Welcome to 2d world
Immersive worlds that feel like you stepped inside a story.
Created by Vanessa Vu and Kevin Yu, 2d world is the experience division alongside 2d restaurant—built to design and produce one-of-a-kind immersive environments that don’t just look incredible… they move people.
We help brands, venues, and institutions teleport guests to a destination, spark genuine interaction, and create core memories that translate into real outcomes: stronger traffic, longer dwell time, higher shareability, and deeper emotional connection.
What we do
We create immersive experiences that drive real results
At its core, 2d world exists to help brands and institutions transform space into meaning—turning physical environments into destinations that spark emotion, connection, and memorability.
Through a thoughtful integration of visual storytelling, spatial design, and guided guest interaction, we design experiences that invite audiences to step inside a narrative rather than observe it from the outside. These moments are intentionally crafted to encourage dwell time, participation, and organic sharing.
Supported by strong media relationships and a clear understanding of how stories travel, our work gives local press and social platforms a compelling reason to cover your project. The result is earned visibility, authentic word-of-mouth, and sustained engagement that drives success for both the experience and the brand behind it
Immersive Holiday Experience
Magnificent Mile, Shops at North Bridge
Chicago, IL
A seasonal destination built to
create joy, improve dwelling time, & driving foot traffic
In the heart of Chicago inside the Shops at North Bridge on Michigan avenue, 2d world craeted an immersive holiday experience designed to feel like stepping into a living storybook—an environment where guests can explore, take photos, and enjoy curated moments that make the season feel personal again. A 2d photobooth was installed to further improve dwelling time and improve visitor conversion
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Immersive Manga Exhibit
McAninch Arts Center
Cleve Carney Museum of Art
Glen Ellen, IL
2d x CCMA: First ever Immersive Manga Exhibit
In collaboration with the Cleve Carney Museum of Art, we transformed a blank museum space into the world’s first fully immersive manga environment — a walkable black-and-white dreamscape inspired by the origins of Japanese comics. Visitors stepped through a hand-illustrated portal door into a surreal world where gallery walls became living panels, everyday objects turned into flat drawings, and guests became part of the story. From concept sketches to final install, every detail was custom-designed and hand-executed to blur the line between fantasy and reality. The result? An unforgettable experience that redefined what a museum exhibit could be — playful, participatory, and deeply visual.
Highlights of the Immersive Manga Exhibit
The Origins – Hokusai Manga Room
The Birth of Manga
Step into the world of Hokusai Manga, where the roots of Japanese comic storytelling come alive in bold black ink. This room features oversized sketches and framed panel walls that honor the legendary ukiyo-e master who helped shape the language of manga. Visitors are surrounded by scroll-style illustrations, dynamic characters, and sound effect calligraphy that echo Hokusai’s influence on generations of artists.
Highlight Feature: A massive floor-to-ceiling 16' Hokusai Wave in our 2d Manga Style
Power & Play – Dragon Ball Room
Energy, Movement & Adventure
This room bursts with energy, celebrating the action-packed legacy of Dragon Ball. With the first ever recreation of the fighter's podium. Visitors feel like they’re mid-battle inside a comic book panel. Playful posing spots and exaggerated props let guests channel their inner Super Saiyan.
Highlight Feature: A replica of the fighter's podium in the first ever world martial art tournament which Goku participated.
Nostalgia Zone – Doraemon’s bed Room
Whimsy, Wonder & Time Travel
Through a hand-drawn portal door, guests enter a reimagined 1970s Japanese bedroom straight out of Doraemon. Featuring illusionary wall art and nostalgic props, this space invites visitors to relive their childhood fantasies of gadgets, friendship, and imagination. It’s a love letter to simpler times — and the joy of dreaming big.
Highlight Feature: A replica of Nobita's desk that let the fan re-live their favorite Doraemon moment
Legacy & Emotion – Demon Slayer Hall
Destiny, Sacrifice & Epic Storytelling
Inspired by the highly anticipated Infinity Castle arc from Demon Slayer, this final room is a fan reimagining of the climactic battleground where the series’ most heartfelt and heroic moments unfold. Our hand-drawn version of the castle channels the dramatic tension of the original story — a surreal, maze-like space where each pillar faces their destiny.
Highlight Feature: A glowing, ethereal photo zone framed by floating lanterns and fragmented castle lines, inviting guests to step into a quiet moment before battle — and become part of the story themselves.
Every space has untapped potential — and we specialize in unlocking it.
At the Cleve Carney Museum of Art, we took a traditional white-wall gallery and completely reimagined it as a walkable manga world, using hand-drawn visuals, illusion techniques, and immersive storytelling to surprise and delight visitors. This before-and-after transformation showcases what’s possible when creativity meets craftsmanship.
With years of experience in themed design and immersive production, our team provides end-to-end services: from initial concept and planning to art direction, fabrication, on-site installation, and final activation. Whether it's a retail floor, museum room, hotel lobby, or event space, we bring your vision to life with precision and heart.
“It is our mission to activate and reimagine spaces to meet our clients’ needs — and we take great pride in that journey. Every project is a chance to transform not just a place, but the way people experience it.”
– Kevin Yu, Founder, 2d restaurant
2d Night at the Museum - Thursday, June 19th, 5pm - 8 pm
Anime, Cosplay & Mochi Donuts
2d Night at the Museum at the Cleve Carney Museum of Art invited guests to step into a fully hand-drawn manga world created by 2d restaurant founders Vanessa Vu and Kevin Yu, featuring immersive black-and-white scenes inspired by Hokusai, Doraemon, Dragon Ball, and Demon Slayer.
The event celebrated the fusion of pop culture and Japanese art with live artist talks, cosplay parades, photo zones, and exclusive giveaways like limited-edition mochi donuts for early RSVPs. Attendees explored both the 2d Immersive Manga Exhibit and the larger Hokusai & Ukiyo-e exhibition, while also competing in a social media video contest for a chance to win $100 prizes — making it a one-of-a-kind night of creativity, culture, and community.
