desktop digital photography, digital . music and home networkingDesigned to maximize visibility within the respective stores, the display attracted and allowed customers to view live product demonstrations, "test drive" systems and software and purchase products in a user-friendly environment. The time-critical project was a challenge Infinite Dimensions (ID3) stepped up to when selected as the fabricator-installer on the project.

Each display consists of a combination of stationary and movable components including three interactive demonstration pods, two merchandise carts, a central core branding unit, wrap-around graphic headers and a floor unit. The displays were heavily branded with graphics and the design incorporated high-end custom materials to enhance the product and messaging desired by the clients. Modifications to accommodate specific store needs were required, but it was essential that the overall appearance of the display maintained a uniform look from location to location.

"The key to our success with this project was our ability to keep virtually all fabrication in-house, from wood to metal to plastics. Quality control and the overall production management of the components were essential, but there were other factors to consider. DFI was aware of the full service capability at ID3, not just in fabrication but in the ability to manage the project's technical logistics and installations," stated Don Wall, ID3 vice president of sales and marketing. "This capability was a very important factor in our ability to meet the delivery and quality objectives required by the client and design team."

The majority of the display's aluminum parts and components were custom, making the metal fabrication department instrumental in meeting the installation deadline. The ability to roll, weld, assemble, brush and clear coat finish all raw aluminum stock was critical to the project.

Graphics on the project were unique to the store and location in which the display was to be installed. Maintaining a uniform look, all eye-level graphics were produced as Lambda prints or Duraclear transparencies and all header graphics were produced as Vutek digital color prints. With the current technology available in graphics production, it was possible to produce and mount graphics as the client approved the messaging.

Nothing Compares To A Hands-On Experience:
Interactive Demonstration Pods

Three interactive "pods" within the displays allowed customers to have a hands-on experience with a variety of hardware and software, assisting them in selecting the products that best suited their desires and needs. Each pod included a space for a CPU, a keyboard drawer, a video monitor, a camera, a PDA, printers and peripheral accessories, highlighted with multiple product branding graphics. Custom shelves, curved drawers, swiveling accessory arms and pull-outs were required to facilitate the many products displayed at the demonstration pods. Interconnectivity of the demonstration pods was one of the many challenges facing the fabrication team. Each pod required Internet access, data and video, and multiple electrical outlets without the benefit of a sub-floor for cable management, necessitating all cables be routed to the ceiling. This was accomplished by utilizing the display's wrap around header and support poles.

Central Control

The "center core" unit serves as the centerpiece and main hub of the display. The face of the unit features a 50" plasma video monitor, the rear of the unit is set with shelving to display software and other product merchandising. The video monitor has the ability to display information generated from each of the three demonstration pods or from a DVD source at a touch of a button. The center core unit also contains the control devices necessary to interconnect all pods by routing data and video signals throughout the display. As with all components within the display, the center core unit is heavily branded with graphics. An integral feature of the center core unit, as well as the demonstration pods, is that it provides structural support for the display's header graphic panels. Te header unit facilitates the multiple requirements of branding the display and functionally serving as a cable management trough between the center core unit and the three demonstration pods.
Merchandising

In addition to the merchandise shelving on the center core unit, each display was provided two merchandise carts that combined the functionality of a traditional store shelving fixture with the look, feel and branding desired by the client. These units were built on concealed, locking castors for portability, and included custom cast acrylic product shelves and peg board "end caps" framed in brushed aluminum. The carts were branded with cast acrylic logo panels. As a result of the carts being mobile, they can be strategically placed within the display to maximize customer accessibility.

Simultaneous Installations

The project specifications required that nine store locations go "live" simultaneously with three additional stores to be installed shortly thereafter. After each display was fitted and assembled in the ID3 shop, installation team leaders and their crews prepared the displays for shipping to their respective store locations. The project management team coordinated all logistics, including discussing the installations with the individual store managers, installation labor and trucking. As was expected, on site customization of certain units was required due to individual stores' physical space and restrictions. These customizations were successfully accomplished during the installation process that occurred at night while the stores were closed. The off-hour installations avoided any disruption of normal store activity and assured a clean, safe environment for store customers and employees. Each installation was completed in two nights ending with a hand-off meeting with the client and local store representatives. eb