Stripe created an elaborate miniature city to celebrate Black Friday, Cyber Monday, and Giving Tuesday. This model, set on an eight-foot diameter table, features 15 buildings and eight moving elements like trains and a blimp, populated by over 100 mini figures. The project showcases the unseen aspects of commerce that Stripe supports, illustrating how the company facilitates a significant portion of global economic activity—around 1.3% of the world's GDP. The interactive city is live-streamed, with real-time data influencing its operation. The lighting changes throughout the day, mimicking a digital SimCity experience but in a tangible form. Stripe's creative team, led by Devin Jacoviello, opted for physical mockups over digital ones to connect better with the materials. They used paper, foam, and acrylic paints to craft the diorama, aiming to evoke a sense of nostalgia while avoiding the sterile look of some financial designs. Michael Jeter, head of Stripe’s creative studio, emphasized that the company culture encourages ambitious projects like this. The team worked closely with CEO Patrick Collison, who supported the concept immediately. The initiative not only highlights Stripe's infrastructure but also engages a broader audience, sparking interest in economics through an accessible and playful representation of financial systems.