Progressive educators recognize that the learning process should not be limited to the classroom and the exchange between teachers and students. In fact, according to a 2013 Gallup State of America’s Schools Report, only 55% of K-12 students are engaged in the traditional learning process.

Introducing experiential graphics into built environments turns the building itself into an educator. Consider a simple example of  labeling a drinking fountain in multiple languages with engaging typography. Not only does this teach one how to say drinking fountain in other languages, it teaches a more subtle value of inclusiveness.

The value of ambient learning is not limited to the education industry. The truth is, every organization is in the business of educating. Businesses educate their employees and customers on their history, their processes, their products. Non-profit organizations educate their volunteers, donors and those they serve. Religious institutions educate their people as well. In fact, historically, churches have done a magnificent job through stained glass and art. Consider that Leonardo DaVinci’s famous “Last Supper” painting was commissioned for the Dominican monastery of Santa Maria delle Grazie.

If a picture is worth a thousand words, what pictures would make a difference in your building?  Schedule an appointment to explore what ambient learning could do for you.

See just a few of the examples of ambient learning we developed for Delta College below.

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Your building and office space is your chance to influence how people feel in your space and what they think about you and your company. Your name probably already exists on the outside of your building – and it should, to identify you. Do you really want to repeat the same thing inside your front doors? No. Let’s be honest, your guests already know your company name and so do your employees.

Your building should tell your story and your reception area is the first chapter.

Seize the opportunity to say something people don’t know about you, and don’t feel you must use words.  If your clients come in anxious or fearful, give them peace.  If it’s your staff that makes your company so special, show it. If you’re a non profit organization, show a picture that represents your mission. Please, just show or say something other than your company name.

Your goal is to create a conversation starter. No one is going to ask you about your name.

The picture above is a reception area we designed for an engineering firm. Not what you’d expect, right? Well neither is their innovative approach to what they do. We had the wall hand painted by a street artist. It’s a conversation starter with their guests…”Wow, tell me about that!”

Need help with this? Let’s talk.

The post What Not To Say In Your Reception Area appeared first on Ideation.

Our clients often call on us to help them re-imagine the exterior of their buildings. It could be a dentist that acquired an older practice. It could be a retailer or restaurant that is moving into a spot previously held by a similar business. It could be a manufacturer that wants to increase name and brand recognition. The reasons are nearly endless, but the goal is generally the same: to make people notice and express the brand.

While signage is part of the solution, something more is often needed. While the “more” could involve more expensive architectural changes or cladding, “more” can often be accomplished at a much lower cost with a well-designed exterior paint job. Usually, the client had budgeted to repaint the building anyway.

This is something we practice as we preach!  The above picture is of our new studio.  The incremental cost to paint the 3-color design shown was just 10% more than if we had painted it a single gray color!

Successful design doesn’t have to be expensive.  Schedule an appointment to re-imagine the exterior of your building or explore the Power of Paint.

The post The Power of Paint: More Bang for Your $ appeared first on Ideation.

Spreading the Logo Around Town

The brand first showed up at the entrances to City Hall with some new vinyl graphics.  After the vinyl went up, citizens commented that the doors themselves look new. Nope, just vinyl.

This brand doesn’t just sit around looking pretty. Last week RO brand was spotted getting dirty, clearing the streets of snow and ice. Go RO!

Of course, every brand needs a business card.

RO brand also lent a hand with new signage at the Farmer’s Market with a design that incorporated the functionality of an electronic message center while respecting the look and feel of the market.

While RO brand hasn’t shown up on street poles yet, it’s ready with something to say.

RO brand is proud of its city departments and services and intends to show it. Nine city departments, including the Department of Public Service received their own logos – kind of like RO brand’s kids – can you see the family resemblance?

RO brand likes to be worn.

So where did RO brand come from?  

Under the direction of Creative Director, Jon Moses, the team at Ideation hit the streets to talk with residents, business owners, city government leaders and city committee members. They spoke with the folks from the RO Historical Society, and some very opinionated people that weren’t even from RO! Along the way, the team brought their cameras to capture what RO was saying for itself.

The logo development recognized that people commonly used“RO” when referring to Royal Oak. It was time to give these letters a rightful place and a good look so that they could stand on their own. An angular line connects the R and the O for a subtle nod to Woodward Avenue, the iconic and historic road that bisects Royal Oak.

The modern and organic type used in the logo brings together the mix of urban downtown and traditional neighborhoods that make up Royal Oak, creating a new urban setting. The sunset-orange and cool-grey color scheme was chosen to reflect the energetic and playful nature of Royal Oak.

“If the new RO brand was given the mic, the message to communicate is Life Now Playing,” said Jon Moses. “For people that define life by what happens outside of work and sleep, Royal Oak is a great place. Whether it’s theater, sports, the zoo, 50+ parks, dining, shopping, or nightlife, it has it all. There’s no greater concentration of this kind of play anywhere else in Metro Detroit.”

The post Royal Oak: City Branding, Take it to the Streets appeared first on Ideation.