STARBUCKS
NORTH AMERICA
BARISTA CHALLENGE
Starbucks set out to crown the best barista in North America through a five-month competition that drew more than 17,000 entries across the U.S. and Canada. For the finals in Seattle, they needed a stage environment that felt authentic to their brand and elevated for a live competition.
Analog Heart was hired by Touch Worldwide to design and build the key set pieces for the event: a coffee bar as the main stage, a host desk, and a presentation plinth. With construction drawings as the foundation, we collaborated on material selection, finish quality, and durability, crafting a build that perfectly matched their in-store counters and layouts for the competition. Birch plywood provided clean lines and resilience, while live-edge slabs introduced a natural warmth that mirrored the artistry of coffee-making.
Photos courtesy of Starbucks
The result was an immersive competition environment that transformed Starbucks’ headquarters into a performance space. The set design framed the finalists’ craft with professionalism and authenticity, giving the event the same energy and presence as a high-profile broadcast competition.
By blending thoughtful materiality with precise fabrication, Analog Heart helped Starbucks celebrate its barista community on a stage as refined as the craft itself; turning a workplace into a moment of theater that honored the talent and passion behind every cup.