Services
McMillan Group specializes in integrating design disciplines of: exhibit, architectural, interior, graphic, lighting, video and interactive media to create powerful communication environments. We deliver fresh creative ideas and then carefully manage them through the program's complete life cycle, assuring our clients' needs have not only been met, but exceeded.
RESEARCH
We work to understand products, services and their application in ways that make connections to the audience.
What we do:
Each job begins with in-depth research as an essential part of understanding and integrating critical details and the key elements to be communicated for each project. Our process includes interviews with experts, technical staff, potential audience members and our clients’ own internal resources as well as our facilitation of brainstorming sessions. We look historically at our clients’ projects to learn what worked, what didn't and why. Other planning considerations include: recent collateral work, product design, web site research and ad campaigns as well as comparisons to our clients’ competition.
We organize and filter the information gathered into a Needs Analysis document. This serves as the basis for the Master Plan, impacting design development through production and the life cycle of the exhibition or visitor center.
Why it works:
Good research is the foundation of a successful project. By gathering all pertinent information to be analyzed, it ensures the best possible creative solution.
MASTER PLANNING
By building consensus, we create the road map as to what the exhibition should say and be, and how to reach the project goals and objectives.
What we do:
From the Needs Analysis, we write the Master Plan that builds consensus and defines a design strategy, prioritizing objectives based on the client team’s input. This plan creates an information structure that analyzes: function, aesthetics, space, traffic flow, products, services, audience, competition, budget, schedule and marketing goals. This is a process driven approach that inspires and informs the design, optimizes the visitor experience and fulfills the program’s goals. Our plans also provide a means of measuring all design development back against the strategic conclusions. Flexibility, changes, upgrades and refurbishment are also included in the plan, providing an evergreen approach for the exhibition.
Why it works:
A well-crafted and clear plan creates an efficient guideline for both our clients and our partner teams. It provides a hierarchy of what's important and how it is to be presented as well as the resources needed to make it happen including skill sets of sub-contractors required to produce the finished product. In essence, it is a contract for the complete project life cycle that is referenced all through the process of design, production and execution. With the same game plan to work from, the Master Plan forms the basis of every step in the process and keeps the client and supplier team focused on that project’s purpose.
CONTENT DEVELOPMENT
We collaborate in forming the storyline for all the content and messaging to deliver relativity at multiple levels for all audience types.
What we do:
Once the Master Plan is completed, we develop a central concept that unifies the goal, theme and direction of the project. The unifying concept (or story) is provided by the way the content is organized, where the eye leads you visually and the random access or linear flow through the entire exhibition.
With a variety of effective visual delivery methods, we layer information to meet the needs of different visitors' interests. Around this storyline, we develop ways to display content in context to the subject, creating a more meaningful engagement. We work closely with curators or provide curation, not only in a museum project but also for corporate projects as well.
Why it works:
Our content development makes an emotional and intellectual connection with the audience that completely captures their attention and allows them to hear the message in a memorable way. An exhibition is not unlike a stage performance. The stage set, or exhibit, provides the viewer with a place that visually expresses information at one level. The script is the content that is delivered through different visual media and methods including: metaphors in exhibit form, graphics, product displays, stage presentations, video, demonstrations, hands on interactive experiences or simply one on one dialog.
EXHIBIT DESIGN
Our strategy is the why of manipulating: form, materials, color, graphics, lighting - all to serve the project's purpose.
What we do:
Our approach to exhibit design is to interpret the functional requirements and marketing goals as visual representations and expressions of brand distinction for our clients. We deliver a process of cost effective, creative options and design development, with input from our clients as critical members of the design team. Our presentation tools include: 3D renderings, animations, fly-throughs, animatics, storyboards, engineering drawings and estimates.
Using all aspects of the entire exhibit, we resolve: architectural and interior design, lighting FX, traffic flow, use of space, staging, conference rooms, demo stations, reception counters, lighting, product display, hierarchy of graphic messaging and creative concepts for video and interactive media - as integrated tools of communication to achieve effective solutions in reaching the audience.
Why it works:
Our approach includes our clients as an essential part of the exhibit design team to ensure the final outcome meets or exceeds their expectations. For us, exhibit design includes every element that the visitor sees, hears, smells and feels. We understand how to effect these experiences and create thoughtful designs that immerse visitors in a way that delivers relevant experiences for them.
BRAND IDENTITY & 3 DIMENSIONAL GUIDELINES
We define ways to express the brand and soul of a project within a three dimensional space through architecture, materials media and graphic communication.
What we do:
Many corporate identity guidelines overlook the architectural or three dimensional expression of a brand. We take a client’s existing graphic standards and expand it into 3D applications using appropriate dimensional forms, materials and placement details. The goal is to create a consistent approach that can be used anywhere in the world. This set of guidelines is not limited to corporate work. Our museum projects also have brand identity systems related to exhibitions. We use a similar approach that integrates not only the exhibition itself but all the elements of communication, marketing and aesthetics.
Why it works:
An organization’s brand is a promise to it audience. With our development of brand identity applied to every detail of a dimensional environment, it brings the interaction with customers to the most cohesive level of engagement. While our guidelines provide continuity, they also drive down costs through pre-planning, standardization, templates, direction for cost effective production methods and documentation. The result is a clear set of aligned standards that can be replicated by different providers in any location providing a consistent image to the audience.
ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN
The design of a space with new or existing structure that integrates with the exhibit design to drive the building, size, scale, flow, position, look and feel, and relates directly to the content of what is to be communicated.
What we do:
We collaborate with project architects in retrofitting or creating new structures within existing buildings that completely supports the activity of exhibitions and customer engagement. We understand the specific requirements of these kind of spaces and produce 3D construction drawings for review and approval from engineers. From a design focused basis, we build and direct teams of fabricators and trades people for production and installation to meet schedules, budgets, building code and safety factors.
Why it works:
Architectural design for exhibits has distinct requirements in the use of space, media, lighting and access. With our experience in architectural design, the construction process becomes much more efficient by fully integrating the structure with the exhibit function and content to be included in that building. By getting the A/V, ADA access, curatorial standards for HVAC and lighting correct, a great deal of time and money can be saved.
INTERIOR DESIGN
We treat the internal structures (materials, colors, textures, furnishings etc) to set the stage, tell the story, express the brand - highlighting what needs to be communicated.
What we do:
The requirements of each project are unique and with strategically planned traffic flow, structural forms, architectural and theatrical lighting instruments as well as appropriate materials and furnishings, the interior design becomes an integral part of the communication within an exhibition. Collaborating with our clients’ facilities departments, we source and manage the ordering and installation process for durable, high quality interior components that supports the total experience for the customers and visitors down to the smallest detail.
Why it works:
A well conceived project provides total immersion into the content to be shared and by making every element relevant to the subject. We all learn from not only the obvious direct content but also from what is communicated by the expression of the materials, furnishings and other interior design components in our surroundings. When everything in that environment is carefully planned to work together, it becomes a richer, more meaningful experience.
LIGHTING & FX
We plan lighting and FX that direct vision through a space with emphasis on what is important - bringing a spark of life to the exhibit.
What we do:
Lighting is one of the most essential elements in a great exhibition. We develop all of our spaces using effective lighting instruments, placement and color of light to achieve emphasis, dimension and to define key areas of activity in a space. Special FX deliver surprise, energy and drama to an experience. From accurate lighting effects planned into the concept renderings, we develop lighting plots through the design process as an integrated element in our box of tools. We understand the technical requirements needed to make lighting work in a seamless and professional fashion. The lighting details are worked either directly through the entire project or, for larger more complex work, we bring specialized lighting designers into the project team for the highest level of technical expertise.
Why it works:
Both aesthetically and functionally, lighting and special FX support what is important to communicate. By creating the "wow" factor, it opens a window of opportunity to deliver the most important information to your audience and leaves them with a meaningful and lasting impression. We use theatrical lighting techniques to create energy, reveal a product or direct the audience’s attention through a space. This immersion into the exhibit experience focuses on the shows content and our client’s message.
GRAPHIC DESIGN
By organizing communication levels with messaging, images and typography, we support the overall story or concept.
What we do:
Communication in an exhibition comes in many forms but one of the most direct is presented through graphics. With consistent brand identity, graphics first define an area, support the project concept and then add levels of information and detail.
We create impactful graphics that organize communication and then qualify and lead the visitor through the space. From 2D print and 3D treatments, to integration into product display and video, we provide graphic services that deliver continuity to every project.
Why it works:
We develop a hierarchy of graphic usage to prioritize content and lead the visitor through those layers of information with a visuall treatment that makes the communication clear and understandable. Graphic placement and type size is based on how it will be viewed in 3D space using proven ergonomic standards and assuring readability from different points of view for clarity of the subject matter. We understand the subtle nuances of designing graphics in a 3D space and use it to optimize the visitor experience.
VIDEO & INTERACTIVE
Creating connections through visual motion and energy, our design engages the customer in a personal experience using technology that integrates with the overall design and theme.
What we do:
We use video and interactive experiences to organize information into a story format that becomes more relevant and participatory for the audience. Through a variety of media techniques, we engage the visitor and deliver information using appropriate interfaces combined with both digital and tactile methods, giving the visitors a more authentic and memorable experience. We start with written treatments and storyboards to develop the content and storyline with our clients. Next we create rough-cut animatics to develop timing and scripts. Last we bring in producers, editors, technicians and talent to create the final working elements under our direction. Our development and direction of this work assures continuity of the project’s goals, theme, look and feel. Much of our work has a life outside the exhibit as tablet or web-based interactions, further extending the projects reach to a wider audience.
Why it works:
Video can illustrate content in a way that sometimes can’t be shown with any other method. Interactive components provide a guest with choices to address their interests that personalize and customize their experience with our clients’ message or the subject of the exhibition. Video and interactive elements create an immersive and personal connection to an audience.
ENGINEERING
With our understanding, we enable an efficient, buildable and safe way to execute conceptual design while meeting all building and safety codes.
What we do:
Our goal is to design exhibits that are extremely durable and cost effective. We achieve this through our experience with detailing every aspect of fabrication and production. Taking our final design documents, we create a set of working drawings and documents to provide safe, buildable designs for our production teams. McMillan Group sources qualified builders and manages the bid process. We collaborate with the fabricators to deliver resolved construction documentation in producing an exhibit that is efficient to ship and setup. The drawing set includes: construction drawings with all 3D structural details, electrical plans, lighting plots, A/V control system plans and specifications, HVAC spec, graphic elevations, materials schedules and written documentation related to sourcing and adherence to applicable codes.
Why it works:
By creating a detailed set of working drawings and specifications, our production teams can provide accurate pricing and timetables for production. Our documents become the foundation for all project work and give each provider an accurate cross-reference of information. We obtain Registered Engineer stamps when needed, assuring high standards and meeting all building codes. The larger benefit is that we are the one source for all information, coordinated through McMillan Group's project managers, making it easy for both our clients and sub-contractors.
MANAGEMENT AS EXECUTIVE PRODUCERS AND PROJECT MANAGERS
By understanding the process, details, budget and team roles, we manage all entities through production, logistics and timing to meet every one of our client's expectations.
What we do:
One of our greatest values is in the roles of executive producers and project managers. This position allows us to take the vision that we've created with our clients and build the highest quality team for the execution of those ideas. We thrive on organizing teams of fabricators, media producers and site labor, to work together in concert. All sub-contracted work is billed directly to our clients with no mark-ups by McMillan Group. Regular production meetings are facilitated by us throughout the project, feeding critical information and answering questions for all team members. We provide regular progress reports to our clients, including tracking subcontractors’ estimates against the project budget. When challenges are presented, we resolve the issue and provide our clients with optional solutions.
Why it works:
We act as our clients’ advocate, assuring the finished project is completed as originally envisioned. In creating the program from the start, we are a singular, fully responsible source of information who understands the vision and maintains the design integrity. We shepard every participating team member and sub-contractor to achieve a quality outcome. From our experience and attention to detail, we have proven that even the largest, most complex projects are produced on message, on time, and on budget.
RESEARCH
MASTER PLANNING
CONTENT
EXHIBIT DESIGN
BRAND IDENTITY
ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN
INTERIOR DESIGN
LIGHTING & FX
GRAPHIC DESIGN
VIDEO & INTERACTIVE
ENGINEERING
MANAGEMENT
McMillan Group Inc. 25 Otter Trail, Westport CT 06880 203-227-8696
