When – and if – one thinks about silicone toddler plates and inflatable rubber-duck-shaped baby tubs, words like "fun" and "functional" likely come to mind. But after viewing the exhibit for Munchkin Inc., a provider of children's and baby products, Exhibit Design Awards judges added adjectives such as "fresh," "artistic," and "sophisticated" to the mix.

Designed by Unrivaled Inc., the 52-by-69-foot stand debuted at Kind and Jugend in Cologne, Germany, where visitors were captivated by the product-centered space even as they approached from the aisles. The 10-foot-tall exterior walls comprised white, vacuum-formed tiles that were molded from the lids of Munchkin's new cup line. Designers also draped the entrance with a multicolored curtain of nearly 7,000 die-cut hearts representing the Munchkin logo.

Once inside, visitors discovered a gallery-like experience featuring free-floating shelves and oodles of colorful product displays, some of which were attached to the walls by concealed magnets. "The resulting effect was a series of products that appeared to float in midair, while the shelves and displays themselves seemed to float off of the walls," said Coty Creighton, Unrivaled's creative director.

Led by a blue carpet, visitors ultimately made their way to the expansive cafe at the back of the booth, where the design spoke to Munchkin's ongoing conservation efforts using projection mapping. What appeared to be three oversized children's cups became the backdrop for animated images of endangered species. Behind each cup, a large-scale diorama depicted each animal's natural habitat. Amid this animal imagery, a range of hospitality offerings and comfortable furnishings provided the perfect playground for staff and attendees to talk shop. E