Sample Assignment 3

Environmental Graphics +
Exposition Theme and Design

As a guest lecturer I helped build an exposition assignment for a class to help fill some gaps in the curriculum.

I created four lectures and an RFP project that included many check-ins and due dates along the way. The students designed a comprehensive exposition design. Content included extensive research of the target audience and industry, creating a theme for the exposition and graphic content that supported that theme. This project was successful, and I was invited back to teach as an adjunct and expanded the content into a full 4 credit course.

 

Student Samples

Exposition RFP Assignment

Using the research and information provided, in addition to in class discussion, you will accomplish and compete the following Request for Proposal (RFP):

Assignment One: Familiarize yourself with the International Health and Racquet Sports Association

  1. Develop a Research Brief for IHRSA to include: (3 pages max)

    • An IHRSA Organization Overview

    • Trends in fitness clubs

      • Demographic

      • Technology

      • Competitive/Industry landscape

    • Challenges to the industry

  2. Develop an overview of their annual Conference & Exposition

  3. Develop a Profile for IHRSA Attendees

  4. Develop a Profile for IHRSA Exhibitors

Assignment Two: Think about the trends, the insight, the strategy, and the objectives

  1. Develop 3 strong Core Idea possibilities

  • Include a brief discussion of the rationale for each idea (why appropriate)

  • Include a brief explanation of how each idea might be expressed through a design strategy

Assignment Three: Based on today’s discussion and brainstorming, further develop, and finalize your core idea

Assignment Four:

  • Brainstorm each point of your experience path

  • Generate as many ideas as possible

  • On one piece of Storyboard Frame paper, sketch your best 4 ideas, for each point identified in our experience

  • Write which point you are describing at the top of the sheet

  • Do this for all 11 Experience Path points listed on the next page

  • You should have at least 11 pages when complete

  • Scan all pages and submit via D2L before the start of class

Assignment Five:

  • Explain the organizing principle for your exhibition space plan

  • Create a bubble plan of your exhibition that reflects the organizing principle and supports your core idea

  • Overlay the points of your experience path to show where they will happen on your bubble plan

  • Scan all pages and submit via D2L before the start of class

Assignment Six:

  • Create 3 graphic schemes for you core idea and experience concept

Each one should include:

  • Identity Graphic [establishes a theme logo + look and feel]

  • Style Guide [Fonts, materials, color schemes]

  • Further develop your bubble plan into a scaled floor plan

APPROXIMATELY:

  • 60% should be booths

  • 10% should be IHRSA properties

  • 10% should be Sponsorship

  • 5% can be other areas: i.e. food,

  • 15% circulation

Assignment Seven:

Design the following structural/graphical elements to support your IHRSA experience path:

  • First Impression (think)

  • Concourse (feel)

  • Registration / Enrollment (feel)

  • Entrance / Threshold (feel)

  • Wayfinding (feel)

These will make up a significant portion of your final presentation.

Assignment Eight:

Assemble all of your work to date into a professional presentation

This should include:

  • Research

  • Creative Brief

  • Your Core Idea + Rationale + Design Strategy

  • Experience Map

  • Experience Path (storyboards, pick one of the 4 for each point)

  • First Impression

  • Concourse

  • Enrollment / registration

  • Threshold Moment / Entrance

  • Wayfinding

  • Organizing Principle

  • Bubble Plan with experience points

  • Scheme Graphic

  • Style Guide

  • Updated floor plan