Johnson Controls excels at designing the infrastructure on which our buildings, homes and cars are built. The company wanted to change the dynamic of how their customers experience it’s products & solutions when visiting their center. Fundamentally, they had to communicate that efficient products create healthy and safe environments where people can do their best. Downstream worked with Johnson Controls to create a space that is a digital reflection of their brand, products and solutions: the Johnson Controls Technology Experience Center.

Development
Our charge was two-fold: to develop this human story for Johnson Control’sproducts, and to create a comprehensive, hybrid (digital & physical) environment in which to tell it. The digital interfaces had to work together as a flexible toolkit, accommodating the wide range of products and solutions that Johnson Controls offers and adapting to speak directly to the concerns of different audiences.

Solution

Downstream created a series of interactive environments designed to foster curiosity, answer questions, provide solutions and spark conversation about Johnson Control’s offerings and services. The totality of the various physical and digital platforms create a flexible and inspiring environment where business development can take place in a new way. Intuitive and gestural interaction engages the visitor, sparks imagination and gives them an opportunity to follow their specific business interest. The impact of this approach is that it fundamentally changes the way that customers experience the Johnson Controls brand, products and services. Introducing self-authorship to the EBC allows potential customers to discover the brand on their own terms, shifting the brand encounter to “my experience” of Johnson Controls.

Johnson Control’s brand values are to make products better than they have to be. Our work with them embodied what the brand really stands for: products, solutions and technology that do more for the people who use them.

Deloitte, a major international accounting and consulting firm, engaged Downstream to design and build an interactive wall for its new training and meeting facility outside of Dallas. Deloitte required a unique and engaging means of communicating their culture and passion for leadership to guests and visitors. The Deloitte Connections Wall had its beginnings in the desire for a company timeline, but it soon became apparent that the Wall’s highly trafficked and high profile location called out for more creative messaging and a fresh approach.

Development

Following several comprehensive rounds of design development, Downstream was able to capture the goals for the interactives, and cement which messages to portray. We studied Deloitte’s brand strategy, surveyed projected users, and reviewed the available technology options. Finally, we provided recommendations, ideas, and a process for moving forward. Downstream designed a multi-touch, multi-user interactive media wall that is a knowledge space of the people, places, events and ideas that make Deloitte great.

Solution

The Connections Wall is 8196 x 3072 – almost 7.5 times greater than high definition 1080p. Backgrounds and assets were created to take full advantage of the large digital palate. A resource for information, the digital interactive platform provides a dynamic media canvas that invites users to explore the most current Deloitte brand strategy. They can dive into the history of the company; interact with a fully functional globe, view employee profiles and view messages from various staff members. The impressive form factor and rich interactive experience provide a deeper sense of Deloitte’s culture of leadership.

As part of Downstream’s decade long relationship with the Ducks, we collaborated with the University, AECOM and Thompson Vaivoda Architects, focusing on the brand and storytelling components of the Matthew Knight Arena. As part of the U of O’s strategy to compete at the highest levels, Downstream worked on this project from the fundraising efforts all the way through to the ribbon cutting. From sales environments, to websites to the arena itself, Downstream provided strategy and design services throughout.

Development

Downstream conducted an extensive discovery exercise and facilitated multiple design workshops culminating in the delivery of a brand and story master plan. This plan fueled and inspired thematic and design development for the project. From “Deep in the Woods” to the various brand and story treatments through the facility, Downstream contributed to what is now the best “basketball theatre” in the nation.

Solution

Utilizing the spark of the Matthew Knight “Anthem to the Fan” as inspiration, Downstream provided 2D, 3D and digital elements throughout the arena from “Deep in the Woods” on the court floor to hero graphics, concession signage and clubs. The result is an eye-popping 12,541 seat arena that is the newest jewel on the Oregon campus.

As a company that protects clients from virtual attacks, McAfee needed a way to make this intangible idea connect with physical reality in a way their clients could understand. McAfee chose Downstream to create a space that made their story real.

Development

As the project developed, we understood that McAfee doesn’t just provide security for their clients; they also seek to proactively educate clients, and prevent future attacks. Through workshops and collaboration with McAfee, we created an environment that engages the user from the moment of arrival to the moment of departure.

Solution

From artifacts within the space to the seating arrangements to the custom LED light wall, McAfee’s strengths were highlighted in every detail of the environment. The history of McAfee’s development is portrayed through a large interactive timeline in the lobby area. A lighted hallway tracks visitors, following their navigation to displays of real time attack data. The War Room allows McAfee to showcase their defense in action. At the 19-foot interactive Solutions Table, McAfee staff members can share documents, present keynotes and interact with other users. This table operates on an original operating system and program developed by Downstream LABS. The space as a whole reflects McAfee’s highly sophisticated and offensive attack-prevention system.

Development

Downstream conducted a two-day discovery workshop with Pyramis traders and brand managers. Pyramis wanted real-time data delivered in an exciting, sophisticated, and ultimately useful way. We studied the space plan and choreography of the various audiences at the Smithfield headquarters, and analyzed the vast amounts of data that needed to be displayed, including international clocks, real-time global market feeds, heat maps, and more.

Solution

Downstream’s design and technology solution were integrated into two large multi-screen displays that employed a variety of aesthetic and dynamic back-end elements to create a seamless experience. Our programmers used Omnivex screen sync integration software to pull data from constantly updating spreadsheets so that information is displayed in real time. Our motion design team created elegant brand transitions. Presenters can guide visitors through the information from an intuitive touchscreen panel. Downstream and Pyramis have created an impactful and informative environment that has elevated their brand both for employees and visitors.

Development

Downstream combined four conference rooms into one integrated meeting room armed with the latest in digital and conference table technology and design.  Additionally, Downstream created a showcase room where high level briefings and technical interaction can take place. These two rooms are branded and integrated with technology that allows Alcatel to showcase their brand and technology ideally.

Solution

The moment clients enter the briefing center they are greeted by Downstream’s design work both in the conference room and the show room. From the concept design to the integrated touch screens to the user flow, we delivered high quality work in a unique manner. This turn key solution allowed us to successfully complete our first European project within tight budget constraints and on an aggressive timeline, paving the way for future successes.

Throughout the last ten years Portland’s largest outdoor sports stadium has undergone several transformations. From name changes to major renovations in 2001, Jeld-Wen Field has become an increasingly active part of the city’s sports culture. When the Portland Timbers became a Major League Soccer (MLS) team in 2010, they wanted to capture the excitement of their new status with an updated pitch and branding to match.

Development
From the beginning of Downstream’s engagement with the Portland Timbers, one fact became clear—authenticity was the key to this project, and this sport. Building on the success of the grass roots network and passionate fan base, Downstream provided designs that reflected this homespun feel. With family-based Jeld-Wen as the title sponsor, the stadium didn’t just need signs, it needed designs that reflected this down to earth mentality.

Solution

In a unified effort with Ellerbe Becket and ICON Venue Group, Downstream delivered wayfinding, concessions and exterior signage, as well as a branding package. This branding fit the Timbers need for an authentic yet professional design, and  brought a cohesive feel to what could otherwise have been a disjointed collection of sponsor logos and directional messages. As the fireworks exploded over an ecstatic crowd at the opening game, we couldn’t have been more proud of our contribution to such a meaningful event for Portland’s sports culture.

Opportunity
As a company that addresses fundamental challenges in research, electronics, natural resources and life sciences, FEI needed to tell their story in a profound way. Beyond the trade show booth created for Microscopy and Microanalysis, they hoped for an enduring way to convey the importance of their work.

Development

To help Autodesk achieve their project goals, we designed the space as a showcase for examples of world-class design assisted by Autodesk products—focusing especially on the Bay Area. The display content had to engage visitors at different levels of interaction, from graphic design to media to digital interactives while maintaining a logical, compelling narrative. We developed a modular custom exhibit display solution that put the focus on the artifacts while providing a variety of immersive experiences. This helped maintain a consistency among the artifacts, each of which was almost a separate project. In fact, some artifacts posed issues of their own, like the Ford Mustang Shelby GT-500 production vehicle that had to be lifted in through a window.

Solution

Downstream conducted extensive research and study into each artifact’s origins and design process. Our team strategized the story and choreographed and fine-tuned the visitor path and user experience. We curated the exhibits, using the modular exhibit system to customize each display so that all of the stories were unique but maintained a consistent look and feel. The result of our collaboration with Autodesk is an immersive, interactive experience full of rich, dynamic content, and it is now open to the public.