DESIGN TEAM CONTINUES TO GROW

 
Elke Schnittker and Ann Bartek came to us from very different paths.  They each have recently taken on direct design roles at DesignContact, working with Principal Tony Castrigno adding fresh ideas while drawing on the combined 50+ years of experience Tony and managing partner John Moyik bring to the work.

The team draws on the talents of designers like Elke Schnittker (top left) – whose architectural training brings a studied aesthetic as well as a critical eye on design to her work. Elke contributes to the design, creative development, ideation, and visualization on the projects she leads as well as those she collaborates on with the principals. These skills are complemented by her abilities in 3D and CAD, where she helps assure ideas and concepts become the drawings that bring them to life.

Bringing a theatrical sensibility to our studio is designer, Ann Bartek, (top right) whose critical mind is always seeking the “why” behind every detail and who brings a fresh perspective to our design solutions. She looks for the design to tell a visual story – be it branding, product or narrative – and that becomes the foundation of her thinking. Ann is also critical to the DesignContact workflow that assures a continuity of concept ‐‐ from idea to reality ‐‐ that is unparalleled in our business.

Please look for them as we introduce them to projects in their new roles. In the meantime, find them at:

Elke.Schnittker@DesignContact.com   or +1.212.792.2948

Ann.Bartek@DesignContact.com    or +1.212.792.2943

DesignContact's subsidiary, DC Connect recently launched the [i]connect Kiosk, which makes [i]cell technology available for the first time in an affordable, all-in-one, standalone kiosk. The reception of the technology has been strong as with [i]connect, museums, galleries and other exhibitors can take advantage of [i]cell technology’s unique “no-touch” interactive capabilities without the time and expense of a custom design and build.


You can see this techology at AAM and at Mutual Concerns in a few weeks.

The [i]connect Kiosk display is an easy to set up frame and graphic system with the monitor, computer and all the techology filling in a space  less than 4" thick!  Just plug in the power cord and you are set to go. No network connection is needed. The [i]connect Kiosk can be customized to include more cells, a larger panel and/or different face materials.

The newly introduced unit is already on its way to such diverse users as Southern California Edison and the Rancho Cucamonga Public Library.  The custom version of the technology has been used by Idaho National Labs, the Ah Tah Thi Ki msueum of the Seminole Indian Tribe, and pharmacuetical giant BAYER.

RETURN ON DESIGN (or icing on the cake)

Many companies have been looking to reduce their meeting and events budgets to the 'essentials'. Often this means looking at design elements - especially custom created ones - and seeing dollar signs --- for COSTS. Yet, few look at the INVESTMENT in a branded experience as having a real "return on design". Interactives, presentations, graphics, and demonstrations can all be persuasive, but the first, and often largest impression comes from the look and feel of the environment these elements live in.

A booth, stage set or exhibit that is by its nature relatively large and often relatively static is the constant in many visual schemes. It is seen first, seen by everyone, and is pervasive and omnipresent. It is also often the ONLY impression made on passers by- even if they are not drawn into the event. So missing a chance to use the environment to make an impression - or a series of impressions - that influences a visitor can be a real lost opportunity.

This is especially true when considering the huge base investment in getting the program up and running. Often the ("nice to have" but unaffordable) design elements are a very small percentage of the overall cost - but have the most impact. So cutting them reduces the potential ROI on the initial investment.

Think of it like ICING ON THE CAKE. You need to bake the cake, develop recipes, buy ingredients, put in the labor and have a place to display it and advertize to draw in customers - yet none of that sells the cake.

Good STRATEGICALLY CONCIEVED DESIGN has the same impact as the investment in the "icing" - it can and should MAKE THE REST OF THE INVESTMENT PAY OFF.

LIGHTING UNPLUGGED

DesignContact, working for AMCI Global of Marina Del Rey, developed a program for LEXUS That included these free standing, solar powered light trees. 

These units, with weighted bases and inbuilt lift points were dropped in position in moments and provided lighitng all night on a day's charge.  Battery packs in the base were charged by panels on the tops of each "branch".  Light sensitive switches turned the cells on at dusk and the LED light sources burned brightly all night, turning themselves off at dawn.

While used only for lighting in this application, there was ample power to supply juice for interactives and other applications.

Working with our sister company DC Connect, we are developing free standing [i]cell system technology interactives that are fully self sufficient for power and light, and impervious to weather.  More on that as it develops.

NCTA - MY WORLD STUDIOS

Wow- 27,000 square feet of scenery and new technology demos.  DesignContact created designs for the NCTA exhibit at CABLE 2010! at the LA Convention Center.

Have a look at just a few of the snapshots of the environments starting with the window of the WELCOME CENTER.  Peering in from the street you can see the Studio Briefing room and bits of the Studio Back Lot beyond. 

a panorama of the SPORTS BAR environment - with a dedicated Game Room, 3D Theater viewing area and new 3D Home Televisions.  YES - they are worth it!

This is a detail of the LOFT building -an environment created to house demos that show off technologies suited to the urban environment and upscale users.

and finally a glimpse at the exterior of the SINGLE FAMILY home which featured full home technologies that allowed you to move your entertainment and information with you as you travelled from room to room.

More to come in future posts, including a full rundown of the design for the show.

Is scenic scenery making a comeback?

A few recent projects have called for a refreshing revisit of traditional scenic design approaches. 

Two examples are our work for ADOBE on the MAX Users Conference at the NOKIA Theater designed for THE KENWOOD GROUP (top left)

and the National Cable Television Association (NCTA) CABLE!2010 at the LA Convention Center, designed for FREEMAN CREATIVE. (mid and bottom left)

In both cases, the call came for putting the attendee in a new environment that transported them from the theater and the convention hall respectively and immersed them in a world more closely related to the products and brand stories that needed to be told.                               

Then this week two new projects called for scenic solutions to the environment! We think there is a trend to this design approach as a refreshing alternative to the cooly abstract or trendy spaces that can feel disconnected from the customer experience.

More examples of these, and other projects can be had for a phone call +1.973.7463512 or an e:Mail to:
Tony.Castrigno@DesignContact.com

3D BRAINSTORMING at EXHIBITOR 2010

Join my partner John Moyik and me at EXHIBITOR 2010 for our hands on 3D Brainstorming program. The teams at the 2009 event had a great time and developed some creative solution and learned creative development skills that they can take back to their own teams.

http://www.exhibitoronline.com/exhibitorshow/2010/session.asp?ID=S602

 S602 HALF-DAY WORKSHOP: Build a Better Booth Design

Discover a new way to collaborate with your design team and vendors to develop a stand out exhibit design and strategy. Discover how this unique “3 Dimensional Brainstorming” technique can help a non-design professional/exhibit manager have more impact in the preliminary design phase. You will learn to:

   ---Bring a collaborative process to your booth team

   ---Utilize a fun “3-D Brainstorming” process

   ---Use visual tools to unlock creative ideas

   ---Develop solutions in a test case with your colleagues

   ---Develop ‘stand up’ experience to help communicate your ideas

An introduction and hands-on demonstration will allow you to experience the method first-hand.   Here are some photos from the 2009 event that give you an idea of what to expect.  This team created a tropical oasis for a portable ice machine and hot box. Then they pitched the idea to the other participants.  

Still another team developed a MEGA MACHINES booth for custom spray painting of automobiles from digital files.