For the Billboard Project I chose to design for The Imagination Station. There are several messages that this organization might want to express in a billboard. There are always special events that IS put on that only last a week or  a month. These need to be advertised for and cant the news cant be passed quickly by news letters or company adverts. Supporting the sciences and having fun while learning is a big attraction for schools and families. A billboard that can convey fun and education would appeal to adults and children.

It makes sense demographically and geographically to advertise in the Toledo area. Families and schools in the area of IS is the most likely audience I would attract. Utilizing the secondary market because schools and families with small children are less likely to leave the state to go on a field trip/day trip.

I’d like to use extensions to blow out the billboard and give it a 3D feel. It would look playful and out of the ordinary; attract the eye of children. I envision using bright colors, shapes, beakers, electric flashes, etc. Emphasize the fun and educational environment IS represents.

The name of the company I chose for the tradeshow project is the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum. There are many reasons that this organization would involve itself in a tradeshow. The biggest one being getting people to visit the museum. The whole reason the hall of fame is around is through memberships and donations. The museum could use the tradeshow to advertise new exhibits and also sell merchandise.

I love rock and roll and lets be real, so do a lot of other people. There will always be an audience for the infamous museum. They should use tradeshows to send a message for the respect and admiration of rock icons and that the music is a big part of our culture. By participating the museum will be teaching people about the culture and history of rock and roll.

My design would use heavy graphics to bring in attention, but utilize the space advertising for the different exhibits and museum artifacts. My main idea is for the large display shaped as a speaker. The front gridded off like the front of a speaker, cut up with band and rock star photos on the grid. In front of the square display there’d be a round counter either used by hosts to provide information, or I had an idea of having people play Rock Band in the center (to create more of an attraction). A cage of TV displays would be above the counter to advertise with power point presentations or flash videos. Inside the cube would be a large projector showing things on rock history, museum featured stories, or inductee ceremonies. on the back and sides would be heavy graphics and random facts (probably by artist or year). Of course there would be music! Speakers on the top and sides of the cube display.

There are many different and awful ways people display books. One way, which is seen a lot and you really can’t help is on a straight shelf. It’s not the worst way really like I said it can’t be helped. You have a lot of books and it’s the easiest way to display them all. Libraries do it, large book stores as well. Of course at those places they have directories that help the whole book search a lot easier. Another way is a theme display. You see them in kid sections and christian book stores. Also this works. It creates an interest and sells the book. But my problem with that is the books are the design. Someone buys your book you’re out part of your design. The third way book stores display books and it is my most hated way to display and sell a book. They stand the books on a table. It incorporates the the first two problems I have with displaying book. You can’t see all the books and you take a book away your design goes (and sometime the books go down like dominos!).

My idea is to design three small shelving units for a book store chain down in Dayton, OH call Books & Co. The first would be a new releases book shelf. Something small but more “flashy,” most likely put in the front of the store. Maybe even used outside as a sidewalk seller. My idea is to have eight individual boxes either for eight book titles or one book title in one display, could be used however. Second display would be for book of the month. Like i said before it could be used however, this is just my idea. It’s a tall design with 6 notches or slates to stager the books down to the bottom. Lastly I would design a regular shelf with a step stool design with books at the top and stager out to the bottom. The whole brand would be designed around Books & Co. and incorporate a kind of coffee house design. Most books stores are either turning into coffee shops or putting a coffee shop in they’re store. Books & Co. has one on both floors. I’d like to use the back chalk board in the displays to say what the new releases are or what the book of the month is. Maybe if the books are 40% off or something like that.

Sunglasses are usually seen on a spin display seen above (photo 1&2) at retail stores like Walmart and Target. Usually cheaply made and rarely stocked. You’ll see sunglasses from around $5-10. Other places like malls and signature stores have small displays behind glass at the cash register. The problem with selling sunglasses is they’re easily stolen. Rip off a small little tag and walk right out. That or your product is behind glass and you have to wait for an employee to unlock the case, TO TRY ON SUNGLASSES. Stores don’t sell high end sunglasses cause it’s a hassle. In the end they lose money. My idea is to create a high end sunglass display a retail store can put on the jewelry counter or display area. For more high end glasses around $80-200.

www.sunglasshut.com

A cylinder-esc design with a display that still spins. but is more weighted (and less chance of glasses falling or flying off) in the center. A little more modern in the design to go with a new idea of selling high end sunglasses at a retail store or mall.