BlogIlluminating the Luminaries

A space to recognize world-class innovation at Worcester Polytechnic Institute

Innovation was a key ingredient in our exhibit which harnessed the power of interactives to extend the WPI Hall of Luminaries brand identity to exhibit graphics, awards, and multi-media. Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI) alumni have made outsized contributions to the world of scientific innovation. If you see a Segway wiz by or talk to SIRI on your iPhone you are observing the work of WPI alumni. President Laurie Leshin believed WPI’s pioneering spirit deserved a special place at the Institute, a place where their work would serve as a visible reminder of what has been accomplished by men and women educated at the Institute. In her mind, this was not something that existed on a bookshelf, a web page or a plaque or monument on the campus. She wanted it as a place the students gathered and studied—the third floor of the Rubin Campus Center to showcase the WPI Hall of Luminaries.

Worcester Polytechnic Institute photographs of the WPI Hall of Luminaries exhibit and opening event

President Laurie Leshin WPI Hall of Luminaries cuts the ribbon

With only six months to develop and install an exhibit in a student center where a bustling lobby, a conference room, and a large auditorium share the space the team lead by Trivium Interactive with Content•Design as the design lead, also understood that their work needed to be compelling enough for some of the savviest techno geeks in the country. We harnessed innovation and teamwork to bring their stories of the WPI Luminaries to life.

Worcester Polytechnic Institute photographs of the WPI Hall of Luminaries exhibit and opening event

Recognition plaque honoring Dean Kamen a visionary inventor

The Institute provided excellent leadership, the facilities department were proactive in helping us shape a design that would allow existing functions to be unhindered, and yet create a place both dynamic and inspiring. Early ideas considered inclusion of visible examples such as “Ginger” the Segway prototype (Kamen), or even cooler, the rocket (Goddard)! But only a few inductees have work made visible so neatly.

Worcester Polytechnic Institute photographs of the WPI Hall of Luminaries exhibit and opening event

WPI alumni Dean Kamen explores the Wheel of Luminaries

A branding scheme provided by Pop Kitchen featured a sparkler motif with myriad variations, a graphic designers dream. We applied it to the walls, the recognition plaques and the Wheel of Luminaries, an interactive that will peak the interest of students as well as intrigue the Alumni. The feature area was accentuated by a 93-inch tall edge illuminated band that lead visitors from the title-wall to the interactive.

Worcester Polytechnic Institute photographs of the WPI Hall of Luminaries exhibit and opening event

The WPI Hall of Luminaries at the Rubin Campus Center

How do you plan for a recognition program that will last as long as the institution, with new inductees every two years? Content•Design developed an awards wall that featured a grid which will accommodate inductees through 2020. The build partner, 42DesignFab developed a circular edge-lit system to illuminate the recognition plaques, eliminating the need for an unwieldy lightbox.  Additional wall areas will allow the Institute to feature honorees until 2050 and beyond, enough to inspire decades of students.

Worcester Polytechnic Institute photographs of the WPI Hall of Luminaries exhibit and opening event

The award is powered by solar power

The finishing touch to this story of innovation honoring innovation is the Award itself. The concept of light is carried into the design, LEDs hidden in the base of the award, create a sparkle effect that would have made John Boynton, founder of WPI and Luminary, smile.

Worcester Polytechnic Institute photographs of the WPI Hall of Luminaries exhibit and opening event

John Boynton, one of the founders of WPI and one of the Luminaries

We really appreciate having the opportunity to work with a talented team under the direction of Judith Jaeger the Executive Director, Advancement Events & Communications, and University Advancement at Worcester Polytechnic Institute who provided these amazing photographs.