Crafting a Legacy Experience on a Budget
The Boilermaker Station
With a deep understanding of blending cost-effective design strategies with user-focused interaction, I was brought on to encapsulate Purdue’s rich history in a short timeframe and on a tight budget. The Boilermaker Station is a manifestation of creating impactful experiences even when faced with constraints.
Problem:
Purdue Alumni Association was in a predicament, with a rich history but a restricted budget to display it.
Purdue Alumni Association was in a predicament, with a rich history but a restricted budget to display it.
Furthermore, they were racing against the clock with less than 90 days to create an immersive experience for their alumni and students.
Research & Insights
Given the rich content available and the limitations in resources, the strategy had to hinge on optimizing existing assets. It was vital to convert static images and text into dynamic narratives, making history come alive, resonating emotionally, and ensuring the content would be engaging.
How might we…
…create an experience that not only showcases Purdue's legacy but also instills a deep sense of pride and connection in its alumni, ensuring their continued engagement and affiliation with the university?
…create an experience that not only showcases Purdue's legacy but also instills a deep sense of pride and connection in its alumni, ensuring their continued engagement and affiliation with the university?
Solution
The Boilermaker Station Experience was born within the Purdue Student Union. Here’s what set it apart:
Optimal Display: A 98” touchscreen served as the centerpiece, ensuring content had a significant visual presence.
Animating History: Rather than static displays, photos were animated, pulsing with energy, making the university's history tangible and engaging.
Dynamic Engagement: A custom video animation, derived from the kiosk’s content, acted as an attraction loop, drawing users into the experience.
Efficient Management: An intuitive custom CMS made it easy to update and manage media, ensuring dynamic content flow.
Data-Driven Insights: Rich data tracking allowed for detailed analytics, offering insights into user engagement and interactions.
Key Outcomes
Within the tight deadline, the Boilermaker Station became a frequently visited spot in the Purdue Student Union for both students and alumni.
Feedback highlighted the platform's interactive nature and effective content presentation, especially given the constraints.
Reflections & Takeaways
The Boilermaker Station project underscored that limitations can often breed creativity. By working closely with what was available and understanding the core needs, we delivered an experience that continues to honor Purdue's legacy and stands as a testament to effective, budget-conscious design.
