IFA xTool 2026 Map Keepsake Stand & Cards

Information

      The Story Behind the Design

For my xTool IFA 2026 Creative Challenge entry, I wanted to create something that was more than a decorative souvenir. I wanted to design an object that could come to life at IFA, interact with visitors, showcase the capabilities of xTool machines, and remain meaningful after the event.

My inspiration came from the idea of creating a physical representation of the IFA journey — from looking forward to the event, to experiencing it, to taking a personalised memory home.

The result is a handcrafted wooden IFA 2026 Berlin display stand, designed and made using the xTool M2. The design is heavily inspired by Berlin and the Messe Berlin setting of IFA, incorporating elements of the Berlin skyline, Brandenburg Gate, Fernsehturm and other visual references to the city.

At the centre of the display is a removable black metal, business-card-sized keepsake which matches the design of the engraved wood on the display board behind it, essentially allowing them to take a piece of the stand with them. At the xTool booth, visitors could have their own name engraved onto the metal card in just a few seconds using either the xTool M2 or xTool F2. This turns the display from a static object into an interactive visitor experience. Each visitor can leave with something unique and personalised, while seeing first-hand how quickly an idea can be transformed into a physical object using xTool technology.

The countdown element gives the display a purpose before the event, with interchangeable cards showing “DAYS LEFT” until IFA begins. Once the event is over, the same display can be changed to “DAYS SINCE”, allowing it to continue as a reminder of the event rather than becoming obsolete once IFA ends.

The rear of the black business card was designed with the visitor experience in mind. It includes a thank-you message, a QR code for the IFA 2026 app, and an exhibition map showing the location of the xTool stand. This makes the piece not only a keepsake, but also a practical part of the visitor journey around the exhibition.

The creative process was driven by one simple question:

What if an IFA souvenir wasn't simply something you picked up, but something you helped create?

That question became the foundation of the project. The visitor arrives at the xTool booth, experiences the technology, adds their own identity to the piece, and leaves with a personalised memory of IFA 2026.

The concept follows a simple journey:

BEFORE IFA — Look forward.
The countdown builds anticipation.

AT IFA — Make it personal.
The visitor's name is engraved onto their personalised metal keepsake using an xTool M2 or F2, creating a unique souvenir they can take home. At the same time, the main display stand features interchangeable “DAYS LEFT” cards, allowing it to show visitors exactly how many days remain until the end of IFA 2026.

AFTER IFA — Remember the experience.
The personalised keepsake preserves the visitor’s memory of IFA 2026 long after they leave Berlin. Meanwhile, the “DAYS SINCE” display gives the stand a life beyond the event, allowing xTool to continue using it as a reminder of IFA — or, for one lucky visitor, the entire stand could become a unique keepsake to take home and use as a lasting countdown of the days since their IFA experience.

I wanted the project to reflect xTool's “The Human Age of Making” theme by demonstrating how accessible technology can turn an idea into something tangible and personal. The wooden display demonstrates the creative possibilities of the xTool M2, while the interchangeable metal keepsake demonstrates how the M2 or F2 can quickly personalise an object for an individual visitor.

Ultimately, this project is designed as a display, a countdown, an interactive xTool demonstration, a personalised souvenir and a lasting memory of IFA 2026 — all brought together in one object.

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