A Century of Optics — Yoana Wiman

OSA Centennial Trade Show Experience Design

In 2016, OSA celebrated its 100th anniversary. As part of the centennial event, we were tasked to create a traveling exhibit booth showcasing 100 iconic people, innovations and milestones within OSA and the world of optics.

Note: OSA 100 logo was provided by client. All graphics are designed based on OSA's existing brand guidelines.

The traveling booth includes 3 interactive kiosks, also highlighting the 100 icons. Each icon is assigned an index number and a color, that correspond to the interactive kiosk. We devised 100 shades of colors for each of the icons, by using the 2 primary centennial colors of Coral and Reflex Blue as a starting point.

Each hue represents a number on the index, from 1 to 100.

Detail of the interactive kiosk screen. Photo taken during site visit to fabrication center where the constructions of 3D and interactives were tested for the final time before shipping.

Inspired by the topic of optics and colors, we incorporated the use of Dichroic film into the design of the individual image tile, the side walls of the booth and the kiosk stands. This film is used as a frame around each icon, creating a wall of colors that are constantly changing.

The short clip above illustrates the color changes in the tiles as a viewer moves around the booth.

Due to the variety of images, some tiles have to be constructed differently. This is especially important to achieve the effect that we want across the exhibit wall, while still giving each tile equal importance. There are a total of 4 different types of construction, 2 of them highlighted below.

Prototype and production studies and development takes place simultaneously with the graphic design development of the exhibit as the production methods, in this case, are crucial in achieving the overall experience of lights, transparency and colors.