American Institute of Architects Annual Convention

Role: Designer/on-site graphics, O’Keefe Communications

Programs: Illustrator, Keynote

We were tasked with creating the full conference experience for the American Institute of Architects Annual Conference at the Arie Crown Theater in Chicago. Appropriately for the client, we were given loose brand guidelines and the direction “play up the theater setting.” Our client also presented us with the challenge of doing so without using hard set pieces or much furniture. 

My work ensured the conference opened with a dramatic flourish. I created a skyline illustration that was projected onto a scrim at the center of the stage. The host of the conference performed a reading of Carl Sandburg’s poem Chicago as the skyline was “drawn” into the air (and animated by Tim Paul), accompanied by a subtle audio blend of music and cityscape construction sound effects. 

We used visible set changes throughout the conference to make the experience feel more theatrical. Frame elements and minimal screen groupings were flown in on the theater’s rigging system and could be reconfigured into different “sets.” This allowed for visually differentiating the content segments. Lighting played a major part in creating the visual backdrop for the action on stage. These set considerations influenced my design decisions for screen content in order to blend with the stage settings. Overall, we struck a balance of minimal treatment and dramatic effect that filled the stage. 

Our clients were very pleased with the result, and we received great feedback from attendees.