Crown 360 Experience
The Problem
Showcase Crown College at the two most significant and most relevant conferences for the college.
Solution
I led the team who planned and designed a compelling booth that included the secret sauce: a 360 VR Experience.
Once we had the booth's dimensions, my team and I designed the look and feel of all aspects of the booth, including flow and customization day-to-day.
Simultaneously, I developed a script and shooting schedule for a 360 video that would be the booth's centerpiece.
To reduce costs, the backdrops were ordered from China, and furniture was delivered directly to the conference in Florida. In addition, after the conferences, all items were donated to a local non-profit to ensure sustainability.
Highlight
Every aspect was designed, including the layout and flow, backdrops, furniture, shirts, water bottles, cards, and even the television stands. This cohesion helped give the booth an intentional feel and helped to emphasize the main showcase feature – Crown 360 Experience.
Why 360?
Three main goals were presented for the booth.
1. Must be under-budget + on-time
2. Must be reusable for future events
3. Must showcase Crown as innovated
During my research for a class I taught at the college, Interactive Design, I had come across VR and AR experiences. Though a digital VR experience would have been impossible to complete in 6 months, after tests with an inexpensive camera, we knew a 360 video experience was within reach.
I wrote the scripts and filmed different experiences at Crown with an 11K 360 rental camera. I then edited the film together and worked to simplify the Oculus interface so that anyone could run the experience. Overall it was a massive win for the college.
An Inexpensive Option
As a not-for-profit, the college was looking at stretching its dollars as far as possible. But, as always, quality was not allowed to suffer.
After researching local and domestic options, I researched a design firm in China that offered a substantially less costly option. I vetted the firm by contacting previous customers.
I then worked with the firm to create our custom solutions and get them to Florida well under budget and on time.
Watch the 360 Experience
The Payoff
These conferences are considered a significant event for the college – usually impacting 3+ years of enrollment both on the undergraduate and graduate schools at the college.
One of the vital cost-saving methods was reaching out to a Chinese firm that could create customized backdrops, pop-up stands, and the arch and deliver on time to Florida.
The experience took around 2 minutes from start to finish. At the second conference, which had a younger audience, a second set of goggles were purchased to increase flow and reduce waiting times.
Overall, the college impressed prospective students, and the booth was considered the best and most innovative booth at both conferences.
increase in enrollment
Year-over-year at Crown
saved in cost-cutting measures
While maintaining quality
people experienced the 360 video
At the two conferences
