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
Sponteneous Beach Club-Inspired Campaigns
Casablanca Debuts the Beach Club 2026 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
Experiential Multisensory Pop-Ups
Pleasing's Immersive PleasingLand Includes a “Scent Arcade”
Furniture-Honoring Campaigns
IKEA Wherever Life Goes Campaign Honors Furniture as Everlasting
Creative Retail Competitions
Bricks & Minifigs Launches LEGO Clock Design Contest
Art-Display Smart TVs
Amazon Turns Televisions into Gallery-Style Digital Canvases
Theatrical Cocktail Experiences
The Theatre by ZLB23 Unfolds at a Seven-Seat Bar
Experiential Convenience Stores
FamilyMart Announced IP-Centered Store Experiences in Japan
Shoppable TV Ads
Samsung and Amazon Enable Remote-Based Shopping Directly on TV
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
Experiential fragrance
CPL Aromas Creates Interactive Scent Worlds for Emotional Engagement
Scent Spritz Billboards
goodwipes' Scentsational Summer Billboard Releases Scent Every 30 Seconds
Halloween Essentials Campaigns
IKEA Turns Home Essentials into Shields for Scary-Movie Nights
Themed Snack Collectibles
Kinder Joy Evolves its Treat-And-Toy Format with Themed Collections
Faux Food Pop-Ups
MoMA Design Store Unveils an Immersive 'MoMA Mart' Pop-Up for NYC
Women-Centric Vehicle Designs
The Buick Envision Celebrates Human-Centred Innovation
Fashion-Inspired Food Marketing
Magnum Blends Beauty, Music and Luxury Culture into Its Brand
Art-Inspired Collectibles
The Mattel x MoMA Series Transforms Iconic Artworks into Toys and Games
Fashion-Branded Café Experiences
Vogue Blends Retail with Immersive Hospitality Spaces
Mischievous Gift Deliveries
Walmart’s WhoKnewVille Campaign Had the Grinch Drop Off Surprise Gifts
Interactive Toy Experiences
Spin Master Highlights Opportunities in the Toy Sector in 2026
Gamified Condiment Experiences
HEINZ’s Ketchup Blast Turns Meals Interactive
Deceptively Shaped Gift Boxes
Smirnoff ICE's Iconic Gift Boxes Look Like Hair Dryers
Urban Landscape-Inspired Campaigns
The Casablanca Fall 2025 Advertising Campaign is Interesting
Shoppable Flag Campaigns
IKEA Canada's Assemble the World Cleverly Styles Home Products
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
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
Sensory Retail Experiences
Claire’s Launches ASMR-Inspired Stores for Gen Alpha Shoppers
Entertainment-Powered Retail Experiences
AT&T Brings Toy Story 5 to Interactive Store Activations
Industrial-Inspired Brand Events
Reitmans Reimagined its Distribution Centre for a Curated Event
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
Dynamic Sculptural Tables
The Interactive Transformation Table Boasts Playful Unfolding Design
Swedish-Style Kitchen Pop-Ups
IKEA House Warming Showcases Cooking & Eating Essentials
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
Experiential Brand Stores
New Era Creates Interactive Retail Space With Custom Cap Design
Decluttered Ad Campaigns
IKEA Unpackaged Goods Organizes Branded Products into Storage Containers
Immersive Multimedia Experiences
Moment Factory's Aura Installations an Highly Impressive
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
Movement-Based Perfume Bottles
Swirling Perfume by Receptor is Packaged Like a Spinning Top
Playful Next-Gen Colognes
notewrks by Snif Challenges Traditional Colognes with Musical Themes
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
Mobile Beauty Pop-Ups
Henkel’s göt2b Debuts a Citywide Mobile Beauty Experience
Experimental Fragrance Collections
Snif Secret Menu Scents are Now Available Through Ulta Beauty
Gamified Scent Marketing Experiences
Axe's Grab The Sweet Turned a Bus Stop into a Claw Machine
Collectible Artist Dolls
L.O.L. Surprise! Music Festival Features Music Icons Jennie & Rosalía
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'
Sofa-Centered Marketing Activations
This Sofa Club Activation Encouraged Consumers to Take a Seat
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
Dessert-Inspired Fashion Shows
Sensorial Treats Inspired the Inaugural House of Magnum Collection
Pop-Up Sports Hospitality
Toronto’s FIFA Fan Festival Turns Urban Spaces into Immersive Fan Hubs
Holiday Retail Campaigns
Walmart's WhoKnewVille is a Seuss-Inspired World of Festive Cheer
World Cup Hospitality Experiences
Stella Artois Turns Bars into Immersive FIFA Viewing Locations
Experiential Grocery Campaigns
No Name launches a multi-city grocery goss campaign
AI-Powered Fragrance Development
Unilever Expands Fragrance R&D With New India Hub
Dynamic Art Displays
Mirage Transforms Personal Photos Into AI-Generated Artistic Scenes
Hospitality Home Decor
Marriott Design Shop Launched Hotel-Inspired Furniture
Art-Inspired Streetwear Exhibits
Silent Echoes Show Sees Leyla Fischer’s Exploration of Emotion
Immersive Queue Displays
Samsung Transforms Everland Wait Lines with Interactive 3D Safari Visuals
Interactive Luxury Brand Storytelling
Hermès Presents the Interactive Mystery at the Grooms
Bubble Wrap Billboards
Tombola's Interactive Billboards Engage Passersby with a Sensory Activity
Opposites-Inspired Branded Exhibitions
Kia Debuts Resonance of Opposites During Milan Design Week
Fashion-Beauty Convergence
Première Vision and Cosmetic Valley Unite Fashion and Beauty Brands
Spontaneous Holiday Experiences
Virgin Red Challenged People on the Street to Turn FOMO into Go-Mo
Creative Eerie-Themed Soccer Campaigns
Nike Football Reimagines Soccer with 'Scary Good'
Elemental Retail Spaces
Goldwin Creates a Multi-Sensory Retail Environment in New York City
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
Idea Generation Tools
One Million Ideas Offers Endless Inspiration for Companies and Users
Hotel-Inspired Home Scenting Products
Hotel Collection Brings European Luxury Scents Into the Home
Spoof Fragrance Ads
The Aldi Fragrance Advert Challenges Costly Designer Fragrances
Immersive Designer-Led Activations
Kohler House Party Reframes Renovation as Social & Inspiring
In-Person Creativity Cafe Campaigns
The Made in Starbucks Campaign Spotlights Customer Creativity
Sports Lifestyle Retail
Nordstrom Blends World Cup Fashion with Immersive Pop-Ups
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
Sports Advertising Moments
Genius Sports Found Emotional Sports Moments Can Double Ad Recall
New Tech Product Announcements
Apple Unveiled New Products at a Recent Event
Athlete Arrival Fashion Activations
ATP Introduces Athlete Arrivals to Spotlight Players Style
Soccer-Themed Entertainment Events
Sky Zone Turns Global Soccer Excitement into Active Play
AI-Powered Sampling Experiences
Swish is Revolutionizing How Consumers Try New Products
Personalized Neuroaesthetic Experiences
113 Spring's Emergence Service Supports Creative Expansion
Hair Clip Blind Boxes
The Limited-Edition Emi Jay Blind Box Features Five Exclusive Products
Spy Adventure Toys
L.O.L. Surprise! Eye Spy Challenges Kids to Find Clues and Crack Codes
Interactive Themed Educational Boxes
Enlightened Generation’s Themed Boxes Serve Children
Anti-Bias Fashion Unveilings
Primark Created "Kim Parr" to Challenge Preconceptions
Gamified Discount Events
Build-A-Bear Uses Mystery Offers to Drive Engagement
Ritual-Based Mobile Design
ECAL and Google Explored Hardware Inspired by Everyday Habits
Sleek Modern Bag Collections
Diesel and Eastpak Launch Trompe L’oeil Bags with Denim Illusions
Fantasy World Theme Parks
Disney Builds Real-Life Arendelle with World of Frozen
Expanded Visual Search Features
Amazon Unveiled Its Visual Search Capabilities in Shopping App
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
K-Scent Experiences
dsm-firmenich explores K-Scent culture through an immersive Seoul exhibition
Striking Desert-Inspired Fashion Films
Jimmy Choo Showcases the Natural Reflection Capsule
Hybrid Beauty Discovery
Ulta Beauty Finds Gen Alpha Blends AI Tools with In-Store Shopping
Social-to-Outdoor Campaigns
Tribesigns Extends TikTok's Super Wish Campaign to Times Square
Ramadan-Focused Tech Campaigns
Hisense Delivers 'Innovation That Brings Us Together This Ramadan'
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
Experiential Trade Shows
Wines Experience Reinvents Industry Networking in London
Local Restaurant Activations
Pepsi Hosts Community Events to Drive Restaurant Discovery
Event-Centric Camping Experiences
Huttopia Hosts World Cup Viewing and Activities at Its Campsites
Transparency Driven Shoppers
Akeneo's 'PX Pulse' Highlights Demand For Clearer Product Details
Digital Craft Platforms
The Apple and Design Miami Collaboration Explores Creative Innovation
Nature-Inspired Lifestyle Design
SuperNatural Explores How Organic Phenomena Can Shape Objects
Creative Idea Tools
InspireNote Helps Generate, Capture, And Develop Ideas Effectively
Immersive Nighttime Theme Parks
SeaWorld Combines Concerts, Drone Displays and Live Entertainment
Idea Validation Platforms
The Idea Hub Transforms Early Concepts Into Actionable Business Insights
Community Fashion Events
Free People Hosts a Charitable Summer Gathering with Film and Activities
Heist-Inspired Fashion Campaigns
The Get Away by Primark Tells a Story of Thrilling Good Deals
Visual Discovery Campaigns
Pinterest Autumn-Winter Ads Highlight Castlecore Dreams and Fuzzy Vibes
Immersive Narrative Tourism
EF Ultimate Break Turns Ashridge House Into a Live Murder Mystery Game
Retail Conversation Marketing Campaigns
Tesco Launches 'Need Anything From Tesco' Platform