Event Solutions Event Industry Hall of Fame: Doron Gazit
Founder and President, Air Dimensional Design Inc.
Published in April 2006 Hall of Fame
Doron Gazit, a graduate of Bezalel Art and Design College in Jerusalem, supported himself during his college years by selling twisty balloons. Intrigued by this medium, he began creating environmental art, capturing wind with open-ended balloons or erecting large-scale twisty balloon sculptures. He participated in prestigious environmental art exhibits, growing his reputation as a large-scale environmental artist. Gazit was then invited to create his designs at nine venues on the L.A. Olympic Games grounds in 1984. Soon after, he founded Air Dimensional Design, and proceeded to invent and create inflatable products and designs that have forever changed the look of events.
Gazit’s first product was the Airtube, a three-dimensional “line” with which he “drew” within spaces and upon surfaces, adorning high-profile international venues as well as commercial venues and a wide variety of events.
Next Gazit invented the Dynamic Inflatables, of which the most well-known is the Fly Guy, which debuted at the Closing Ceremony of the 1996 Olympic Games in Atlanta. Gazit was later granted a patent for this invention. Initially serving as an attention getter at special events, this product gradually took AirDD into the advertising market. In 2004 AirDD licensed out the patent to Above & Beyond, an inflatables company from Irvine, Calif.
With more time on hand, Gazit is now redirecting AirDD back “home” to the events industry, with a new product line called the Hi-Lights. Ranging from 4 to 20 feet, these lightweight inflatables create an instant illuminated sculpture. Stars, spheres and cones are within this line, though Gazit is most proud of the giant “Tentacles” structure, which looks as if it were alive.
Twenty five years ago, when Gazit began to carve out his career niche, his parents were quite concerned. He told them that for as long as he could invent and create with inflatables, he would continue to pursue it. And indeed he has.
Living in Los Angeles, Gazit is married and has two young toddlers, who absolutely admire their father’s profession.
First year in the event industry: 1984. The Airtube was installed in nine venues at the L.A. Olympics. I was not aware then that I was launching a career in the events industry.
What I thought I was going to be when I grew up: I thought I would be an engineer. I found my creativity at a relatively late age.
I got into the event business because: By accident. I was fascinated with twisty balloons and envisioned large-scale ones creating 3-D drawings in spaces. The events industry enabled me to continue and follow my passion. Then came the Fly Guys and now, the Hi-Lights. I continue to explore and play with inflatables, now purposely intending them for the events industry.
Biggest event success: The Fly Guys at the Closing Ceremony of the 1996 Olympics. I am also especially proud of my 2001 Airtube installation in the scorching heat of Dubai: nine towers each 75 feet high. At this time it is the large Tentacles that excite me.
Biggest disaster: Almost! I was preparing a 300-foot wall of clear Airtubes for the VH1 Diva show. The work was just about completed when gusty winds started to blow, and the entire setup was at a risk of toppling over. I then wove a horizontal Airtube into the vertical design. This ended up saving the project, as the wind blew through the Airtubes and not against them.
Most valuable lesson learned: Follow your passion. There will always be some that may criticize you, but there will be others that appreciate what you do.
The best piece of advice I ever received: Move on. Life always brings new opportunities.