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    UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN

    Crisler Center

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    "They made me feel like I was a part of Michigan again."

    - Cazzie Russell, Former NBA All-Star, University of Michigan Alumni

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    CLIENT

    From its proud past to an ambitious future, the University of Michigan boasts some of the most successful student-athletic programs in history.

    CHALLENGE

    Infuse new energy and pride into the Crisler Center (formerly known as the Crisler Arena) by creating an environment where current and past Michigan varsity athletes feel welcomed and honored, plus upgrade an outdated arena to a top-notch basketball facility that is a magnet for fans and recruits.

    SOLUTION

    Beginning with a three-story anthem in honor of Michigan’s commitment to tradition, we helped merge a rich past with emerging technology to turn the Crisler Center into a beacon of sports history and experience. At various points, interactive displays and historical artifacts comingle to convey Michigan’s success stories. Plus, large-scale graphics celebrate Michigan’s varsity sports throughout the concourse, while a custom Maize Rage student entryway welcomes and celebrates some of the most important fans in the building.

    IMPACT

    The Crisler Center presented a unique challenge in that Michigan wanted to celebrate all 27 of their varsity sports, while still maintaining the feel of a Division I basketball arena. As a result, we had to create specific homes for each sport, without detracting from the excitement and live events held within. Ultimately, we were able to seamlessly integrate our work into the architecture of the renovated arena and help create a modernized space that looked like a brand new arena. A supportive and highly collaborative working relationship with the architect was key to the project's success.

    DISCIPLINES

    Concept Development
    Brand Strategy
    Front-End Development
    Environmental Design
    Engineering
    User Experience
    Art Direction & Design
    Back-End Development
    Technology Systems
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    Prominently marked on the Crisler Arena concourse, the M vomitory is specially designed to welcome the Maize Rage, Michigan’s boisterous student section.

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    Concept renderings for renovated Crisler Arena glimpse the range and scale of the new fan experience.

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    Nearly completed installation of the Great Michigan Moments display on the Crisler Arena concourse.

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    Super graphics above All Sports interactive displays invite fans to explore a deep library of UM sports heritage on touch screens located around the Crisler Arena concourse.
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    Casework in the Hall of Honor displays physical artifacts. Curated exhibits and event specific content are easily refreshed.
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    The Michigan Athletic Hall of Honor interactive display lets fans search by sport, year, and player for stories about hall of fame inductees from every sport, including photos and video.
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    The Cazzie Russell Tribute incorporates slats from the former court floor, video, and heroic graphic of Cazzie, perhaps the most beloved player in program history.
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    Once called the best college march ever written, Michigan’s fight song, “Hail to the Victors,” is memorialized, line by line, in the concourse floor. One full loop will reveal the entire refrain.
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    Custom metal plaques slide in and out of the slat walls, allowing for easy updating of the All Sports displays.
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