasy-filled forests. This draws on the tales of great Irish writers. Meanwhile, Electric Picnic blends rock and electronic music. It invites you to see everything in a new light. The joy and art installations merge with the mystical flavor of the night.

My first encounter with this festival was in 2011. Around 32,000 people attended, experiencing a powerful lineup of memorable acts like Interpol, PJ Harvey, Jimmy Cliff, Arcade Fire, The Chemical Brothers, Pulp, Underworld, and Beirut. It was truly remarkable: it was my first time experiencing an event where art was felt in every step, where everyone was united for a long weekend. Our hearts and footsteps set the pace of this celebration of life, of the joy of being in lands that shout freedom.

Over the years, I became increasingly involved in the production of the festival, securing a space to create installations that reflect my cultural background and artistic vision. Along the way, I met a wonderful couple, Roz and Hugo, who have been creators since the festival’s inception, establishing two areas with strong artistic and conceptual impact: Trailer Park and Providencia. Both areas have a distinctive identity. In my case, I have been working for four years with Providencia, an area that celebrates the joy and cultural diversity of Latin America and Europe.

Initial Planning and Vision

by Valentina

In the past three years, my concept has been an intervention embracing mysticism and esotericism, rooted in the inner journey of the self through the Major Arcana of tarot.

As a designer and explorer of the invisible world, I created a tarot deck, which then evolved into an installation for this festival, called The Fool’s Journey. This installation is divided into an esoteric shop and a music tent, inviting participants to have a tarot reading and then immerse themselves in a space where the Tree of Life, mystical rhythms, and otherworldly vibes blend into an eclectic artistic experience.

When I met Tarkan, I had a strong feeling that he would be the perfect partner to join this team. His background in industrial design, along with his knowledge and passion for the metaphysical world, was exactly what I was looking for. This type of installation requires a high degree of creativity and execution, along with physical, technical, and improvisational preparation.

The Design Process: From Concept to Construction

by Valentina

I took a significant risk by inviting a single person to undertake the work of ten, but Tarkan was capable, it was evident from the start. When I proposed our involvement in this project, we began outlining some execution plans, organizing ourselves with a basic yet flexible framework and allowing the organic flow to guide the completion of each task.

Together, we established visual development lines, experimenting with various designs and possible finishes. Gradually, our ideas complemented each other, integrating our perspectives and refining how we could effectively divide the work of ten between two people.

The work started dynamically, and we quickly realized that our skills blended naturally, proving that strength truly lies in unity. The project’s theme invited us to delve deeper into the self, connecting with the energies that protect and guide us while reflecting on our relationship with the world and the impact of better knowing ourselves.

For us as designers, symbolism is a fundamental language. It bridges reality and the visual world, serving as a tool that connects with the subconscious and opens us to a universal language. Colors, textures, and structures began to take shape, transforming into a visual dialogue that brought our ideas to life.

However, the challenge increased when we arrived at the assigned space and discovered that our work area had unexpectedly grown in size. This change, along with the inherent unpredictability of production, led us to adopt a fundamental rule: divide tasks and move forward step by step, solving issues as they arose. Despite the obstacles, our collaborative approach and adaptability allowed us to progress with creativity and determination.

The result was fantastic. From the creation of the physical installation, we developed a graphic identity and visuals rich in a fusion language that combines the richness of two worlds: the spirit that connects with the greatness of creation and the raw reality of the streets. We integrated an urban and mystical identity that resonated with the soul of a big city.

Providencia Free Town became the stage for three days, where over 100,000 people passed through, living and breathing the atmosphere of a diverse world, one filled with fantasies and realities. A reality that, nonetheless, reflects a deeper balance: what it means to be a citizen of the world.

Bringing It All Together: Installation on Festival Grounds 

by Tarkan

This process was not only us growing as a team, but having a deeper insight into two individuals who consider themselves as artists (who happen to have a bit more of an individual creative process than designers) clicking together and dropping their egos for their common goal.

For Valentina it was a big decision she made. Instead of having 10 other helpers like last year, she hired only me as a partner and assistant. So on her side, she put a risk on losing her reputation.

We arrived in Stradbally circa 2 weeks before the festival weekend. We entered through the check-in with our car from Portugal, got assigned an ultra cool “production” sticker to our car in the accreditation spot. It led us to enter the property with permission. After getting our wristbands (so we are allowed to walk around the construction site), we drove to our spot.

At this point, I realized how freaaking big this festival is, 100.000 people! The property was huge. We drove literally 10 minutes from property entry to our Casa Moonlight spot.

We crossed roads with huge cargo trucks, construction machinery on wheels, normal cars and workers walking the road. Dust was moving around with the vehicles disturbing it.

Our basic routine was waking up, going to a cafe to do laptop work for 1-3 hours, eat something, get back to the site and start building/planning. Day in and day out, different challenges but the roughly the same times. The weather was forgiving with us; amazing sun with a little bit of light rain here and there. Ireland is lush and relatively cold, even in winter, so we were lucky.

As Valentina mentioned in her early Electric Picnic article:

"[It] requires knowing a bit of everything and then some:

Versatility: You need diverse skills, from design and production, a bit of carpentry, to electricity and plumbing.

Mindfulness and expertise in human behavior: Essential to avoid losing your mind under long working hours, pressure, and the beautiful chaos you participate in with hundreds of others.

Production and logistics: Without a minimum of order, plan, and strategy, the journey is long and painful—you might spend a lot of time searching for a pair of scissors.

Detachment from comfort: Forget about your warm bed and hot showers for a while."

Mental challenges were unavoidable. Valentina was doing Electric Picnic already for 4th year. For me, it was my first time. I am a stress resistant individual who can work with pressure, so the challenge was not really there. The real challenge lied in synchronizing our work styles and planning in a way that is effective so we can minize time wastage.

We had initial disagreements for priotrities. But we applied the principles of psychological death and transformation design to our workflow (read about transformation in “Psychological Death & Transformative Design”). We applied non-violent communication methods and stayed on our clear path towards the objective: delivering complete work when deadline is due.

Final Look: Capturing the Spirit of Providencia

Casa Moonlight Design

by Tarkan

Entrance Wall Painting:
The final product was incredible. We not only did everything we said we will do on time, but we also over delivered. Our incredible “Moonlight” Entrance Wall Painting was a delight to look at, especially in nighttime.

Celestial symbols, including stars and planetary glyphs, frame the mural, adding a touch of the cosmic and hinting at ancient, astrological lore.

The two figures on either side embody a sense of mythological playfulness. On the left, a whimsical, anthropomorphic cat poses confidently, almost like a guardian of the night. Opposite, a mysterious, dog creature holds a staff, dressed in tribal attire, and seems to invite viewers to step into a dreamlike world. The swirling flames and smoke patterns enhance the sense of movement and mystery. An environment where stories come to life under the moon’s gaze.

The painted face of the moon above them watches over the scene with a calm expression, as if encouraging the viewer to surrender to the magic of the night. The entire setup feels like an invitation to explore the unknown, blending folklore, mystery, and celebration.

Dj Booth & Stage:
The DJ booth and stage design have an ethereal, almost mystical atmosphere. The booth itself is painted with swirling patterns of sun and waves, giving off a sense of cosmic rhythm that resonates with the festival’s energy. The blue and red pillars represent the forces of nature: one side radiates warmth and sunshine, while the other brings the calm, ying & yang, mysterious depths of the ocean. Two faces, each with eyes that seem to follow you, give life to the design, as if watching over the scene with a playful spirit.

The booth is an altar of music and energy. Fusing traditional symbolism and the spirit of freedom. Have a look below.

Tent Design:
The ceiling above transforms into a kaleidoscope. Vibrant, textured fabrics that cascade down in flowing layers, each piece carefully chosen to add depth, warmth, and a sense of wonder. A cocoon of creativity, a space that feels alive and intimate. The mix of patterns tells a story, drawing inspiration from diverse cultures and artistic expressions, blending geometric prints, floral bursts, and ancient motifs into one harmonious vision field.

Each hanging piece of fabric sways gently with the wind, as though the tent itself is breathing with the rhythm of Irish winds. These elements turn the tent into a little party womb where dance & celebration find their way through expression.

The immersive quality of the space is undeniable. The ceiling design pulls your gaze upward, as if reminding you to dream, to imagine, to reconnect with something greater. It’s a canopy of contrasts—playful yet profound, structured yet spontaneous—perfectly capturing the spirit of the festival. It’s more than a shelter from the elements; it’s a cocoon where strangers become friends, where art and humanity meet, and where every detail whispers;

“You belong here.”

Main Stage Providencia:
Valentina finished her project for the main stage on time under pressure. We had little preliminary work done, just a little sketch to visuallize how it would roughly look through one 3d sketch and some color/mood pictures.

The end product was an amazingly colourful 

Graphics & Posters:

A lot of people streamed through our camp in and out, and it was both a pleasure as well a challenge to manage this wild crowd. I think Valentina and I would have preferred to do build things like this, with soul and creativity, in a much smaller scale festival in a more intimate context. The crowd in electric picnic is huge (again, over 100.000 people) and with that comes also a mix of pleasant as well as more leaning towards unpleasant states of consciousness in people. 

A lot of alcohol was involved, so people were not in their most polite modus. We had to manage a lot of people to net get destructive with the decorative elements, as well as redirecting people out of the backstage area were we slept. So during the festival happening itself, it was a good mix out of enjoying the show and what we created, as well as being moderate gatekeepers of the immersive world we created. 

6. Reflections on the Design Journey

by Tarkan

The Electric Picnic project was, at its core, a test of creativity. It taught us about resilience, adaptability, and teamwork. 

Festival design is unique. 
It needs a balance. 
It must plan carefully and embrace chaos. 

Nothing ever goes entirely to plan, especially at a festival with 100,000 attendees. Yet, that unpredictability fuels the creativity needed to make these experiences truly magical.

A key takeaway was learning to balance structure and spontaneity. While the designs themselves—the entrance wall, DJ booth, and tent—had a clear vision, the execution demanded flexibility. We often had to revisit plans. We had to tweak designs and rethink layouts. This was due to unexpected challenges, like weather, space limits, or supply issues. It taught me that being too rigid can stifle creation. 

True artistry is knowing when to stick to the plan and when to improvise.

Working alongside Valentina was both inspiring and eye-opening. She had years of experience and a deep knowledge of festival culture. I had a fresh perspective and a background in universal design thinking (learn more about my design approach in "This design process solves (almost) every problem"). 

Together, we learned to navigate the pressure of delivering on a timeline with limited resources. There were tense moments, inevitable in a project this big. But, they ultimately improved our collaboration. We found harmony by listening to each other and respecting our strengths. We also kept a shared focus on the end goal.

What struck me most was how much of ourselves we poured into the project. Every detail held a piece of our shared vision. The most rewarding part of the journey was seeing people interact with our space. They danced under the kaleidoscope tent and admired the mural at the Moonlight entrance. It reminded me that design is about its users as much as its physical elements.

Closing Thoughts: The Magic of Festival Design

by Tarkan

There’s something uniquely magical about festivals like Electric Picnic. For a few days, they turn a field into a wondrous world. There, art, music, and human connection intertwine.They create a temporary utopia. It's a place where strangers bond over shared experiences. It's a place that celebrates raw creativity.

This experience solidified my love for immersive design. Festivals like these show art's power to unite us. They create joy and spark lasting conversations after the music fades. It was an honor to work with Valentina. Her vision, and her trust in me, pushed me to grow as a designer, collaborator, and problem-solver.

You can read Valentina's blog and subscribe to her newsletter on www.valentina-alvarez.com

As the festival came to a close, and the dust began to settle. We packed everthing up in a matter of a day, which is quite interestingly shorter than the time it took to set up. This task was both overwhelming and exhilarating.

If you’re a creator or dreamer with a vision for an immersive project, I’d love to collaborate. Let’s build something extraordinary together. You can explore more of my work and connect with me through my portfolio. 

Let’s keep creating, keep dreaming, and keep bringing vibrant, soulful spaces to life.

kiss kiss,

Tarkan and Valentina