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), 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), Custom Corporate Environment, Displays, Interactive Displays

How Cutting-Edge Interactive Displays are Improving Human Resources

2017-09-21 Shannon Bennett

Anyone who’s been to a trade show in recent years knows booths and exhibits have never been more interactive and high-tech.

Now it appears all kinds of companies are developing a taste for using similar whiz-bang interactive displays in offices and other workplaces for human resources-related purposes. Indeed, when St. Petersburg, Florida-based national electrical contractor Power Design, several years ago, was looking for a better way to teach employees about all aspects of what the company does and why, it turned to local exhibit designer and builder ADM Two Exhibits and Displays.

Though mostly known in years past for its museum and trade show exhibits, the firm is fast finding a new (and growing) niche in creating interactive exhibits used to educate company employees about all manner of goods and services. The female-founded and led company has recently fashioned everything from high-tech “membership experience rooms” for credit unions, to “employment engagement” areas for health care outfits aimed at helping keep staff up on changing HR-related issues.

“Interacting with HR used to mean you were in trouble,” joked Shannon Bennett, vice president of sales and marketing at ADM Two. “But these days, employees are coming to realize that HR is really about helping employees be as good at, and happy with, their jobs as possible. And interactive display technologies are fast becoming one of the best ways for HR to do this.”

Fast-growing Power Design’s task for ADM Two: help them find a better way to keep their 8,000 employees current on all manner of innovations in electrical contracting work, as well as bring new hires quickly up to speed.

The result is Power Design’s new Best Practices in Action Training Center. Occupying the better part of several large rooms, the interactive display training center uses everything from large computerized touch-screens, to mock-ups of various electrical wiring scenarios, to instruct employees on all aspects of the company’s design and work. With umpteen interactive quizzes, and videos of real and augmented-reality depictions of technical tasks, the center takes participants from concept to completion of every type of project the company handles.

Corporate Design Trends: Education and Engagement

2017-04-26 Shannon Bennett

Corporate design trends are ever-changing, and in 2017, office space is nothing like it was in say, Office Space back in 1999! Organizations have long been designing their office space with more employee-centric corporate environments that cater to creativity and well-being as the Millennial generation has demanded a focus on quality of life. Now we are seeing that trend expand to include employee education, engagement, and fitness. Re-imagining office space to encourage interactivity in a museum or gallery-style fashion has companies creating impressive displays that are not just informative, but beautiful as well.

When we think of interactive displays, many of our clients come to mind. MOSI is a great example of an educational space that encourages engagement with a wealth of displays on various subjects. Guests are encouraged not only to engage by viewing, but often by touching or pressing buttons. The office trend of using displays mimics this engagement. In particular, our client Power Design has employed this technique beautifully to the Best Practices Gallery in their new building in St. Petersburg. The colorful, interactive gallery with sweeping ceilings is a marvel of design and artistic skill. Visitors are welcome to browse through the extensive maze of educational tools, photos, interactive pieces and content. Power Design has also incorporated a gym, a basketball court, and fitness classes into their campus to encourage a healthy lifestyle.

Best Practices Gallery at Power Design, Inc. in St. Petersburg, FL.

This trend exists because many people are seeking a deeper connection with their work and the environment that they work in. Studies have shown that engaged employees are happier and more productive, healthy employees are happier and more productive, and so on. White walls, florescent lighting and dull office furniture leave one feeling exactly the way the environment looks – dull and lifeless. So it makes perfect sense that a work environment with colorful art, brilliant textures, natural lighting, and options for fitness can inspire employees, give them motivation, and promote health and wellness.

As this corporate design trend continues, we look forward to working with more clients to create beautiful, healthy spaces that will improve employees’ workplace satisfaction and encourage deeper engagement and productivity. ADM Two staff are experts on corporate design and fabrication, so give us a call at (813) 887-1960 and one of our knowledgeable staff can assist you with your corporate design, 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.

ADM Two Case Study, Blog (Exhibit Insight), Custom Corporate Environment, Design

Creating an Experience with PSCU – Client Spotlight Part II

2016-09-28 Shannon Bennett

The second project that we worked on for PSCU was their Member Forum innovation expo area. Each year, PSCU hosts the Member Forum to foster growth and education for their clients. The 2016 theme was “People. Purpose. Passion,” and it explored new ways for credit unions to engage and grow membership through superior services. Education for talent and leadership development are main focuses of the event, which was held in Nashville, TN. As always, PSCU’s goal is to stand out as an innovative yet accessible partner for credit unions in the United States.

“The ultimate goal of PSCU’s 2016 Member Forum is to equip credit unions with the knowledge and tools needed to continue growing and providing exceptional service to their members,” said Scott Wagner, EVP, Membership Development for PSCU. “The conference is designed to support our cooperative’s values and mission of helping our Owners succeed in this complex and competitive payments landscape through access to valuable, strategic content.”

Each section had its own footprint to distinguish from the others, but the layout encouraged traffic flow.

The challenge in this project was to convey all that PSCU stands for in a cost-effective way that was also quick and easy to set up and dismantle. There were some other obstacles, including narrow, at times crowded hallways and space constraints that we would not normally face at a trade show. Despite these challenges, we wanted to create a display area that was substantial – a true environment in which many activities take place.

The vast windows filled the room with light and served as the perfect backdrop for our comfortable living room style seating.

PSCU is a people-oriented organization. We have seen that with the GAC trade show booth, and we see that in the Member Forum. The very theme puts people first, and this is something we needed to convey with the Member Forum environment.

People first.

We used the same colors and modern white furniture that was used for the GAC trade show booth, to maintain brand consistency and stay on budget. The furniture again created a sense of living space, comfort, and welcome. We created three “pods” in 20×20 square carpeting so that each stood out, while at the same time flowing harmoniously into each other. Different segments of their company and product offerings were positioned in the pods, and the flooring and orientation of the structure created a traffic flow between the pods.

Last, but not least, we customized the vendor tables with each vendors’ logo in order to maintain a consistent, even look across the vendor section. This made finding what you want simple, and the tables were cohesive rather than confusing.

If you haven’t already, check out Part I of our project with PSCU – their trade show booth at GAC. It was such a pleasure to work with them on both the GAC trade show booth and their Member Forum in Nashville. Creating an experience like we did for PSCU is what we do best. For more information on how we can help with your next interactive trade show booth, call us at (813) 887.1960 or email [email protected].

Blog (Exhibit Insight), Custom Corporate Environment

Office Environment – Rejuvenating the Space

2016-05-19 Shannon Bennett

Most people spend the majority of their time in the office environment – we certainly do here at Pinstripe Marketing. So doesn’t it make sense that the space where you spend so much time should look and feel appealing, even home-like? We thought so, which is why we decided to do an office makeover.

We are a design-oriented marketing firm, so it was imperative that our office reflected that. No more boring L-shaped desks and book cases loaded with volumes of dusty books. We wanted color, lighting, texture. We wanted to reflect our artistic side in the decor, to show our clients that we practice what we preach. This was the foundation of our choices.

One of the items on our wish list was more organic, earthy material, which is why we chose to create our own wooden wall. We headed to the salvage yard and spent the better part of a day picking out various pieces of old, beautiful wood. We brought it back, put it together (with the help of a handy engineer dad), and lugged it up the stairs. The resulting wood piece is a beautiful back-drop for our sitting area and a warm reminder of a day of hard work.

Pinstripe wooden accent wall and sitting area.

Lighting was an important factor as well, so we turned off the fluorescents and made use of some industrial style lamps that complement our wood accent wall. The window is just big enough to give us some much-needed natural light, so the overall effect is quite pleasant.

We also added a rug for a touch of color, a comfortable couch for client meetings, a large screen and Apple TV for showing off our video and website work. The last touch was a pair of stand up desks that automatically adjust when you press a button – these are life-altering! Now we have the choice to sit, stand, or sprawl out on the couch when writing our weekly blogs. It’s comfortable, chic and productive! Three of our favorite things.

Part of what inspired us to do our office makeover was the office environment work ADM Two has done. ADM Two is one of our favorite clients because they are so creative. They are like magicians, and it’s always fascinating to see them transform a space, as in the case of this office that went from drab to dynamo with the colorful updates ADM Two custom-built. The before and after photos say it all.

Before and after photos of the Alumi-Guard reception area.

Office environments designed with employees in mind are proven to improve satisfaction, creativity, productivity, and efficiency. Our office already has an open plan, so creating the sitting area in the large open room made sense and we had plenty of space for it. Color (or lack thereof) can affect employees’ moods and performance as well, so the homey wood surface and some soothing blue tones made for a calming space. Pops of brighter colors like orange and yellow complete the palette, for something peaceful, yet interesting.

While we did our own small changes for the time being, someday we would love to hire ADM Two to design a fabulous, modern, custom work space for us. We’ve watched them beautify so many spaces, we are itching to see what they would come up with for us!

Pinstripe Marketing is a full-service advertising, marketing and communications agency specializing in service-based organizations including law, technology, healthcare, education, architecture, non-profits and more. Services include marketing plan development and implementation, advertising, collateral design, event planning, media buying, web design, video production and public relations. For details about Pinstripe, please visit www.pinstripemarketing.com.

Check out this article about the effects of office environment on performance, productivity and mood.

Blog (Exhibit Insight), Custom Corporate Environment

Corporate Environment Fabrication – Giving Thanks to Alumi-Guard

2015-12-17 Ginger Reichl

This week we’d like to feature the corporate environment fabrication we completed for Alumi-Guard’s office earlier in the year. Before our corporate environment fabrication team came in, the Alumi-Guard reception area was lackluster and did not evoke the brand’s vibrant colors and rich history. In addition to being a welcome center, Alumi-Guard wanted this space to serve as their product showroom. We immediately had lots of interesting ideas for this project.

The space is rather small, but we made great use of it. We decided to create a large timeline mural right off the main lobby to showcase Alumi-Guard’s history. This timeline tells the story of the brand with large frosted acrylic panels layered with graphic stand-offs, which added a lot of dimension. A huge photo on custom printed wallpaper adds drama to the background, so this piece really stands out and captures attention.

We included a multi-media center on the opposite wall with monitors featuring video and image presentations, along with company website and internet access. The media wall also includes beautiful color images that highlight various products and technology advances.

Last, we added the product showroom and the large, beautiful logos on the wall facing visitors – that is the first thing they should see before they are dazzled by the history timeline and the media wall. The front desk went from rags to riches when we replaced it with a more modern, sleek version with a rounded facade that is a bit more welcoming in its smoothness. The before and after photos show just how vast an improvement was made with relatively few design choices. Sometimes simple is better, and we relied on our imagery and color for impact in this corporate environment fabrication.

Corporate environment fabrication before and after.

A Little Alumi-Guard History

William Woodard, an experienced small business owner and entrepreneur, began Alumi-Guard in early 2000. Located in a state-of-the-art manufacturing facility in Brooksville, Florida, Alumi-Guard has become a leading manufacturer in the aluminum fence and rail industry. For over a decade, Alumi-Guard has established itself as an innovator in quality and design; providing a large selection of maintenance-free fence, railing, and gates that are manufactured to withstand some of the harshest conditions. Alumi-Guard’s product line is available in all fifty states and Canada.

As a domestic manufacturer, we’re proud to say that everything we produce – including all panels, posts, and gates – are made right here at home. So know that when you choose Alumi-Guard, you’re choosing an American company that manufactures quality, American made products.

Create an exciting and engaging corporate environment by customizing and adding texture and images. ADM Two are experts in custom corporate environment design and fabrication, so give us a call at (813) 887-1960, and one of our knowledgeable staff can assist you with corporate environment ideas. Take a look at some of our other articles to get ideas for trade show exhibit design and etiquette. Also, check out Barrette’s website to view more of their product line, including Alumi-Guard, at www.barretteoutdoorliving.com.

Blog (Exhibit Insight), Custom, Custom Corporate Environment

Corporate Environment Design – In Case You Missed It

2015-10-22 Nikki Devereux

Corporate environment design has become an area of fast growth for us as more and more companies are paying attention to workers’ needs, sustainability, comfort, and ever-advancing technology. Our favorite part is the design process, as we assess branding, graphics, layout, and work with the client to create a space that tells their story and serves their staff and customers. It is always fascinating to compare before and after photos – the drastic difference even a few updates make is incredible.

In our article, “Corporate Environment Design Benefits,” we discuss some of the elements such as furniture and even color, that can make a huge difference in a space. Clients are dazzled by the transformation a simple coat of paint can create.

Our article, “Custom Corporate Environment Case Study: Alumi-Guard,” we show the before and after photos – and every step in between – of the process of updating Alumi-Guard’s reception area. The space went from drab and boring to spectacular with just a few simple tweaks. This case study is proof that corporate environment design does not have to be complicated or expensive, but hiring professionals will make the process easier and more efficient.

The image on the left is the finished Alumi-Guard reception area, and the photo on the right is the space before we revived it.

Creating an exciting and engaging corporate environment design starts with a top design team like ADM Two. Give us a call at (813) 887-1960, and one of our knowledgeable staff can assist you with your office needs. 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), Branding, Custom Corporate Environment

Corporate Environment Design Benefits

2015-08-19 Nikki Devereux

Corporate environments are becoming increasingly design-oriented, comfortable, and fun. While incorporating all three of these elements may not be a good fit for your brand or your budget, it is a wise decision to assess your corporate environment – both functionally and aesthetically.

Think about your product or service. How do you want potential clients to view you and your business? When was the last time you updated your office interior? If it’s been a long time, and if you want your clients to picture a drab, fluorescent-lit, white-walled bore, then don’t change a thing. If, on the other hand, you want to convey a smart, or fun, or brazen company and culture, then you are going to have to rethink your office interior.

The Priel Salon wanted a luxurious yet sophisticated feel for their corporate environment.

Hiring a professional corporate environment designer and fabricator can take some of the guess-work out of creating your vision. A professional designer can recommend colors, fabrics, artwork, furniture, technology, and anything else that will help to define your brand.

Corporate Environment Color

Color plays a powerful role in your message. You will probably want to use your logo colors, but you should consider incorporating other complimentary or contrasting colors to achieve a certain feel. There is a science to color – a professional designer will know how to convey your message with color.

Images/graphics

Use images of your previous projects, your team outings, and cool company graphics as wall art. If your firm does creative work, consider showcasing some of your projects on the walls.

Furniture

Think about your clients, guests and employees. You want everyone who walks in the door to be comfortable. Happy employees do better work and comfortable guests and clients return, which means you have more work. Make sure they feel at home. What better way to keep them coming back?

Lighting

Lighting is important no matter where you are. Create a homelike feel with warm lamps and get rid of the fluorescents – no one likes them.

ADM Two are experts at corporate interior fabrication, and we have a team of designers that can make your dream office a reality. In fact, bringing corporate offices back to life really satisfies us, because we know those shiny new offices are making a lot of lives brighter and more interesting every single day. Check out this article by Forbes for office space ideas from corporate giants.

ADM Two Case Study, Blog (Exhibit Insight), Custom Corporate Environment

Custom Corporate Environment Case Study: Alumi-Guard

2015-07-01 Nikki Devereux

First impressions are paramount, and that is especially true of your business space. Your reception area is the introduction to your brand, so it should thoughtfully convey your message. Making a good first impression is the bare minimum; you should aim to create a memorable one. That is just what Alumi-Guard has done with their corporate reception space, with the help of ADM Two’s custom fabrication team.

Below is the lobby/reception area before the transformation to custom corporate environment. It is drab and lifeless, a blank canvas.

before, drab, lifeless reception area, custom corporate environment

Before the transformation – drab, lifeless reception area.

One of the goals was to create atmosphere in the fairly small space. In order to achieve that goal, ADM Two and Alumi-Guard used a mural off the main lobby to display the Alumi-Guard history timeline, telling the story of the brand. Custom printed wallpaper with a color photo adds a dramatic effect to the background of the timeline. We used large, frosted acrylic panels layered with graphic stand-offs that add dimension and texture.

timeline wall alumi guard, custom corporate environment

Installation of the frosted glass panels over custom wallpaper. So cool!

The company and parent logos are large and carefully mounted so as not to damage the wall in the event that they need to be removed. This careful consideration is one of the hallmarks of ADM Two.

“We tailor everything to our client’s precise needs. From designing the custom corporate environment to installation, we make sure that each and every goal is met. We are up for any challenge,” says Shannon Bennett of ADM Two.

alumi-guard, barrette, custom corporate environment

Great care was taken when installing the Alumi-Guard and Barrette logos.

Alumi-Guard also wanted this space to serve as their product showroom, and even included a multi-media area with monitors featuring video and image presentations, along with company website and internet access. The media wall also includes beautiful color images that highlight various products and technology advances.

media wall, custom corporate environment, alumi-guard

The media wall features beautiful color still images and two video monitors.

“We had in mind what we wanted for that area, and what we ended up with from ADM Two was truly amazing. Our concept came out exactly as we had envisioned. It was as if they (ADM Two) pulled it out of our heads. Definitely first rate, excellent work,” said Donna Smith of the finished custom corporate space.

We love it when we receive that kind of response from clients. It means that we delivered exactly what we promised – “Where Vision Becomes Reality.” Take a look at the time lapse of our progress below!

After the transformation and before the transformation. What a difference!