David Jones x Union Pay Custom Editorial Magazine Photo Booth.

Objective

To celebrate the launch of The Jones magazine, David Jones wanted to offer VIPs a taste of the editorial experience—on-site, on-theme, and instantly delivered. The challenge? Delivering high-fashion visuals in a tightly constrained venue, without compromising on quality or style.

Our Approach

Polite Playground designed a scaled-down, high-impact photo activation that mimicked the sophistication of a professional editorial shoot. We leaned into simplicity and elegance—replacing complex sets with a single draped fabric backdrop in rich Chartreuse, mirroring the aesthetic of The Jones Autumn issue featuring Charlee Fraser.

Execution

Despite spatial and logistical constraints, the setup delivered premium results:

• Sleek, fabric-draped backdrop that reflected the luxury tone of the campaign
• Professional DSLR photo studio operated by our in-house team of photographers
• Real-time magazine cover overlays created using our custom photo software
• Instant delivery of digital covers via email and SMS
• Custom design elements featuring event partners like UnionPay and messaging relevant to the return of international students

Each participant walked away with a personalized digital magazine cover that looked editorial-ready—delivered within seconds.

Impact

The activation was a seamless blend of fashion, tech, and customer engagement. By offering guests a premium takeaway and a moment in the spotlight, David Jones enhanced brand loyalty while also spotlighting key partners.