We were one of five designers asked by Neenah Paper to create a poster for distribution at HOW Design Live in San Francisco. While the design criteria was totally open, Neenah Paper suggested a theme relating to San Francisco as the conference venue.

Our strategy was to create an image that would introduce out-of town-attendees to the scenic wonders that San Francisco has to offer in an a way that encourages participation and engagement. Our solution utilizes illustrations of San Francisco’s iconic landmarks to create the city’s name in letterforms, providing a typographic tour of San Francisco. Each landmark is keyed to descriptive text at the bottom of the poster, enabling viewers to discover useful facts and figures about the city.

The poster succeeded in introducing conference attendees to San Francisco’s major landmarks and providing a memorable keepsake of their visit. In addition, the poster was an effective promotion for Neenah Paper by demonstrating the company’s product in use and attracting attendees to the Neenah booth to receive a hand-signed poster. The poster was acquired by the U.S. Library of Congress’ Popular & Applied Graphic Art, Prints & Photographs Collection, home to one of the world’s most comprehensive poster collections, in recognition of “visually celebrating distinctive features of a world-class West Coast city with wit and imagination.”

Greenleaf Medical is a developer of a pioneering computerized hand evaluation system for hand surgeons. The objective was to create a visually interesting image to serve as art on the walls of hand clinics and offices of hand surgeons, building name recognition for the company without promoting a specific product.

Our solution combines an eclectic selection of hand artifacts and hand-related quotes, portraying the hand as a universal symbol of time and utility. The soft, gradated backgrounds create the effect of light emanating from the central hand image, symbolic of the healing process and appropriate for an audience of hand surgeons, hand therapists, and their patients.

The poster has become a much sought-after item for hand clinics and offices of hand surgeons, building strong name recognition and a progressive image for Greenleaf Medical among hand surgeons and therapists.

Greenleaf Medical is a developer of a pioneering computerized hand evaluation system for hand surgeons which provides unparalleled precision and accuracy in medical documentation. Targeted towards an audience of hand surgeons and therapists, the company needed trade ads for medical journals, product literature for sales presentations, and a poster for tradeshows. The objective of the product collateral was to highlight the major features, advantages, and benefits of the company’s system.

Our solution creates a series of two-sided trade ad inserts, enabling the ads to be used as product literature. Their modular composition enabled the individual ad inserts to combine to form an informational poster, while conveying the depth and versatility of the product. Ad No. 1 establishes the firm’s technology as the industry standard across the nation. Ad No. 2 conveys how saving time and resources adds value to a surgeon’s practice. Ad No. 3 contrasts the utility of the human hand with the technology of the company’s tools. Ad No. 4 emphasizes the benefits of the human element of global network support.

The modular compositional organization allows the individual ad inserts/product literature to form an informational poster with equal effectiveness, extending the functionality of the individual components and optimizing the value for the client. The collateral program enabled the startup company’s technology to become the standard in the industry.

We were asked by Neenah Paper to create a limited edition print for their “Beauty of Letterpress” series, whose concept and design were developed by TPD Design House of Wayne, PA. Sales of the print would support the Hamilton Wood Type & Printing Museum in Two Rivers, WI, dedicated to the preservation, study and use of wood type in letterpress printing.

Our solution creates a tribute to the “Beauty of Letterpress” using the iconic tools of letterpress as illustrative typographic forms, engaging viewers in discovering the tools within the typography. These amazing tools and processes, which have survived for centuries, connect art + craft, designer + printer, and paper + impression. We also sought to convey letterpress as “The Art of Making an Impression” by demonstrating the medium’s many wonderfully dimensional qualities. The platen press wheel and gear, ink blob and woodblock letters, and ink brayer streak illustrate the depth of color created by overprinting. The composing stick, line gauge, and dot screen showcase the ability of letterpress to transform fine detail into a delightfully tactile experience.

The poster succeeded in creating an impressive showcase for Neenah Paper’s Crane’s LETTRA 90 lb. Cover Ecru White, whose quality, color, and texture effectively convey a timeless character while displaying the depth of impression that makes letterpress unique. The limited edition print was an overwhelming success, with over 100 posters sold on www.thebeautyofletterpress.com to support the Hamilton Museum.

AIGA SF is the San Francisco Chapter of AIGA, the professional association for design. This poster was designed to announce a lecture by noted author Ralph Caplan on the work of design icons Charles and Ray Eames.

Our solution uses the Eames’ problem-solving methodology and seminal work in furniture, exhibitions, film, and graphics as “A Thousand Points of Departure” for the designer’s thought process, inspiring designers to succeed in evolving design further, or in “Getting Away from Eames.” The poster’s unique angled trim serves to metaphorically push boundaries while functioning as a point of departure from the traditional rectangular poster.

The poster’s unique approach generated tremendous interest and enthusiasm for the lecture, leading to a standing room only audience for the author.

AIGA SF is the San Francisco Chapter of AIGA, the professional association for design. The AIGA SF Membership Trading Cards are a series of five cards promoting chapter membership, highlighting unique aspects of the chapter and important membership benefits.

Our solution focuses upon the qualities that make the Bay Area and AIGA SF unique: as a laboratory of innovation, a home to championship teams, a location of scenic beauty, a center for creative endeavors, and a place that embraces diversity and new ideas. The organization’s robust programming slate is referenced on the back of every card and incorporated into the front designs. The cards’ diverse design approach conveys AIGA SF’s commitment to providing value for every creative professional.

The trading cards succeeded in promoting the qualities which make the AIGA SF chapter unique, the chapter’s creative diversity, and the many benefits of membership.

ArtCenter College of Design, located in Pasadena, California, is one of the world’s leading design schools, with prominent alumni in the fields of advertising, graphic design, illustration, photography, film, fine art, product design, transportation design, and environmental design. Known for its orange dot symbol, the school sought a logo for its alumni council that would represent the diversity of ArtCenter and its alumni while being a brand all alumni could identify with and embrace.

Our solution uses the school’s iconic orange dot to form a circle of creative individuals connected by a shared transformative educational experience, conveying a sense of community, support, and unity. The logo’s orange dots represent alumni from every design discipline and corner of the globe, offering unique perspectives and different points of view.

Alumni response to the logo has been overwhelmingly positive, as ArtCenter’s familiar orange dot is used in a way that brings people together and promotes a strong sense of connection to the school.

Sun Microsystems Worldwide Operations is a program of initiatives to promote a unified direction for the technology company’s worldwide operations in working with clients, vendors, and employees. The objective was to create a cohesive logo system which would clearly differentiate each of the six initiatives while conveying Sun’s unique corporate culture.

Our solution is composed of arrows, conveying energy, movement, and direction, embodying Sun Chairman and CEO Scott McNealy’s belief in focusing one’s efforts and “putting all the wood behind one arrow.” The symbols’ hand-drawn quality reflects Sun’s innovative, creative, and customer-friendly corporate culture. The unique color palette expresses the company’s progressive approach while clearly differentiating each initiative.

The logos created a cohesive system which clearly distinguished each initiative, capturing Sun’s unique corporate culture and succeeding in being widely embraced by Sun employees worldwide.

DCM is a leading Silicon Valley venture capital firm with significant investments in China. As the first U.S.-based venture capital company to host a Chinese New Year celebration in China itself, our challenge was to create a series of event identities to welcome the Lunar New Year and demonstrate DCM’s strong commitment to its technology ventures in China and throughout Asia.

Inspired by the art of Chinese paper cutting, our solutions for the Year of the Dog, Boar, Rat, and Ox use DCM’s initials to create proprietary Chinese lunar calendar animals, expressing the firm’s bold, confident outlook for their investments in China.

The logos were highly successful, establishing DCM as one of the leading Silicon Valley venture capital firms investing in China.

DCM is a leading Silicon Valley venture capital firm with significant investments in China. DCM was the first U.S.-based venture capital company to host a Lunar New Year Celebration in China itself. The objective was for the event to promote networking among their entrepreneurs and investors and demonstrate a strong commitment to the firm’s technology ventures in China and throughout Asia.

Inspired by the art of Chinese paper cutting, our campaign for the Year of the Rat uses DCM’s initials to create a proprietary Chinese lunar calendar animal. The party invitation uses the company’s initials to create the Chinese lunar calendar animal. The invitation’s pop-up format signifies a bold, confident outlook for the firm’s technology ventures in China. The gradated pattern of rats on the back of the invitation and envelope playfully suggests the concept of attendees gathering to celebrate and network. The new year card combines vertical Chinese typography with horizontal English typography, employing metallic gold foil to create a festive appeal. The gift bag conveys the concept of yin and yang through its wrap-around motif and alternating color scheme. The bag spines use Chinese and English new year greetings to create a vibrant typographic pattern.

The campaign was highly successful, instilling a collaborative culture among DCM’s entrepreneurs and investors and establishing DCM as one of the leading Silicon Valley venture capital firms investing in China.

ArtCenter College of Design, located in Pasadena, California, is one of the world’s leading design schools. DOT Launch is the school’s new entrepreneurial initiative dedicated to “Empowering Design Entrepreneurs,” providing enterprising ArtCenter designers with the knowledge, experience and resources to develop new entrepreneurial opportunities and models. Our objective was to create a unique, compelling, and memorable branding program that would clearly communicate the DOT Launch mission, connect the entrepreneurial initiative to the school, and resonate with ArtCenter students, faculty, and alumni.

Our design strategy was to introduce DOT Launch to its audience, connect the entrepreneurial initiative to the school, and convey the initiative’s mission. The logo, tagline, secondary symbols are used in a strategic manner to create a flexible, cohesive, and comprehensive program. Each application of the branding program sought to further the ideas and objectives of the entrepreneurial initiative. As ArtCenter is known for its iconic orange dot symbol, the DOT Launch logo uses the orange dot to connect the initiative to the school. The soaring rocket metaphor symbolizes the launch of new enterprises and innovative businesses achieving lift off. The logo also creates a symbolic pencil point, as many great design concepts originate with a simple pencil sketch. The tagline clearly defines the initiative’s focus, identifies its audience and reinforces the launch theme. A wide variety of signature configurations results in an extremely flexible branding system. The animated intro connects the rocket launch to a pencil point as the genesis for innovative design ideas. The secondary symbol system places ArtCenter’s orange dot at the center of each of the entrepreneurial initiative’s core aspirations. The business card creates a rocket exhaust trail with its typography. The t-shirt uses a striking black background to introduce the brand. The award recognizes partners, mentors, and entrepreneurs, using the logo to create a unique dimensional form.

The response to the DOT Launch branding program from students, alumni, faculty, and partners has been overwhelmingly positive. The program has inspired participation from students in entrepreneurship and licensing, mentoring by alumni, engagement from faculty, and collaboration with partners. Most important, DOT Launch is changing the way educational institutions teach, mentor, and inspire design entrepreneurs, positioning ArtCenter at the forefront of educational efforts to successfully integrate design and entrepreneurship.

iAsiaWorks is a leading Internet data center and hosting services provider for the Asia-Pacific region. Our objective was to create a branding program which would convey the firm’s deep technological expertise and be widely embraced throughout Asia.

Our solution for the logo combines a classic Asian motif with an integrated circuit, conveying a sense of connection, integration, and the linking of cultures through technology. The tagline: “Global Technology. Asian Focus.” clearly defines the company’s worldwide technological strength and targeted geographic focus. The presentation folder uses the logo as an Asian string-tie clasp to provide prospective clients in Asia with the experience of unwrapping a gift. The folder pockets use embossed circles to simulate the rivets of an Asian door and create the shape of a Chinese moon gate, symbolic of iAsiaWorks’ role in providing its customers with a gateway into Asia. The letterhead front features a large watermark of the logo. The back uses an outline version of the logo to suggest gold embroidery on red silk. The envelope flap uses a pattern of circles derived from the logo. The back of each business card combines to form a complete logo to symbolize the firm’s team approach to client service.

iAsiaWorks’ strong visual presence and cohesive branding program resonated across a broad spectrum of Asian countries, was instrumental to enabling the company’s rapid growth and successful initial public offering.

Give Something Back International is a non-profit foundation providing life-changing educational opportunities for children worldwide, founded on the belief that early education can make the greatest difference in the direction of a young person’s life.

Our solution for the logo uses arrows to create a child’s profile and form a virtuous circle of giving, inspiring global change and international understanding. The elementary school lettering reflects the foundation’s educational mission. The primary color palette represents the organization’s commitment to diversity and multinational scope. The program’s symbols are used to express the purpose of each stationery element: the profile on the letterhead depicts a perceptive young mind, the globe on the envelope evokes international correspondence, the arrow on the mailing label suggests giving back, and the heart on the notecard expresses donor appreciation. On the business cards, the foundation’s symbols are used as die-cut flaps, enabling each staff member to use a different icon to highlight their personal contact information. Corporate information is revealed upon lifting the flap.

Our versatile branding system has helped to establish the foundation as a vital, dynamic, progressive organization that is positively impacting the lives of several hundred young recipients, demonstrating that education can help change the world.

Xinet is a leading developer of network server software for digital asset management for prepress, printing, and publishing. The objectives of the stationery were to utilize the elements of the Xinet brand in a unique manner and showcase the capabilities of the Xinet software in use through state-of-the-art printing techniques.

Our solution for the logo uses a restaurant server as a metaphor for network file serving software which is compatible with a variety of media. The stationery system uses a unique cropmark-inspired typographic system on each element to symbolize print production. The angled edge on the letterhead and envelope flap reference the product’s proprietary trapezoidal packaging. The die-cut X-shape of the fold-over business card evokes the company name and reflects the firm’s cutting-edge technology. The back of the letterhead and business card feature an overlapping pattern of the software’s technical features and benefits. The stationery system’s technical complexity was designed to showcase the state-of-the-art printing techniques enabled by the Xinet prepress software and resonate with the firm’s printing-oriented audience.

The stationery system succeeded in utilizing the logo and secondary design motifs in a unique manner and incorporating unusual printing techniques, positioning the company as an innovator within the industry.

Our solution links the event’s holiday theme to the cause of adult literacy by creating a Christmas tree which transforms into a tree of knowledge. The viewer first encounters a die-cut window in the shape of a Christmas tree, which reveals a statement about literacy, then the formal invitation, and finally a symbolic tree composed of open books. The invitation’s tree-shaped die-cut becomes a holiday ornament/bookmark given to attendees as a functional, year round keepsake of DCM’s event and Project READ’s mission. As the shape is die-cut from the front cover, there is no waste.

Our client was extremely pleased with the invitation, as the party drew twice as many guests as expected and functioned as a highly successful fundraiser for Project READ.

DCM is a leading Silicon Valley venture capital firm. The firm’s holiday party featured a holiday magic theme to represent the party’s entertainment of live magic performances throughout the evening.

Our solution creates a set of magic cards, using the magician’s white gloves to spell out the firm’s DCM initials on the front of each card, while representing the “Dynamic,” “Collaborative,” and “Motivated” attributes of the firm on the back of each card.

Our client was extremely pleased with the invitation, it generated a substantial increases in attendance over the previous year. The invitation, in addition to informing recipients about the party, was also able to convey the company’s values and aspirations.

DCM is a leading Silicon Valley venture capital firm with significant investments in Asia. The offering memorandum’s objective was to attract limited partners to invest in the firm’s innovative new $350 million technology fund.

Our solution uses a transparent plastic cover and familiar financial symbols to interactively reveal the clear difference their fund offers investors. In sharp contrast to the typical 8.5" x 11" prospectus, the book’s oversize format and dramatic presentation reflects the firm’s strong commitment to the fund. As DCM has many Asian investors, the traditional Japanese binding symbolizes the firm’s dedication to old world due diligence in making successful new technology investments. The financial symbols function as a coding device on each spread to guide the reader. Bold, graphic divider pages open each section, and red-bordered case studies support the fund’s investment strategies. The four elements of Fund Differentiation create a pace-changing photo essay in the front of the book. A Formula I pit crew creates a metaphor for the venture capital firm’s role of performing as a team of experts enabling a start-up company to quickly get on track. The firm’s world-class expertise in international business development is exemplified by the Olympic ideals of competition and achievement. As successful venture investing is essentially about personal relationships, full body portraits allow each partner to express their own unique personality and character. A palm-reading metaphor conveys the forecasting and direction of future technologies in a very human and memorable manner.

The book’s compelling content and impressive presentation conveyed DCM’s confidence in the fund’s performance, and enabled the fund to sell out with committed investors faster than any of the firm’s previous funds.

Applied Materials is the world’s leading manufacturer of semiconductor fabrication equipment. The company’s Technical Seminars are attended by silicon wafer engineers and fabrication specialists from around the world. The invitation series included a seminar program invite, cocktail reception invite, and two save-the-date postcards.

Our solution for the seminar invitation juxtaposes Scanning Electron Microscope images of silicon wafer coatings with X-rays of common everyday objects, conveying conference themes in a fresh, engaging manner and encouraging audience participation in deciphering their meaning. The invitation’s unique shape is inspired by the company’s wafer fabrication chambers, with die cut corners and drilled holes to simulate the rivets of the machines. The matte film lamination provided a silky, smooth surface for the X-ray visuals and a polished, metallic finish for the wafer chamber backgrounds. Expressive typography was used throughout the program, integrating graphics and special effects to enhance meaning. “Solutions” bends behind a lightbulb, “Plant” grows in scale, “Mix” blends different fonts together, and “Move”creates motion to convey speed. The color palette provides an unexpected look for their industry, combining subtle, sophisticated blue, green, and yellow hues with silver for the company’s polished aluminum wafer fabrication equipment and copper for the firm’s wafer coatings.

The response to the invitation series was overwhelmingly positive, as the “microscopic metaphors” resonated strongly with the engineers and fabrication specialists, generating a significant increase in seminar attendance.

Symantec is the world’s largest maker of utility and security software for personal computers, sought a product brochure that would convey the depth of their solutions in productivity, security, and remote access software.

Our solution uses the company’s mission statement on the cover to clearly define what Symantec does and how its customers benefit, expressing their products’s innovative features as valuable customer benefits. On each spread, the mission statement appears as an interface-inspired pull down menu, highlighting a key word to identify each product category. Conceptual photography and expressive typography are employed to convey a compelling user-focused message. An expanding gear creates a powerful metaphor for software which increases productivity. A hand and globe combine to symbolize the safety provided by the industry-leading Norton AntiVirus software. The stark contrast of a computer being fully functioning and awake vs. malfunctioning and asleep conveys the difference provided by the category-leading Norton Utilities software. A series of interconnected globes evokes the company’s remote access software which enables users to be productive anywhere in the world.

The project provided lasting value for Symantec, as the brochure was able to be reused for several years by updating the box art as needed, and the evocative images enjoyed extended use as corporate art throughout Symantec headquarters.

Star Wars Chronicles, published by Chronicle Books, is a 216-page “coffee table” quality collection of photographs, props, production stills, and sketches from the Lucasfilm archives for fans of the Star Wars trilogy. Our objective was to create a slipcase and book cover that was as innovative as the movies themselves.

Our solution for the slipcase uses a die-cut shape inspired by a TIE Fighter wing to create a unique “window” into the world of Star Wars. The instantly recognizable silhouettes of the movies’ characters are showcased through die-cut squares evoking film sprocket holes. The viewer opens the slipcase to reveal the book cover’s horizontal vignettes which capture key scenes throughout the trilogy. The classic typographic treatment on the cover, title, and divider pages evoke the overlapping, riveted metal plates of the Star Wars space ships and vehicles.

The slipcase and cover succeeded in conveying a unique and memorable experience for the viewer, utilizing the die-cuts to provide a window into the world of Star Wars and introduce its characters in an engaging manner.

Imaginarium is a market-leading developer of learning and educational toys. The retail chain was seeking to establish its own brand in stores. For its own brand of hoppity-hop ball, their marketing objectives were to represent the product in use while providing a family look for Imaginarium-branded products.

Our solution emphasizes the concept of fun by integrating the child and product into the logotype in an appropriately playful manner, utilizing a starburst to convey energy. The box’s brightly colored panels provide a multitude of in-store display possibilities, while the checkerboard base provides a unifying family look for the Imaginarium product line.

The package succeeded in displaying the product in use and enjoyment of the child. The different colored box panels and checkerboard base provided a distinctive family look for Imaginarium-branded products.

Quorum Equal is an innovative application adapter software program which enables users to seamlessly run Macintosh applications on Windows platforms. As the software is relatively expensive, Quorum sought to convey an appropriately premium positioning.

Our solution metaphorically illustrates the program’s many product benefits as a virtual burst of activity, conveying the power and versatility of a truly breakthrough product within the software industry. The energetic illustration utilizes visual metaphors to convey the myriad of product features, advantages and benefits in a synergistic manner. The box panels’ metallic copper, embossed ribbing, and rich detail combine to create an distinctive, upscale, high-quality positioning, reflecting the software’s value.

The end result is a distinctly upscale image reminiscent of fine chocolate or high-end cosmetics, providing an eye-catching and novel approach to the consumer software category, and strong initial sales.

Off-Site Records Management is a Silicon Valley-based records and information management firm providing a complete range of document storage and retrieval services. Off-Site supplies document storage boxes to its customers, which typically remain in customer’s offices for several months prior to being shipped to Off-Site’s storage facility.

Our strategy was to transform this utilitarian object into a “moving billboard” for the company. Our solution used Off-Site’s descriptive name as an overlapping, layered graphic to create a metaphor for customers moving their documents “off-site,” enabling the individual boxes to form a continuous pattern when stacked. On the lid, the logo’s dimensional boxes form a circle to represent the firm’s complete range of document storage solutions. On the box bottom, the logo’s six-sided shape outlines the box assembly in six simple steps.

Customer response was overwhelmingly positive, and the boxes have become an important source of revenue and new clients for the company.

Off-Site Records Management is a Silicon Valley-based records and information management firm providing a complete range of document storage and retrieval services. The objective of the shred truck graphics were to extend the company brand in a compelling and memorable manner.

Our solution used Off-Site’s descriptive name and gradation to create a metaphor for customers moving their documents “off-site. The graphics showcase the company name on one side and the logo on the other. The logo’s dimensional boxes suggest space and storage, forming a circle to represent the access, retrieval and linking of information. The shredder mechanism is highlighted in orange and engages the viewer by asking, “Have you shredded your confidential records?” The top of the truck functions as a moving billboard to display the firm’s complete range of document storage solutions.

The shred truck graphics exceeded client expectations, eliciting compliments from customers and resulting in a significant increase in new business inquiries. Off-Site’s increased visibility and name recognition enabled the company to establish itself as one of the Bay Area’s leading document storage firms and compete with national chains for coveted Silicon Valley accounts.

Chronicle Books is an innovative publisher of high-quality illustrated books on design, food, literature, collectibles, pop culture, and travel. For the company’s tradeshow at the American Booksellers Association Show, Chronicle sought to convey they are a publisher who “sees things differently.”

Our solution for the publisher’s 30' x 30' cross-aisle exhibit represented a striking departure from the typical bookseller displays consisting of rows of bookshelves and backlit light boxes. Each display represented the values Chronicle stood for, using a giant gear, ladder, staircase, and abstract figure as metaphors for work, progress, attainment, and humanity. These symbolic elements combined to form a highly engaging environment for attendees, using a Constructivist aesthetic and simple, basic materials to create a “machine” for the display of books. Natural maple and galvanized aluminum panels provide the ideal neutral backdrops to highlight Chronicle’s colorful collection.

The eye-catching tradeshow became a must-see for show attendees, as the booth broke new ground in what a booksellers booth could be, and what an exhibit could convey about a company. The highly unusual exhibit helped the San Francisco-based publisher stand out within the New York dominated publishing industry as a firm who “sees things differently,” and was instrumental to creating a unique market niche for the specialty publisher.

The Chronicle Books GiftWorks division develops greeting cards, appointment books, calendars and stationery items. The publisher sought to introduce its new GiftWorks division at the American Booksellers Association Show by devoting half of its space to the new venture.

Our solution for the firm’s 20' x 30' cross-aisle exhibit incorporates a GiftWorks side and Chronicle Books side. The GiftWorks section features display units inspired by roll-top desks, with compartments for greeting cards and desk-height shelves for appointment books. A four-headed “man for all seasons” calendar rack incorporates swinging arms, allowing product viewing from all directions. The Chronicle Books section features modular display units which roll out of their crates and are ready for use with a minimum of exhibitor setup time, forming the profile of a human figure when configured back-to-back. The fixtures’ shelving grid accommodates both books and graphic panels, and the storage cabinet doors use a decorative typographic pattern to spell out “Chronicle Books.” Natural maple and galvanized aluminum provide the ideal neutral backdrops to highlight Chronicle’s colorful collection.

The unique trade show environment stood out by not looking like a tradeshow booth, but a relaxed, inviting store-like environment for browsing, referencing the casual ambiance of an espresso bar or art gallery. Chronicle was able to use the displays in their corporate lobby when not at tradeshows, eliminating booth storage costs.

Applied Materials is the world’s leading manufacturer of semiconductor equipment. The challenge was to create a compelling tradeshow environment for the company at SEMICON/West, the industry’s largest and most important conference, attracting silicon wafer engineers from around the world.

Our “magic of innovation” theme invites attendees to “imagine, discover, and explore,” connecting a child’s youthful inspiration with science to the company’s innovative technology. Utilizing the massive scale of the company’s 100’ x 100’ exhibit to its fullest advantage, 20’ high backlit theatrical screens create a powerful impression upon the viewer, magically transforming images of children exploring science into Applied Materials’ state-of-the-art wafer fabrication equipment, flanked by 20’ high rotating reflective wafers on each side. Connecting the company’s products to the “innovation” theme, eye-catching motorized displays incorporate silicon wafers in highly symbolic forms: as a revolving flower for technological growth, spinning globes for worldwide expansion, interlocking gears for company productivity, and rotating discs for industry momentum; all with cloud backgrounds representing the unlimited potential for innovation. As a metaphor for entering the world of semiconductors, attendees can enter the back of the booth through a giant 24’ diameter wafer opening.

The exhibit succeeded in generating a substantial increase in attendance, creating high-volume foot traffic, and increasing the number of customer leads over the previous year. Applied Materials reported that the booth “exceeded all expectations,” and was “our best booth ever,” with their audience finding the exhibit theme to be “refreshing, inspiring and memorable.”

Applied Materials is the world’s leading manufacturer of semiconductor equipment. The challenge was to create a compelling tradeshow environment for the company at SEMICON/West, the industry’s largest and most important conference, attracting silicon wafer engineers from around the world.

Our “magic of innovation” theme invites attendees to “imagine, discover, and explore,” connecting a child’s youthful inspiration with science to the company’s innovative technology. Utilizing the massive scale of the company’s 100’ x 100’ exhibit to its fullest advantage, 20’ high backlit theatrical screens create a powerful impression upon the viewer, magically transforming images of children exploring science into Applied Materials’ state-of-the-art wafer fabrication equipment, flanked by 20’ high rotating reflective wafers on each side. Connecting the company’s products to the “innovation” theme, eye-catching motorized displays incorporate silicon wafers in highly symbolic forms: as a revolving flower for technological growth, spinning globes for worldwide expansion, interlocking gears for company productivity, and rotating discs for industry momentum; all with cloud backgrounds representing the unlimited potential for innovation. As a metaphor for entering the world of semiconductors, attendees can enter the back of the booth through a giant 24’ diameter wafer opening.

The exhibit succeeded in generating a substantial increase in attendance, creating high-volume foot traffic, and increasing the number of customer leads over the previous year. Applied Materials reported that the booth “exceeded all expectations,” and was “our best booth ever,” with their audience finding the exhibit theme to be “refreshing, inspiring and memorable.”

Qualys is the leading provider of on demand security audits to identify and protect against network vulnerabilities. The challenge was to create a compelling tradeshow environment for the company at the RSA Conference, the world’s largest information security technology showcase, demonstrating technological advances in network infrastructure protection, identification of vulnerabilities, and e-commerce security.

Our solution for Qualys’ 30' x 40' booth uses bold, iconic security metaphors to establish the company’s “Security On Demand” theme. The reception target wall conveys the firm’s focus on targeting network vulnerabilities while inviting a clear view of the presentation stage. The theater structure suggests scanning waves while providing high-key lighting and surround sound for the audience. Stools with clocks of 12 major international cities symbolize 24/7 global network security. The plasma screen’s fluorescent rings and podium’s vertical lines represent Qualys’ state-of-the-art scanning technology. The giant padlock with rotating shield logo functions as a powerful symbol of network security, projecting a strong corporate presence across the hall. The lock’s keyhole entryway opens to a clean, calming all-white conference room for private meetings. Key-shaped workstations embedded with computer code demonstrate network security solutions.

The trade show was an unqualified success, creating high-volume foot traffic and generating important customer leads. In addition, the iconic booth became the visual anchor for nightly news coverage of the RSA Conference, providing valuable exposure and visibility for Qualys.

The IBM Software Station provides a revolutionary new way for national computer retail chains to market software via kiosk. As the industry’s first “software vending machine,” it utilizes satellite transmission technology to enable customers to demo, order, and take delivery directly from the kiosk, allowing customers access to the most up-to-date versions at all times.

Our solution combines space station and satellite metaphors to create an eye-catching kiosk with a sculptural in-store presence. The logo uses emanating waves and an outstretched hand to convey the electronic transmission of software direct to consumers. The rotating signage ring signals the arrival of a revolutionary new way to buy software. The symbols on the face of the kiosk share the visual language and launch pad color scheme of the logo, providing the customer with step-by-step instructions and conveying the benefits of this innovative new purchasing experience. The front doors slide out to enable access to the kiosk’s CD burner and label printer. The rear eggcrate structure provides ventilation, access, and ease of maintenance.

The kiosk succeeded in being both futuristic and approachable, providing customers with a more direct, interactive, and efficient purchasing experience. The ground-breaking concept eliminates costly packaging and conserves valuable retail floor space, enabling high-volume sales from a compact footprint. The project provided hardware-based IBM with a strong presence in retail software while furthering their reputation as an industry innovator.