Alien Stage University
Alien Stage University
Alien Stage University
Co-organizer, Artist, Designer
Co-organizer, Artist, Designer
Co-organizer, Artist, Designer
Cupsleeve Event
Cupsleeve Event
Cupsleeve Event
Overview
Overview
A cupsleeve event (CSE) is a fan-run event held at cafés or boba shops, usually to celebrate a franchise or celebrity through themed experiences and merchandise. As a co-organizer and art & production lead, I helped conceptualize and execute the Alien Stage University Cupsleeve Event, inspired by the indie Korean multimedia project Alien Stage.
A cupsleeve event (CSE) is a fan-run event held at cafés or boba shops, usually to celebrate a franchise or celebrity through themed experiences and merchandise. As a co-organizer and art & production lead, I helped conceptualize and execute the Alien Stage University Cupsleeve Event, inspired by the indie Korean multimedia project Alien Stage.
Hosted at Cha for Tea near UC Irvine, we reimagined the franchise through a university theme, designing original university-themed outfits for each character, and extending this concept across all visual assets and merchandise. The event generated 700+ followers across Instagram and Tiktok, attracted 500+ in-person attendees, and produced $2,500+ in merchandise sales.
Hosted at Cha for Tea near UC Irvine, we reimagined the franchise through a university theme, designing original university-themed outfits for each character, and extending this concept across all visual assets and merchandise. The event generated 700+ followers across Instagram and Tiktok, attracted 500+ in-person attendees, and produced $2,500+ in merchandise sales.
Programs
Adobe Illustrator
Design Tool
Procreate
Illustration Tool
Clip Studio Paint
Illustration Tool
Microsoft Excel
Spreadsheet Tool
Programs
Adobe Illustrator
Design Tool
Procreate
Illustration Tool
Clip Studio Paint
Illustration Tool
Microsoft Excel
Spreadsheet Tool
Programs
Adobe Illustrator
Design Tool
Procreate
Illustration Tool
Clip Studio Paint
Illustration Tool
Microsoft Excel
Spreadsheet Tool
Year
Year
2025
Process
Process
Organization
As a co-organizer, I collaborated directly with Cha for Tea's management to plan and execute the event, coordinating key logistics including event scheduling, exclusive themed menu, store layout, and interior decor. Our team maintained ongoing communication with Cha for Tea executives to ensure alignment from pre-production through event day.
Artistic Direction
In my role as the Art and Production lead, I:
Selected and managed a team of 12 artists, ensuring stylistic consistency and quality across all deliverables
Established a cohesive visual direction by co-developing 6 original university-themed character designs
Created structured references (pose sheets, asset guidelines) for artists to balance creative freedom with brand consistency
Maintained communication between and among artists, coordinators, and manufacturers to ensure production accuracy/quality
I also contributed directly to the final products by illustrating one of the event photocards and designing the acrylic ID card holder (both pictured below).
Organization
As a co-organizer, I collaborated directly with Cha for Tea's management to plan and execute the event, coordinating key logistics including event scheduling, exclusive themed menu, store layout, and interior decor. Our team maintained ongoing communication with Cha for Tea executives to ensure alignment from pre-production through event day.
Artistic Direction
In my role as the Art and Production lead, I:
Selected and managed a team of 12 artists, ensuring stylistic consistency and quality across all deliverables
Established a cohesive visual direction by co-developing 6 original university-themed character designs
Created structured references (pose sheets, asset guidelines) for artists to balance creative freedom with brand consistency
Maintained communication between and among artists, coordinators, and manufacturers to ensure production accuracy/quality
I also contributed directly to the final products by illustrating one of the event photocards and designing the acrylic ID card holder (both pictured below).
Organization
As a co-organizer, I collaborated directly with Cha for Tea's management to plan and execute the event, coordinating key logistics including event scheduling, exclusive themed menu, store layout, and interior decor. Our team maintained ongoing communication with Cha for Tea executives to ensure alignment from pre-production through event day.
Artistic Direction
In my role as the Art and Production lead, I:
Selected and managed a team of 12 artists, ensuring stylistic consistency and quality across all deliverables
Established a cohesive visual direction by co-developing 6 original university-themed character designs
Created structured references (pose sheets, asset guidelines) for artists to balance creative freedom with brand consistency
Maintained communication between and among artists, coordinators, and manufacturers to ensure production accuracy/quality
I also contributed directly to the final products by illustrating one of the event photocards and designing the acrylic ID card holder (both pictured below).
Problem-Solving and Adaptability
1. Manufacturing Delays & Customer Communication
Our primary manufacturer, based in China, encountered unexpected delays due to overlapping national holidays and increased customs restrictions. Although we ordered early, we were notified last minute that the majority of our merchandise would only arrive two days after the event.
To address this, we immediately issued transparent updates across our social media accounts and email to all pre-order customers.
We provided flexible solution options, including full refunds, scheduled pick-up, or shipping, and maintained customer trust through consistent updates and clear expectations. As a result, we preserved customer satisfaction and successfully fulfilled all orders shortly after the event.
2. Crowd Management & On-Site Customer Experience
Based on our interest check and social media engagement, we anticipated approximately 350 attendees throughout the day, but actual turnout exceeded 500+, with a significant early surge that created long queues and congestion in the store and the plaza.
To improve the attendee experience, I immediately helped implement a queue management system. We used label stickers and markers to develop a numbered ticket system, giving each customer a queue number according to their position in line. We notified everyone that we would be announcing groups of numbers on our Instagram story, letting in 30 customers at a time with a time limit to ensure everyone would have the chance to browse vendors and participate in activities like photocard decorating. Additionally, our team proactively supported attendees by continuously distributing water and managing crowd flow, ensuring a safe and positive experience for everyone, despite the unexpected high volume turnout.
Problem-Solving and Adaptability
1. Manufacturing Delays & Customer Communication
Our primary manufacturer, based in China, encountered unexpected delays due to overlapping national holidays and increased customs restrictions. Although we ordered early, we were notified last minute that the majority of our merchandise would only arrive two days after the event.
To address this, we immediately issued transparent updates across our social media accounts and email to all pre-order customers.
We provided flexible solution options, including full refunds, scheduled pick-up, or shipping, and maintained customer trust through consistent updates and clear expectations. As a result, we preserved customer satisfaction and successfully fulfilled all orders shortly after the event.
2. Crowd Management & On-Site Customer Experience
Based on our interest check and social media engagement, we anticipated approximately 350 attendees throughout the day, but actual turnout exceeded 500+, with a significant early surge that created long queues and congestion in the store and the plaza.
To improve the attendee experience, I immediately helped implement a queue management system. We used label stickers and markers to develop a numbered ticket system, giving each customer a queue number according to their position in line. We notified everyone that we would be announcing groups of numbers on our Instagram story, letting in 30 customers at a time with a time limit to ensure everyone would have the chance to browse vendors and participate in activities like photocard decorating. Additionally, our team proactively supported attendees by continuously distributing water and managing crowd flow, ensuring a safe and positive experience for everyone, despite the unexpected high volume turnout.
Problem-Solving and Adaptability
1. Manufacturing Delays & Customer Communication
Our primary manufacturer, based in China, encountered unexpected delays due to overlapping national holidays and increased customs restrictions. Although we ordered early, we were notified last minute that the majority of our merchandise would only arrive two days after the event.
To address this, we immediately issued transparent updates across our social media accounts and email to all pre-order customers.
We provided flexible solution options, including full refunds, scheduled pick-up, or shipping, and maintained customer trust through consistent updates and clear expectations. As a result, we preserved customer satisfaction and successfully fulfilled all orders shortly after the event.
2. Crowd Management & On-Site Customer Experience
Based on our interest check and social media engagement, we anticipated approximately 350 attendees throughout the day, but actual turnout exceeded 500+, with a significant early surge that created long queues and congestion in the store and the plaza.
To improve the attendee experience, I immediately helped implement a queue management system. We used label stickers and markers to develop a numbered ticket system, giving each customer a queue number according to their position in line. We notified everyone that we would be announcing groups of numbers on our Instagram story, letting in 30 customers at a time with a time limit to ensure everyone would have the chance to browse vendors and participate in activities like photocard decorating. Additionally, our team proactively supported attendees by continuously distributing water and managing crowd flow, ensuring a safe and positive experience for everyone, despite the unexpected high volume turnout.
Impact and Future Development
Our main goal when planning this event was to create a safe and fun space for fans to gather and bond over shared interests. After the event, we posted an Instagram response box to ask for feedback for potential further events, and were blown away by all the positive comments from attendees. In the future, we may consider an RSVP system to manage the flow of traffic. This was our first time hosting an event of this scale, so we were extremely glad that our event had such a positive impact on so many fans!
Through the experience of co-organizing this event, I learned and developed many skills, in art/design, leadership, and interpersonal communication. This project demonstrated my ability to direct creative teams, translate abstract themes into cohesive visual systems, and adapt quickly under pressure. By combining design direction, operational planning, and user-centered problem solving, I helped deliver a large-scale fan event that was both commercially successful and highly engaging for the community!
Notes
All of our event materials were produced and distributed in compliance with Alien Stage's derivative work policy.
Impact and Future Development
Our main goal when planning this event was to create a safe and fun space for fans to gather and bond over shared interests. After the event, we posted an Instagram response box to ask for feedback for potential further events, and were blown away by all the positive comments from attendees. In the future, we may consider an RSVP system to manage the flow of traffic. This was our first time hosting an event of this scale, so we were extremely glad that our event had such a positive impact on so many fans!
Through the experience of co-organizing this event, I learned and developed many skills, in art/design, leadership, and interpersonal communication. This project demonstrated my ability to direct creative teams, translate abstract themes into cohesive visual systems, and adapt quickly under pressure. By combining design direction, operational planning, and user-centered problem solving, I helped deliver a large-scale fan event that was both commercially successful and highly engaging for the community!
Notes
All of our event materials were produced and distributed in compliance with Alien Stage's derivative work policy.
Impact and Future Development
Our main goal when planning this event was to create a safe and fun space for fans to gather and bond over shared interests. After the event, we posted an Instagram response box to ask for feedback for potential further events, and were blown away by all the positive comments from attendees. In the future, we may consider an RSVP system to manage the flow of traffic. This was our first time hosting an event of this scale, so we were extremely glad that our event had such a positive impact on so many fans!
Through the experience of co-organizing this event, I learned and developed many skills, in art/design, leadership, and interpersonal communication. This project demonstrated my ability to direct creative teams, translate abstract themes into cohesive visual systems, and adapt quickly under pressure. By combining design direction, operational planning, and user-centered problem solving, I helped deliver a large-scale fan event that was both commercially successful and highly engaging for the community!
Notes
All of our event materials were produced and distributed in compliance with Alien Stage's derivative work policy.
