Ames Construction

Case Study

Creating Interactive Touchscreen Experiences for Ames Construction's History Center

Overview

Ames Construction, a well-established leader in the construction industry, sought to enhance their corporate headquarters with an engaging and interactive way to showcase the company's rich history and its impactful contributions to the construction sector. To achieve this, Ames Construction partnered with Acts Media, to create a set of immersive touchscreen experiences. These interactive displays were designed to give visitors an engaging, informative, and visually rich experience about the company's legacy. Acts Media also created a 3D virtual tour of the Ames Construction History Center, allowing visitors to explore the museum remotely.

Project Scope

The project involved the development of multiple touchscreen-based experiences, along with the creation of a 3D virtual experience of the History Center. The major elements of the project included:

  • 1

    Interactive Touchscreen Displays – Displays at Ames Construction’s corporate headquarters that tell the company’s history, showcase key milestones, highlight notable projects, and provide rich multimedia content such as images, videos, and historical documents.

  • 2

    Virtual 3D Experience – A fully immersive 3D experience of the Ames Construction History Center, available online for remote exploration.

  • 3

    Custom Content Development – Curated content, including historical documents, photos, project details, and key milestones that were tailored for a compelling user experience.

Challenges

  • Creating an Engaging Experience: Ames Construction wanted to not only inform visitors about their company's history but also engage them in a way that would be memorable and dynamic. The challenge was to design an experience that was both informative and interactive, keeping users engaged through rich multimedia and intuitive interfaces.
  • Seamless User Interaction: With various types of users—ranging from employees and clients to visitors—Acts Media needed to ensure the touchscreen experience was easy to navigate for everyone, regardless of their technological expertise. The goal was to make the user interface simple yet visually rich, creating a welcoming experience for all ages and backgrounds.
  • Data Integration and Customization: Ames Construction wanted to present a large amount of historical data in a meaningful way. The content needed to be dynamically presented in a user-friendly format, integrating text, images, videos, and historical timelines while ensuring smooth transitions between elements.
  • Creating a 3D Virtual Experience: The company wanted to extend the museum's reach beyond the physical location, offering a virtual tour of the Ames Construction History Center. This required building a fully immersive, navigable 3D experience that allowed remote visitors to explore the museum in detail.

Solution

  1. Interactive Touchscreen Displays

    Acts Media developed several custom touchscreen experiences placed strategically within Ames Construction's headquarters. These interactive displays were designed to provide visitors with an immersive journey through the company's history.

    • User-Friendly Interface: The touchscreen interfaces were designed to be intuitive and engaging, with easy navigation through Ames Construction's history. Visitors could explore historical timelines, significant projects, and the growth of the company over the years by simply tapping on interactive elements.
    • Rich Multimedia Content: The displays incorporated a range of multimedia content, such as photographs of landmark projects, video interviews with key figures in the company's history, and archival documents, all designed to bring the company's legacy to life in a visually engaging way. This dynamic multimedia approach made the history accessible, allowing visitors to both read and view compelling visuals, making learning more engaging.
    • Timeline and Milestone Navigation: One of the key features was a timeline navigation system that allowed users to explore Ames Construction's history by decade or specific milestones. Visitors could tap on significant events to reveal detailed information about specific achievements, projects, or corporate developments.
    • Interactive Project Showcases: Touchscreen kiosks provided detailed information on some of Ames Construction's most iconic projects. For example, the "Fleet" section showcased the company's fleet history, allowing users to swipe through high-quality images, technical details, and key facts about notable vehicles and equipment used in past projects.
  2. 3D Virtual History Center

    Acts Media created an immersive 3D experience of the Ames Construction History Center to allow users to remotely explore the museum. This virtual tour was accessible online, offering users a detailed and interactive view of the exhibits and spaces.

    • Immersive Virtual Environment: Visitors could virtually navigate through the museum, walking through rooms filled with artifacts, photos, and displays that tell the story of Ames Construction's history. The 3D experience replicated the physical layout of the museum, providing a lifelike representation of the exhibits.
    • Interactive Navigation: The virtual tour featured hotspots and clickable elements that allowed users to explore specific exhibits in more detail. By clicking on certain areas or objects, visitors could view related content, such as video interviews, project images, or even read more detailed historical data.
    • Rich, High-Quality Media Integration: Just like the physical touchscreen displays, the 3D experience included rich multimedia, including video clips, historical photos, and text-based content. Users could interact with these elements at their own pace, deepening their understanding of the company's journey.
    • Scalability and Access: The 3D virtual museum could be accessed on various devices, from desktops to mobile phones, making it possible for anyone, anywhere, to virtually explore the History Center. This was particularly important for remote visitors, clients, or employees unable to visit the physical headquarters in person.
  3. Custom Content Development

    Acts Media collaborated closely with Ames Construction's marketing and heritage teams to curate and develop custom content for the interactive displays and 3D experience.

    • Data Curation: Ames Construction provided historical documents, project photos, and records, which were then curated and organized into a visually appealing and easy-to-navigate format by Acts Media's content team. The content was designed to highlight not only the company's milestones but also its values and the stories behind the people and projects that have shaped its legacy.
    • Content Updates and Maintenance: A content management system (CMS) was implemented, allowing Ames Construction to easily update and add new content to the touchscreen displays and virtual experience. This feature ensures that the history center remains current, allowing the company to showcase new projects, achievements, and milestones.

Results

  • Engagement and Education: The interactive touchscreen experiences have been well-received by employees, clients, and visitors alike. The multimedia content has engaged users in an immersive and educational experience that brings the company's history to life. Visitors are not only learning about Ames Construction's growth and accomplishments, but they are also able to interact with the material in a dynamic way.
  • Wider Reach through the 3D Experience: The creation of a 3D virtual tour has extended the reach of the Ames Construction History Center to a global audience. Anyone with internet access can explore the company's legacy, making the history center accessible beyond the physical location.
  • Positive Internal Feedback: Employees have expressed pride in seeing the company's journey and milestones represented so effectively. The interactive displays have fostered a greater sense of company culture and history among staff.
  • Brand Enhancement: The innovative touchscreen experiences and virtual tour have enhanced Ames Construction's brand, reflecting the company's commitment to quality, innovation, and transparency. These interactive features highlight the company's success and legacy in an engaging, forward-thinking manner.

Conclusion

Acts Media's work on Ames Construction's interactive touchscreen experiences and 3D virtual museum has helped transform how the company shares its history with both internal and external audiences. By leveraging cutting-edge technology and rich multimedia content, Acts Media has created an engaging, educational, and accessible experience that highlights Ames Construction's achievements, projects, and values. This innovative solution not only brings the company's history to life but also strengthens its brand and broadens its reach to a global audience. The project demonstrates how interactive technology can be used to effectively preserve and showcase a company's legacy while enhancing visitor engagement and education.