Online at the Overlook Hotel.

Overview

Reimagining social gatherings

In October 2020, as the pandemic forced celebrations indoors, I saw an opportunity to reimagine what a social gathering could be. The challenge: create a Halloween party that felt authentic, social, and immersive — the kind of night people would forget was happening from their living rooms.

The Challenge

Beyond Zoom fatigue

By late 2020, people were exhausted by flat, impersonal virtual gatherings. Zoom parties felt forced — one person talks, everyone else watches. I wanted a space with rooms to wander, corners to find people in, and the serendipity of bumping into someone by the bar.

World Design

Building the Overlook

Using Gather.town — a platform that pairs avatar movement with proximity video, so your camera fades in as you approach someone — I recreated the iconic Overlook Hotel from The Shining. I designed the venue with the care of a physical space, working from the Stanley Hotel's historical floor plans across three connected floors.

Gamification

The maze: an interactive experience

One of the venue's most beloved features was the outdoor hedge maze, recreated from the film's climactic chase. It wasn't decorative — it became a game space where guests competed to find their way to the center, navigation inspired by classic board games.

Entertainment

Curating the experience

A venue is nothing without content. I booked six professional entertainers, each bringing a different energy to a different part of the night — a psychic tarot reader, a burlesque dancer, a professional bartender, plus the live band Identity Problem and DJs Kolour Kode and Moose keeping the Gold Ballroom packed all night.

Promotion

Building anticipation

Marketing a virtual event meant building excitement and setting expectations. I created promotional materials that captured the cinematic inspiration while clearly telling guests what to expect — right down to the Eventbrite listing and a costume call.

Impact

Bringing people together

Nearly 100 people from across the country joined that Halloween night. They came in costume, they danced, they explored, they connected. In a year of isolation, we made a space for joy, creativity, and genuine human connection.

"This was the most fun I've had all year. I forgot I was at home — it felt like a real party."

Key Learnings

Great UX transcends medium

Whether it's a physical space, a digital product, or a hybrid virtual event, the principles hold: understand what people need, design for connection, and sweat the details. The pandemic forced the innovation — and proved a virtual gathering doesn't have to be a poor substitute. Designed well, it can be extraordinary in its own right.

Experience it

Visit the Overlook

The Overlook Hotel is still open for visitors. Step inside and explore the space.