EXHIBIT & EXPERIENTIAL DESIGN
METHODS MACHINES
NEW BUILD DESIGN
MG Design was invited to participate in an RFP Response for Methods Machines 2018 IMTS booth execution. Myself and an experiential designer were assigned to the project from start to finish. Methods was unique in that it's one, large, over arching brand that encompasses multiple smaller machine brands within it-- So how could we navigate attendees to an overall Methods experience, while still translating each separate brand within the space? After listening to the pros, cons and pain points of their current configuration, we decided to approach the concept in a "zoned" way. In other words, the booth as a whole was a Methods zone; however, inside of it were smaller zones broken into each brand.
Once the experiential designer and I had established the ground rules of our strategy and approach to the project, I started developing what that could look like in a three dimensional way. The brand loves their "M", so I was immediately drawn to that for my inspiration-- Specifically, the angles of the shape. They used this all over their marketing materials and I wanted to translate that into their physical space. From that point, I developed towers that would be used to locate each of the smaller zones in the space-- Each represented with the colors of their brand, but holding the same architectural edge as Methods. By far the biggest challenge was arranging the floor plan to fit all of their massive machinery and provide a traffic flow plan that still made sense. A bit of time and brain power got the job done though!
They absolutely loved the design, the strategy and the concept approach we developed. Unfortunately, due to some of their team's internal conflict and deadline constraints they were forced to stay with the incumbent to rifle through the year's show. I was able to attend IMTS 2018 and was disappointed to see what they had ended up going with... Ultimately, recycling their old properties and ripping off a few of our ideas; however, I'm hoping that I'll have a shot at the design again in the near future.
