To surprise someone is to encounter them suddenly and without warning. The sensation of surprise is wonder, astonishment or amazement at something unanticipated. Take a look at these innovations which will leave you "surprised," including an IKEA turning into a night club, musicals turning into mega hits, soap with hidden surprises, and a fashion show surprise.
Image Credit: FranUlloa
Implications - Creatives in every industry aim to evoke emotion in their target market. Surprise, along with shock, are some of the popular tropes used in the ad industry, especially for interactive promotions and ambient campaigns. The fashion industry has also used the element of surprise to inspire wonder and incredulity in viewers.
15 Innovations That Evoke Surprise
14
Soap With Hidden Surprises
"Soap Gifts" Encourage Waste Reduction
13
Sex Toys As Furniture
Matteo Cibic's Objects of Pleasure Include Furnishings and Jewelery
12
Gmail Paper: Surprise Paper Mail by Google
11
Surprise in a Can
Anything & Whatever Drink
10
Super Auto Surprises- BMW Launches Concept CS in Shanghai
9
Fashion Show Surprise
Model Faints, Alexander McQueen Closes Paris Runway in Bunny Suit
8
Wrinkly Sidekick Campaigns
Dolce & Gabbana Surprise With Aging Background Models
7
Cheap Tickets to Promote Albums
Metallica Surprises with $9 Concerts
6
Parking Lot Excavations
Surprise Discovery at La Brea Tar Pits Yields 700 New Fossils
5
Pop-Up Books for Grown-Ups
Visionaire's
4
Celebrity Surprise Christmas Carols
Britney Spears & Ellen DeGeneres Become The Jingle Bells Girls
3
Hidden Campaigns
Colgate Has A Sweet Surprise For You To Inspire Teeth Brushing
2
Impromptu Raves
Surprise IKEA Nightclub Homage
1
Vibrant Surprises in Design
Milan Design Show Preview
Related Ideas
Next-Gen Emotive Fragrances
Lore's Storytelling Perfumes Transport the Senses
Spherical Surprise Dolls
Barbie Roll & Reveal Shares a Novel Unboxing Experience
Tarot-Inspired Streaming Campaigns
Netflix Discover Your Future Reveals New Streaming Potentials
Origami-Inspired Holiday Collections
Guerlain Debuts the 2025 ‘Tale of Wonders’ Collection
Celebrative Icon-Inspired Campaigns
adidas Originals Honors 55 Years with Superstar: The Original
Luxe Designer Beauty Activations
YSL Launched an Entertainment-Themed Light Club 2.0 Concept
Sponteneous Beach Club-Inspired Campaigns
Casablanca Debuts the Beach Club 2026 Campaign
Nostalgic Kitchen Campaigns
Frigidaire is Running the Cheeky 'Daire to Expect More' Campaign
Interactive Gaming Cubes
The Rubik’s WOWCube Combines Digital Play with Tactile Puzzle Mechanics
Cinema-Inspired Fashion Campaigns
Brunello Cucinelli Released Cinema Meraviglia for the Holidays
Feminine Rebellion Campaigns
Songs of Siren Campaign Reimagines Femininity With Fierce Urban Edge
Gen Z Advertising Initiatives
Tubi Targets Younger Viewers with Ad Innovations at IAB NewFronts
Furniture-Honoring Campaigns
IKEA Wherever Life Goes Campaign Honors Furniture as Everlasting
Immersive Festival Haircare Activations
Method Returns to Coachella with 'Dream in the Desert'
Festival-Inspired Luxury Fashion Campaigns
Burberry Celebrates the Energy of British Music Culture
Theatrical Cocktail Experiences
The Theatre by ZLB23 Unfolds at a Seven-Seat Bar
Therapy-Inspired Retail Concepts
Okamura Reimagines Retail Therapy with the Kimochi Kiosk in 2025
Art-Display Smart TVs
Amazon Turns Televisions into Gallery-Style Digital Canvases
Experiential Convenience Stores
FamilyMart Announced IP-Centered Store Experiences in Japan
Shoppable TV Ads
Samsung and Amazon Enable Remote-Based Shopping Directly on TV
Concept-Driven Retail Experiences
Artist Miya Ando X Saint Laurent Create an Immersive Exhibition
Curated Store Concepts
A New Target Soho Store Opens in New York with Design-First Looks
Enigmatically Suspenseful Fashion Campigns
Tom Ford Presents Its Fall 2025 Advertising Campaign
Interactive Soccer-Themed Brand Activations
Henkel House Was Designed to Delight US Soccer Fans
Authentic Connection Campaigns
Heineken's Hijack Socialization Encourages Out-of-Home Gatherings
Design-Forward Concept Stores
Target SoHo is Immersive, Experiential and Shoppable
Halloween Essentials Campaigns
IKEA Turns Home Essentials into Shields for Scary-Movie Nights
Faux Food Pop-Ups
MoMA Design Store Unveils an Immersive 'MoMA Mart' Pop-Up for NYC
Themed Snack Collectibles
Kinder Joy Evolves its Treat-And-Toy Format with Themed Collections
Women-Centric Vehicle Designs
The Buick Envision Celebrates Human-Centred Innovation
Art-Inspired Collectibles
The Mattel x MoMA Series Transforms Iconic Artworks into Toys and Games
Sneaker Tag-Inspired Car Keys
Nissan's Kicks Key Merges Auto Technology with Streetwear Culture
Mischievous Gift Deliveries
Walmart’s WhoKnewVille Campaign Had the Grinch Drop Off Surprise Gifts
Shareable Wishlist Templates
Urban Outfitters and Canva Partnered to Simplify Holiday Gifting
Interactive Toy Experiences
Spin Master Highlights Opportunities in the Toy Sector in 2026
Deceptively Shaped Gift Boxes
Smirnoff ICE's Iconic Gift Boxes Look Like Hair Dryers
Gamified Condiment Experiences
HEINZ’s Ketchup Blast Turns Meals Interactive
Urban Landscape-Inspired Campaigns
The Casablanca Fall 2025 Advertising Campaign is Interesting
Globalized Tournament Campaigns
Coca-Cola Debuts 'Uncanned Emotions' for the 2026 World Cup
70s-Style Concept Stores
Anya Hindmarch x Boots Looks Like an Apothecary with a Playful Twist
Inclusive Tech Essentials
Samsung Spotlights Its Samsung Inclusive Essentials Philosophy
Social Connection Fragrances
emotiOn by dsm-firmenich is a Scent That Brings People Together
Multi-Sensory Creative Toy Capsules
Crayola Has Announced a Range of New Creative Toys for 2026
Spirited Museum Fragrances
Osmo Translated Sculpture and Sound into the Electric Harmony Fragrance
Retail Advertising Campaigns
IKEA Hides Price Tags to Highlight Material Quality in a New Campaign
Brighton Retail Launch Ads
IKEA Brighton Uses Seagull Splatter Campaign to Win Local Attention
Tech-Infused Living Room Sofas
The Sofology Allure Sofa Range Responds to Consumer Lifestyles
Cross-Industry Insight Networks
The Think Party Explores the Future of Socialization
AI-Powered Scentscapes
Osmo Created Custom Fragrances for ARTE Museum New York’s Eternal Nature
Experiential Brand Stores
New Era Creates Interactive Retail Space With Custom Cap Design
Unexpected Boundary-Pushing Chairs
Marco Segovia Presents the Atypical Chair Concept
Swedish-Style Kitchen Pop-Ups
IKEA House Warming Showcases Cooking & Eating Essentials
Dynamic Sculptural Tables
The Interactive Transformation Table Boasts Playful Unfolding Design
Data-Driven Digital Experiences
Samsung Unveiled a Color-Changing Installation in London
Laundry-Inspired Candles
Snuggle x Homesick Candles Reimagines Iconic Everyday Scents
Textured Modern Furniture Lines
Zanat and Studioilse Produce the Intricate Touch Collection
Off-The-Beaten Path Scent Collections
Maesa Has Launched Scents Unearth'd
Next Generation Art Designs
Apple Designers of Tomorrow Presents New Talent at Design Miami Paris
Celeb-Supported Fragrance Campaigns
Prada's Paradoxe Radical Essence Taps Emma Watson
Imaginative Fantasy-Inspired Campaigns
Canva Spotlights its Creative Tools Ahead of Halloween
Whisky Blind Boxes
DRAM5's Blind Box Experience Surprises and Delights Drinkers
Bubbly Body Wash Lines
Lux's New Body Wash Range Has a Textures Inspired by Sparkling Drinks
Playful Next-Gen Colognes
notewrks by Snif Challenges Traditional Colognes with Musical Themes
Hidden-Message Champagne Labels
Dom Pérignon Introduced Knockout’s Concealed Shield Feature
Decluttered Ad Campaigns
IKEA Unpackaged Goods Organizes Branded Products into Storage Containers
AI-Powered Styling Experiences
Gensmo and Fabrique are Changing How People Get Dressed
Experiential Play Pop-Ups
IKEA Open House Miami Shares a New Global Collection
Self-Expression Festival Activations
Barbie Brings Customizable Persona-Building to Coachella
Traveling Fashion Showcases
The Guess Bus in Sydney is an Example of Experimental Marketing
Experimental Fragrance Collections
Snif Secret Menu Scents are Now Available Through Ulta Beauty
Mobile Beauty Pop-Ups
Henkel’s göt2b Debuts a Citywide Mobile Beauty Experience
Gamified Scent Marketing Experiences
Axe's Grab The Sweet Turned a Bus Stop into a Claw Machine
Supermarket-Inspired Nail Art Designs
Aldi Dropped a Festival-Inspired Nail Art Collection
Burger Ad Campaigns
Burger King’s New Campaign Suggests Even Babies Can’t Resist the Whopper
AI-Driven Design Hubs
Unilever Leans into AI Design Content with 'Sketch Pro'
Poetic Secondhand Campaigns
Depop's Where Taste Recognizes Taste Celebrates Style Doppelgangers
Music-Centric Holiday Campaigns
Yamaha is Running the Cheerful 'Unwrap Expression' Campaign
Hypermarket Sleepover Experiences
Carrefour's CarreNight Invites Customers to Stay the Night
Sofa-Centered Marketing Activations
This Sofa Club Activation Encouraged Consumers to Take a Seat
Immersive Design Studio Showcases
Fritz Hansen Presented 'Shaping Lasting Design' in Copenhagen
Sensory-Focused Furniture Design Exhibits
File Under Pop Presents the TIME SIGNATURE Installation
Multi-Sensory Movie Experiences
Scentbird x I Know What You Did Last Summer Enhanced a Screening
Holiday Retail Campaigns
Walmart's WhoKnewVille is a Seuss-Inspired World of Festive Cheer
Experiential Grocery Campaigns
No Name launches a multi-city grocery goss campaign
World Cup Hospitality Experiences
Stella Artois Turns Bars into Immersive FIFA Viewing Locations
Interactive Scented Billboard Ads
LOLA MullenLowe Presents a Scented Lynx/Axe Campaign
Pop-Up Reality TV Bars
Samsung Electronics' Verkligheten is a Destination for Reality TV Fans
Dynamic Art Displays
Mirage Transforms Personal Photos Into AI-Generated Artistic Scenes
Brand Refresh Campaigns
The 'Walmart. Who Knew?' Campaign Challenges Retail Perceptions
Art-Inspired Streetwear Exhibits
Silent Echoes Show Sees Leyla Fischer’s Exploration of Emotion
Interactive Luxury Brand Storytelling
Hermès Presents the Interactive Mystery at the Grooms
Pop-Up Sports Hospitality
Toronto’s FIFA Fan Festival Turns Urban Spaces into Immersive Fan Hubs
Sensory Retail Experiences
Claire’s Launches ASMR-Inspired Stores for Gen Alpha Shoppers
Expressive Individualistic Fragrances
Perfect Nonsense by Avon Explores Unexpected Note Pairings
Spontaneity-Inspired Travel Campaigns
Wyndham Debuts 'Where There's a Wyndham, There's a Way'
Creative Eerie-Themed Soccer Campaigns
Nike Football Reimagines Soccer with 'Scary Good'
Opposites-Inspired Branded Exhibitions
Kia Debuts Resonance of Opposites During Milan Design Week
Mystery-Driven Beauty Brands
Enigma Launched with the Philosophy That Beauty Should Be Personal
Miniaturized Product Art Photographs
Taysuya Tanaka Highlights MUJI Products with Small Muji
Playful Hide-And-Seek Holiday Campaigns
Chaumet's Holiday 2025 Campaign Film is Whimsical
Empowering Cosmetic Campaigns
The Revlon Be Unforgettable Campaign Reinterprets a Brand Tagline
Sensory Museum Experiences
The Museum of Illusions Features Immersive Attractions
Idea Generation Tools
One Million Ideas Offers Endless Inspiration for Companies and Users
Human Connection-Themed Art Installations
Prada Presents the Satellite Exhibition in Tokyo
Hotel-Inspired Home Scenting Products
Hotel Collection Brings European Luxury Scents Into the Home
Whimsical Surprise Dolls
The Wicked Ozian Balloons Reveal Shares One of Five Characters
Compact In-Retail Designs
IKEA Shop-In-Shop Adds Home Planning with Tech in a Compact Space
Ice Cream-Branded ASMR Studios
Magnum Canada's ASMR Studio is Unique and Experiential
New Tech Product Announcements
Apple Unveiled New Products at a Recent Event
Athlete Arrival Fashion Activations
ATP Introduces Athlete Arrivals to Spotlight Players Style
Emerging Market Insights
Rising Trends Helps Discover Hidden Markets And Business Opportunities
AI-Powered Sampling Experiences
Swish is Revolutionizing How Consumers Try New Products
Personalized Neuroaesthetic Experiences
113 Spring's Emergence Service Supports Creative Expansion
Understated Elegant Furniture Designs
WOUD Explores Scandinavian Design and Global Influences
Hair Clip Blind Boxes
The Limited-Edition Emi Jay Blind Box Features Five Exclusive Products
Movement-Based Perfume Bottles
Swirling Perfume by Receptor is Packaged Like a Spinning Top
Interactive Beauty Destinations
Superdrug Beauty Playgrounds Inspire Fun & Product Discovery
Anti-Bias Fashion Unveilings
Primark Created "Kim Parr" to Challenge Preconceptions
Sleek Modern Bag Collections
Diesel and Eastpak Launch Trompe L’oeil Bags with Denim Illusions
Vibrant Creativity Campaigns
Crayola Debuts its 'Creative Acts of Color' Initiative
Fantasy World Theme Parks
Disney Builds Real-Life Arendelle with World of Frozen
Textile Pattern Showcasings
The IKEA Museum: Magical Patterns Installation opens in Scotland
Experiential Sock Pop-Ups
O2's Not a Sock Shop Shared Designs Reflecting Priority Experiences
Ramadan-Focused Tech Campaigns
Hisense Delivers 'Innovation That Brings Us Together This Ramadan'
Immersive Nighttime Theme Parks
SeaWorld Combines Concerts, Drone Displays and Live Entertainment
Idea Discovery Tools
IdeAI Helps You Find, Validate, And Track Unique Ideas In One Place
Redesigning Restful Moments
The ANEW Project Turns Daily Objects into Mini Retreats
Ad Creation Platforms
Magritte Helps Marketers Discover, Design, and Launch Ads Quickly
Interactive Prank Tools
Scratch & Reveal Sends Custom Surprises and Jump Scares to Friends
Ritual-Based Mobile Design
ECAL and Google Explored Hardware Inspired by Everyday Habits
Transparency Driven Shoppers
Akeneo's 'PX Pulse' Highlights Demand For Clearer Product Details
Nature-Inspired Modern Furniture
Alcarol Introduces its IMPRINT Collectio in Milan
Digital Craft Platforms
The Apple and Design Miami Collaboration Explores Creative Innovation
Island Concept Pop-Ups
The 10am Apotheke Pop-Up Reimagines Island Retail and Hospitality
Nature-Inspired Lifestyle Design
SuperNatural Explores How Organic Phenomena Can Shape Objects
Event-Centric Camping Experiences
Huttopia Hosts World Cup Viewing and Activities at Its Campsites
Creative Idea Tools
InspireNote Helps Generate, Capture, And Develop Ideas Effectively
Unique Artistic Books
Melanie Dunea Unveils 'Amuse-Bouche,' a Fashion-Food Photo Book
Visual Discovery Campaigns
Pinterest Autumn-Winter Ads Highlight Castlecore Dreams and Fuzzy Vibes
Retail Conversation Marketing Campaigns
Tesco Launches 'Need Anything From Tesco' Platform