This project was the second invitation design created for Microsoft's Visual Studio Team Foundation Service (TFS) preview, distributed to attendees alongside the Windows 8 Developer Tablet at Microsoft's 2011 //build developer conference. The invitation featured an interactive pop-up mechanism, revealing a three-dimensional version of the Visual Studio infinity logo upon opening its custom die-cut sleeve. Each invitation included an individual access code granting exclusive early preview access to Microsoft's Team Foundation Service, later renamed Azure DevOps.

This invitation was part of a series of three designs known collectively as the "Golden Tickets," referencing the first invitation—the Exclusive Golden Ticket. The original design for this exclusive ticket featured gold foil, inspired directly by the golden tickets from the film "Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory." The foil color was subsequently changed to align with Visual Studio's new brand color, purple. A third, simpler invitation—the TFS Preview Invitation—was also produced for broader distribution.

The final pop-up invitation evolved significantly from an initial slide-out sleeve concept. During development, inspiration for the pop-up mechanism came from the book "ABC3D" (by Marion Bataille), which demonstrates various pop-up techniques. After extensive prototyping, one specific mechanism was adapted for the Visual Studio infinity logo due to its visual clarity and practical ease of mass production. The exterior sleeve utilized subtle matte UV ink detailing to reinforce the Visual Studio infinity symbol and provide tactile distinction.

At the 2011 //build conference, Satya Nadella—then President of Microsoft's Server and Tools division (later CEO)—introduced the Windows 8 Developer Tablet in his keynote. He specifically noted attendees would find an exclusive invitation within their kits, granting early access to a preview of a new Microsoft service. Nadella displayed this invitation on stage, highlighting its significance within Microsoft's developer ecosystem strategy.

Below are images illustrating the invitation's detailed design elements, including the final pop-up mechanism, matte UV ink detailing, infinity symbol, and internal access code card.