For anyone entering a corporate office, the lobby provides an impactful first impression that speaks directly to the company’s brand. The lobby presents the perfect opportunity to communicate a sense of culture, aesthetic, and connection with clients and colleagues. Best of all, lobbies designed with customized elements have a quicker and more positive impact with visitors.

Lobbies Have a Message

A thoughtful design communicates the message of your company’s mission and vision. It sets the right mood, conveys authenticity, and shows creativity. Even on shoestring budgets, the lobby is a presentation of the brand, which should be reassuring to clients and employees, alike.

This area in the Power Design building is just off the entryway, so it’s one of the first things you see. It is not just a beautiful display, it is also a learning center.

Lobbies can affect employee morale, as well as client trust. Meanwhile, offices and cubicles do not have as much of an impact, because of the expectation that they should be more functional. Having the right design in place for your first impression establishes your brand quickly and the overall health of the company.

Fundamental Design Elements

Expressing your brand shouldn’t affect the critical elements of a lobby, such as:

Flow of traffic
Reception area
Security
Amount of space

Good design can disrupt our typical way of thinking about these aspects of a lobby. Designing customized elements can reinvent the layout. So, when thinking about customized elements, always keep the following three foundational design concepts in mind:

Colors

Color creates an emotional and immediate impression. It shows authenticity. Your brand already has a color palette, so the lobby shouldn’t veer from it. More colorful rooms require more complementary colors. Choosing the wrong colors will clash with the logo on your wall.

Materials

Much of the character in your lobby comes from the materials you choose. Using eco-friendly and sustainable materials speaks directly to your company culture. Other things to consider are durability and functionality.

Spirit

Does your lobby speak to the mission and vision of the company? Unique and thoughtful elements can be customized to act as something more than a visual representation. These represent the spirit of your company.

This gorgeous lobby for Superior Fence showcases their products in a unique way. Natural materials, a neutral color palette, and simple industrial style lighting add a sophisticated touch.

No other space in an office carries as much weight as the lobby, so businesses large and small need to invest in a thoroughly planned design that fits their budget. ADM Two can custom build and design any element of your lobby. We are experts on fabrication, so give us a call at (813) 887-1960 and one of our knowledgeable staff can assist you with your lobby updates and redesign.

Blog (Exhibit Insight), Design, Displays, Portable Display, Trade Show

Creating Value with Portable Booths

2018-11-14 Tony Ricci

Portable inline booths can be incredibly effective. If you are strategic about the way you lay out and staff your booth, you can enjoy the savings and ease of setup that comes with having a modern inline exhibit with the return on investment of a much larger booth.

We recently ran into an article in one of our favorite trade show publications, Exhibitor Magazine, about ways to maximize small exhibits. Read more in the article, Strategic Small-Booth Designs. This is an incredibly useful guide for those wishing to exhibit on a smaller scale. Below you will find an info-graphic that provides a quick checklist of features to include in your booth, depending on your goals.

It so happens that we are having a sale on our portable exhibits as well. Please visit our IDEA GALLERY for 10% off our portable inline exhibits.

Blog (Exhibit Insight), Displays, Interactive Displays, Museum Exhibit

Museum Exhibit Updates Reflect the Audience

2018-10-31 Tony Ricci

It’s easy enough to spot the daily wear and tear on interactive museum exhibits. Display units will also show some wear over time or simply go out of fashion, which means that they’ll need to be updated as well. However, it’s harder to know when exhibits are no longer engaging with patrons. Over time, identifying and providing engagement becomes an even bigger enigma for museums because exhibit updates need to appeal to an increasingly informed and demanding contemporary audience, while also recouping the expense of those often expensive updates.

The important thing to keep in mind is that the exhibits themselves can help museum directors expand their reach into the communities they serve. Diversifying the mix of people visiting the museum increases the percentage of the community members supporting the mission. And, when each visitor can say they had a good experience, the museum will establish an even stronger relationship with the greater community.

The Star Wars exhibit at the Museum of Fine Arts St. Petersburg appealed to a wide variety of people of all ages. Plus it was such a pleasure to help design and build.

Strategies to Capture More Visitors

There are four different exhibit orientations that provide opportunities for capturing a visitors attention:

Exhibit as artifact on display
An exhibit that communicates ideas
Interactive exhibits
An immersive environment

Any updates to an exhibit should follow these closely and fulfill the participant’s expectations. If an exhibit is not well matched with the audience, then they may not be enthusiastic for another visit. So, it’s in the museum’s best interest to provide the widest range of exhibit orientations without straying from their mission. Performing some research into the audience and opting to create ever-green, lasting exhibits can help create a strong foundation.

Audience, First

When reaching out to new audiences, it will be easier to place them into segments, rather than large ethnic or socio-economic groups. Understanding the target segment provides a greater opportunity for connection. Focusing on only one exhibit orientation may have a negative effect with these new segments. Do some research into your community and use your local Chamber of Commerce as a resource to access data about the community. Consider focus groups as a way to assess your community’s mindset and specific needs. We’ve actually participated in a focus group for a local St. Petersburg museum. It was quite interesting and we noticed that the programming and special exhibits have become more and more spectacular since they started the focus groups. It’s definitely worth the investment, as long as you use the resulting data to take action.

This exhibit appeals to a particular audience segment – children. Being that it is the Suncoast Youth Conservation Center, it is only appropriate that the content and style are geared towards kids.

Quality Does Matter

Quality design of exhibits and space will capture more interactions with visitors. According to the Smithsonian, the quality of a museum is largely based on the exhibit’s:

Use of authoritative presentations
Easy-to-use technology
Easy-to-do interactions
Graphic design
Educational focus

There is also a greater expectation that museums provide a more quality experience over other community attractions, even though they are not necessarily in the same category.

Exhibit to Promote Learning

Engaging museum exhibits can facilitate personal and group learning. A good exhibit links to past experiences and everyday events. Any updates to interactivity can promote more identification with the exhibits, as well as the proper interpretation of the exhibit. This will integrate a broader range of audiences and create deeper, developmental experiences.

ADM Two custom designs museum exhibits. We are experts on design, fabrication, and exhibit technology, so give us a call at (813) 887-1960 and one of our knowledgeable staff can assist you with your museum exhibit design and planning. Also, check out some of our other articles to get more information on museum displays.

Blog (Exhibit Insight), Trade Show

Calculating Trade Show ROI Is Easier Than You Think

2018-09-18 Susan Canonico

Trade shows are gaining momentum this year. With each show, companies are engaging their customers in positive ways that build a community and solidify relationships. And, making in-booth sales has become so much easier with cloud-based technologies. So why is it that measuring ROI from your trade show is often misunderstood? Because we often forget to add the value of each impression made at the show.

Meeting Your Goals

Each show you appear at should have several main goals. Sales and branding are typically the big ones. These goals are determined prior to the show because they need to align with your organization’s goals. There are numbers-based goals that focus on sales and costs. These are easy to quantify, as well as the ROI for the event. But, the value associated with communication related objectives, such as rebranding, will come from your current advertising costs, which makes it possible to calculate ROI related to your communication efforts.

Exposure and Impressions

You can calculate the value of each impression made at a trade show based on the average cost per impression from your advertising. If you spend $100,000 on advertising each year and reach 10,000 people, then your cost per impression is $10. Now, if there were 15,000 trade show attendees, then your value of those impressions is $150,000, or $15 per impression.

Calculating ROI

To determine the return on the show, you need to the actual and potential revenue from the show. Many of those leads are still in the sales funnel, so don’t forget about them. Then, add the value of total impressions made. The investment in the show can be calculated when the final trade show expenses come in:

ROI = (RETURN – INVESTMENT)

INVESTMENT

Remember, your return also has the total value of those impressions. So, when you include them, you’ll quickly see how your ROI can increase substantially.

If you’re looking to make some great impressions with potential customers, the ADM Two staff are experts on display design and fabrication, so give us a call at (813) 887-1960. No matter where your event takes place, one of our knowledgeable staff can assist you with your trade show needs. Also, check out some of our other articles to get more information on trade show booth layout and trade show graphics.

Blog (Exhibit Insight), Hybrid Trade Show Booth, Trade Show, Trade Show Customization

The Many Facets of Trade Show Audiences

2018-07-11 Shannon Bennett

When it comes to trade shows, if you try to target everyone in the audience, you’ll target no one. Doing some basic research on your audience well in advance of your next show will help you capture more attention. Then you can tailor your messaging, sales materials and presentations to increase leads and the return on your investment.

Each Show Is Different

The size of the show should not affect your marketing efforts. Smaller shows have fewer attendees, yet there tend to be more decision makers in the crowd. These shows provide more direct and in-depth engagement, requiring you to use longer sales pitches to qualify your leads.

In larger venues, attendees can experience information overload. You’ll want to keep your messaging simple and straightforward. Your pitches and engagement should also be brief, so you can focus on the people most interested in your products and services.

The Perfect Booth Design

Scalable and modular booth designs are innovative structures that provide more design possibilities. You can mix and match pieces to fit the show and your budget. These designs save you money because they are adaptable to the space and needs of each show.

This Healthesystems booth is scalable. Many of the pieces of this large island orientation have been used in other trade shows, both large and small, making this booth extremely versatile and saving Healthesystems a ton of money.

The below photos show other orientations of some of the same booth pieces.

It’s about Value

Attendees need to know your value proposition, so they can make quick decisions about your products and services. This should be captured in your booth design and sales materials. Then, you can further qualify any leads through your sales pitches and different types of attendee engagement.

If you’re looking to update or upgrade your exhibit with backlit displays, the ADM Two staff are experts on display design and fabrication, so give us a call at (813) 887-1960. No matter where your event takes place, one of our knowledgeable staff can assist you with your trade show needs. Also, check out some of our other articles to get more information on trade show booth layout and trade show graphics.

Blog (Exhibit Insight), Displays, Interactive Displays, Trade Show

Backlighting Displays Improves Visibility

2018-05-15 Shannon Bennett

Exhibiting at a trade show is a major investment of time, energy and money. That’s why you need to be as visible as possible. But all of the major trade shows have hundreds of exhibitors vying for everyone’s attention. How do you make your booth stand out from all of the others around you?

Research has shown that backlit displays increase visibility, delivering more return on your investment. The video below, Benefits of a Backlit Display, will tell you more about the many benefits and uses for backlit displays.

Simple design elements, like backlit displays and signs, attract more attention and create a buzz about your brand. But a successful trade show appearance does more than increase brand awareness. A compelling booth design becomes a stage where your company engages with more potential customers. They will want to learn more about your products and services. This quickly translates into more qualified leads.

Blog (Exhibit Insight), Custom Corporate Environment, Design, Staff

Trends in Corporate Interiors

2018-04-25 Tony Ricci

For 2018, changes in workplace environments will focus on how to attract employees during a tight labor market. And, research has shown that poor workplace design negatively impacts productivity. There are a wide-range of possibilities for new designs to capture the attention of new talent and keep current employees happy. We are thus seeing trends in 2018 go beyond functional workspaces to embrace collaboration in fun and unique environments.

Clean and Simple

When seeking new design elements, go geometric. It’s called Mid-Century Modern and is famous for its fashion-forward look and feel through clean lines, asymmetrical angles, and fun shapes and patterns. This motif has been catching on in the commercial property interior design industry for years.

There are many simple ways to bring this look into your offices. Start with area rugs, window treatments, light fixtures, and artwork. You can expand it to furniture, wall coverings, and room dividers that are more substantial ways of building upon this theme.

Activity-Based Working

Wireless and digital environments have changed how people work, and this has changed how we design workplace environments. Employees need different types of areas to complete tasks or have impromptu meetings. Large booths with high backs offer semi-private areas that encourage collaboration in smaller groups, while furniture arranged in circular patterns can promote community workspaces.

There is also a need for quiet zones to offset the added noise. These don’t have to be rooms with closed doors. The best places are in the corners of a large room. Anything that’s away from foot traffic and casual conversations.

Eco-Design

Natural materials for commercial designs have beautifully warm finishes. They bring the natural world inside. Even though these are simple and have a great look, we need to be conscious of how these materials are produced and sourced. For example, bamboo flooring is durable, beautiful, plus it is a renewable resource.

When considering interior lighting, natural light is best, but not always an option. To cut your monthly lighting expenses in half, consider migrating all of your lighting to LED bulbs. There are more LED lighting designs on the market today than ever before and many of them mimic natural light.

The goal of corporate interior design is to stand out and offer comfort away from home. ADM Two is a designer you can trust to reflect the true nature and personality of your business. We are experts on design and fabrication, so give us a call at (813) 887-1960 and one of our knowledgeable staff can assist you with your display, no matter where your event takes place. Also, check out some of our other articles to get more information on corporate interiors.

Blog (Exhibit Insight), Museum Exhibit

Furniture to Fit the Museum Exhibit

2018-04-11 Tony Ricci

Furniture in a museum exhibit is often hidden in plain sight. The ubiquitous museum bench usually sits near the front entrance or along a corridor. It’s backless and thoughtfully misplaced—off to one side, or in the middle of an exhibit hall—to preserve the environment and not inhibit the flow of traffic.

Adaptable Utility

Museum furniture often goes unnoticed. For most patrons, they walk around it almost unthinkingly, as if it were in the background. Yet, its presence can also be very rewarding. There is something very powerful about its comfort for anyone weary after long periods of standing. What’s most interesting is that furniture offers a rare opportunity for patrons to encounter an exhibit or museum both visually and physically.

The options for seating in a museum should reflect the design of the building and adapt with special exhibits, because gallery space is not neutral ground. The space has been designed to align thematically without interrupting the patron’s experience. Furniture can also help people get oriented quickly when entering unfamiliar places.

Make It Accessible

One thing to remember about custom furniture is that it needs to be accessible. There are appropriate height and width requirements that accommodate people with mobility impairments. Color is also important, because it needs to be visually separated from the floor and wall to help people with visual impairments navigate the area.

These requirements don’t hinder the many possibilities of quality and design. There is an abundance of different materials to choose from, such as simple pine or sculpted aluminum. And, there are different styles, especially through custom designs.

Modular furniture has the advantage of functionality and adaptability. It can grow to offer more seating options or shrink to provide room for large floor exhibits. This type of furniture may free up warehouse space and save on costs. Something to remember about any museum furniture is to keep it simple – you don’t want it to end up competing with the art or seem as if it’s a piece of art – unless it actually is!

ADM Two can custom design museum exhibits and furniture. We are experts on design and fabrication, so give us a call at (813) 887-1960 and one of our knowledgeable staff can assist you with your display, no matter where your event takes place. Also, check out some of our other articles to get more information on museum displays.

Staff, Trade Show

Four Roles for Trade Show Booth Staff

2018-03-19 Susan Canonico

It takes months to plan a trade show, especially if it’s your first time. Industry experts suggest that the process starts 3 – 6 months in advance. This includes setting objectives and strategy, as well as the roles for everyone involved.

Not every member of your team will be at the trade show, so the ones that are going to be there need to have clearly defined roles. Their roles will present your brand in the most effective way through messages that compel attendees to learn more about your products and services.

Everyone Should Know their Roles

Prior to the show, all presentations and pitches should be practiced, and employees need to be trained or reminded of proper booth etiquette. Everyone should have access to a schedule that tells them what their role is and when.

There are four main roles in a trade show booth: Crowd Gatherers, Hosts, Presenters, and Lead Gatherers. Each role is critical to your success.

Crowd Gatherers

In order to engage attendees outside the booth, crowd gatherers ask qualifying questions to gauge interest. They are best positioned in the aisles near your booth to increase attention, especially with people who may not have noticed your booth.

Hosts

More than just a greeter, the host is often the first person who attendees interact with. They are brand ambassadors who scan show badges, hand out materials, and direct attendees toward their areas of interest.

Presenters

As a skilled public speaker, your presenter gives in-booth presentations and demonstrations. Their job is to engage with attendees enough to drive interest and sales.

Lead Gatherers

This role requires booth staff to ask more sales-focused questions to qualify leads for the salespeople. They need to be able to capture lead data and pass it on quickly. They are steeped in product knowledge and may be able to answer some technical questions.

For each trade show, you should know the flow of traffic, so positioning everyone will be more efficient. It’s best to see each role from the attendee’s perspective. Their first impression of your company is the design and layout of the booth, so it needs to be inviting and informative from a distance. ADM Two staff are experts on display design and fabrication, so give us a call at (813) 887-1960 and one of our knowledgeable staff can assist you with your display, no matter where your event takes place. Also, check out some of our other articles to get more information on trade show booth layout, trade show graphics, and etiquette.

Blog (Exhibit Insight), Displays, Kiosks, Museum Exhibit

Getting Patron Feedback: A Small Investment with Big Returns

2018-02-21 Shannon Bennett

I recently visited a local museum that didn’t have a smartphone app. I was also surprised that there was no kiosk or person asking a few questions for feedback before we left. How would they know that I was thrilled with everything? I didn’t get the chance to tell them that one of the video exhibits was so loud that it impinged upon the exhibits around it.

The Digital-Optimized Visitor Experience

The next museum I went to had an app. It was amazing and allowed me to dive further into each work of art. After I walked out the door, it notified me to take their survey. It was one of those web-based long forms. Unfortunately, I got distracted a few questions in and didn’t fill it out completely. The problem still remains. How do you engage with patrons in a timely manner?

I called the museum without an app and asked if they take patron feedback. They sent me an email that went to another long, web-based form. It actually took me 10 minutes to completely fill it out. When I reached the end, I was able to leave a message about the noise. I thought it was too long. I looked deeper into this issue to find a better solution.

A Kiosk at the Door

People want to share their experience with others. Take a look at all of the reviews people leave on websites like Yelp and TripAdvisor. Why not make it easier for them? Web-based surveys like the one I received was just too long.

If you’re looking for the most bang for the buck, then a kiosk is a great investment. Researchers at a major art museum found that almost 20% of their patrons interacted with their new kiosks. This should not be a surprise, because kiosks are used at a trade shows throughout the world. These high traffic events require quick and efficient engagement. Trade show attendees can scan their badges or fill out short surveys on a kiosk. They sign up to receive more information about products and services and the company collects much needed data.

There are many types of survey apps that can reside on a table or iPad. These apps can also scan a business card. People will take a minute to give feedback and their personal information, both of which are very important to enrich the museum experience.

Kiosks are a relatively small investment considering the return you receive. ADM Two can custom design kiosks to fit any budget. Give us a call at (813) 887-1960. One of our knowledgeable staff can assist you with your museum’s needs. Also, check out some of our other articles to get more information on museum displays.