West Office

I wasn't able to make it for this field trip, however, based on the West Office website it seems to me there are drastic differences between Mauk's firm and West Office's. The first thing I noticed are the clients West Office has worked for. There is a trend of permanence with the types of exhibits they work on, such as the Discovery Museum at the World Forestry Center and the Saudi Aramco Exhibit Center. Many of the exhibits also tend to have the element of interactivity, especially with children.

The virtual tour of the the office space shows ample workspace, a lovely wall library, lots of desks, plenty of natural light, and a mystery upstairs area (the virtual tour doesn't cover the upper level).

West Office Trip - Matthew Kuukka

The visit to West Office was amazing they seemed to be a very large scale design firm. There presentation was very good showing their process and how they come from the initial clients calling them all the way to following up on the instillation of the exhibits. The office was very impressive in how it looked and the layout and organization of how the teams worked. I liked that no one had a permanent desk and that they moved people around into smaller team depending on skill sets and projects needs. They drawings that were on the wall were also very nice and my favorite thing from the trip, to bad we couldn’t take pictures of it. Overall a great trip and gives great ideas about how the exhibit design industry works.

Project 7 West Office Nancy Salcedo

West Office

I enjoyed the trip to west office. I really liked the atmosphere and the people were all very nice and informative. What I found the most interesting from the trip was looking at some of their projects that they had displayed for us to see. I also really enjoyed waking though the space and seeing their design process.

Project 7 West Office Jewel Boone

I particularly liked the slide show presentation that walked us through their process, from getting the call, to making the plans to send to the fabricator, to setting up and witnessing the opening of one remarkable exhibit after another. I think my favorite exhibit would have to be the one that included a silver mine to scale, on top of a long abandoned jail, and the model for it. One thing that I can definitely say would be good for our exhibit is the technique of having proxy throw ups of what things could or would look like in a particular way, before actually taking the time to build and see if it works or not. I greatly enjoyed my time at West Office and I can't wait to see what our exhibit will look like in the end.

West Office Trip - Brian Hoey

The trip to West Office was really interesting. The layout of their office is what I had invasion a design firm to look like. It was interesting to hear that the arrangement of the office was so that members of the project can talk with each other easily. Each of the office cubicles are interchangeable to allow the designers to work next to each other. It was also interesting to hear how they even sometimes act as an agent for the client to make sure they get the best quality for the money that they are paying. Even after they find a company to build the project, they are constantly in communication with the engineer to make sure every little detail is done correctly. It was also crazy to hear that some of these projects can take a couple of years to design. One of my favorite parts about the field trip was seeing the mock up models of the exhibits. I learned that the mock up models play a big part in helping fund money for the project. I think for our exhibit we should keep the communication between the teams strong so we know what direction we are going. We can also show possible funders the mock up so they can get an idea of what the exhibit will look like.

Project 7: West Office Laura Munoz

 
West Office is a design firm with a team of designers, planners, researchers and writers focused on Exhibition design. Their portfolio includes The California Museum of History, Hong Kong Science Museum, Levi Strauss, and much more. The company does amazing work; each project is done with a high level of professionalism. They spend a lot of time planning and building models. The amount of care for each project shows in their work.

Project 7 West Office Maria Alvarez

I had a great time at our visit to West Office Design in Oakland. I enjoyed the atmosphere of the office and the people seemed very focused in this kind of environment. Their office was very clean and the displays were neatly set up. All their sketches and ideations were perfectly aligned on the wall.  The presentation was enlightening. It was good to see their approach at design process and the development of their projects. They work in project teams; a graphic designer, exhibit developer, researcher writer, and a multimedia designer all associated on a project. They do a fair amount of modeling much like an architecture firm. They have a position called the exhibit developer. This particular position entails someone typically with an education or museum background. They’re the people that really are the brain trust of their office. They are the ones that research the content and synthesize it for the designer to some degrees. As a result, they ultimately specialize in interactive museums, cultural centers and corporate exhibits.

One of my favorite displays was the visitor center for Levi Strauss. It was very colorful and dynamic and good use of open space. The letters that included stories from fans to Levi was pretty cool to see as well. 

Project 7 West Office Victoria Gouzikovski

The trip to West Office Exhibition Design was very informative about exhibit design. I liked the very creative, free atmosphere in the studio. The walls lined in projects, the models covering the tables, and the many books lining their shelves served as inspiration and overview for current projects. What really added to the atmosphere was how organized everything was! You would think that with a creative place where they work on multiple projects at a time would be a bit chaotic, or at least somewhat cluttered- and the orderly environment seems to enhance efficiency and even creativity in the company.

During their explanation of their creative process I noticed that they were just as organized when it came to deadlines and their workflow. This is probably why the company is so successful! They mapped out everything from master planning, to concept design, to design development, and so on. The niche design firm has around 18 people working for it at the moment so I suppose they have to be even more organized than smaller companies, but this amount of people proves to be an advantage for them since they know how to organize such a crowd.

Project 7 West Office Austin Mitchell

I liked the fact that WOED designs science exhibits. I have an interest in science, and i think it would be sweet to work in an environment where I could combine science and design.I also like the fact that not all of the exhibits designed by them were just for looking at. Some were interactive and invited the viewer to touch and experience the exhibit first-hand. Their website contains a lot of pictures of children touching things and learning. This, I think, is something to consider for IN Pulse. Also, seeing the models around the office made me realize the importance of building a prototype to visualize and communicate ideas. As leader of the structures team, I will make sure to utilize the model of Jack Adams Hall that is available to us and construct prototypes of our structures for it

Project 7 West Office Amanda Danihels

After visiting the West Office Design Firm in Oakland I was really in awe of the multitude of their exhibit designs. Seeing as they specialize in designing museum exhibits I was naturally blown away by the scope of their work. Museum exhibits are always a marvelous wonder to me and I often find myself pondering how they came up with the exhibits and how on earth were they actually implemented. Being able to get a behind the scenes look at how these museums and west office reach their ultimate goal. Museums house timeless and classic works of art and at West Office they properly represent this notion with their exhibits. Each exhibit we viewed offers so much interaction and education on various levels of interest. I was really impressed by the Las Vegas Springs Preserve exhibition they designed because of how large it was and the fact that they were able to work with such a large space and still make it completely aesthetic and functional. I liked that they worked with all different kinds of museums and exhibits and thought it was funny that there is actually a museum for Cowgirls. I also couldn't believe how much time they put into a single project and was shocked when they told us that the Robert Mondavi Museum took fifteen years to create. I really liked the design of their offices and the open feeling it had. It seemed like a really good environment for creating and implementing ideas. Everyone who worked there seemed really driven and laid back. It was an awesome firm to be able to visit and it seemed like a dream to be able to work there

Project 7 West Office Alfred Velasco

After the presentation in the beginning of the trip, I was very impressed by the amount of work/exhibits they have done. Not only was I impressed with the quantity, but also the variety of projects they get involved in. They always try to do different things every project, and I thought that's what makes working there very interesting and refreshing. I was most interested in the exhibits that attempts to recreate a certain time period. I thought working on something like that would be very cool. I like how exhibits design involves every aspect of design – product, graphic, etc. – and have it all working together. West Office represented how everyone works together. And it definitely shows in the exhibits they have done in the past.

Alix Jiang | West Office field trip

It is a different atmosphere at West Office comparing to the Mauk Design office. 

West Office has specific emphasis on big exhibition projects, which are long-term and information-oriented. Their work style is highly-organized and has precise steps. I am quite surprised by their huge mass of hand-sketches as well as models. Steve said: "Sometimes clients just love models and are persuaded by rough sketch models." This made me realize that in this high-technology world, we still certainly have to master some basic skills that show both quantity and quality, proving the effort that we put into our design process.  

project 7: WOED

With creatives from across the nation, the 20+ person design studio encompasses design professionals ranging in specialty from writing, graphic design, multi-media design, content developing, 3D animation to hands-on model making.. Steve Wiersema informed our group of the lengthy, solid training that takes place at a specialized firm before one can comprehend the craft and task of exhibition design; a profession that isn’t readily taught at art school. WOED designers’ ability to collaborate openly in a beautiful and airy environment, lends greatly to effective communication, and must provide a hotbed of collaborative creativity..

photo: WOED creative motivators..

Project 7: Paul Carlson -- West Office Exhibition Design

One thing that struck me about our trip to West Office was their emphasis on rough sketches and sketch models. With all the technology available nowadays, I think often the “preferred” approach is to use it as much as possible for the wow factor. However, as was pointed out, some people just cannot be engaged by 3D CAD mockups or renderings; in these cases, drawings or sketch models can be invaluable. I think this is a good lesson for us to take to heart; for all of the tools and resources we have at our disposal, sometimes nothing beats taking pen to paper or making something out of foamcore or clay or whatnot.

Project 7-Tiffany Yip

Going to a field trip to the West Office in Oakland was an excellent experience for me because I saw how it would be like to work at a design firm. I loved seeing the models of the museums because there was so much detail and it’s amazing to know how the final museum will come to look like. I like the idea how the models are in a table in the middle of the big room so people would circle around it while observing the student’s projects.

project-7-west-office-design-LEo Zhao

West Office Exhibition Design Field Trip

The west office field is definitely an eye opening experience for me. I loved it is office. That's the kind of design office I always dreamed about. They have large open space, they have a shop inside the office, and the office itself is well designed. I think the presentation is like reviewing what we are doing right now. I am glad that our design process is similar to theirs which means we are on the right track.
They also talked about looking for space and the very important thing is how the exhibition feels. It is like creating a mood. And also make the decision about the overall aesthetic for the show is important too. Then we will be able to figure out what kind of design will be more suitable for our show and what’s not. Then we can make choices for both the 2-D and 3-D designs.
I like their idea about use stories to communicate which client. They also know exactly what they want to do and what they don't want to. I think it is important for a designer to know what he wants to design, what his strength is and make the most use of it.
The models in the office are impressing. Seeing all the models is inspiring because our structure team is almost getting to the same phase about our design. It will be great if we can create some models for the overall structure.

Project 7 - WOED - Noriko Matsuba

Yay West Office!

The entire office is quite impressive with its wide-open space that encourages creativity and collaboration between designers, the overall organization and cleanliness that allow designers to concentrate on their work without environmental distractions and the array of exhibit models that showcases all their genius. The models are so fascinating in their ability to create an aesthetic functioning space that evokes a certain mood, time or story. It is amazing that these exhibits may be up for a few months to fifteen years and still be just as effective as the opening day!

Our class may be able to implement the principles of their workspace set up. They have separate areas to work on individual projects yet can easily access their neighbors for feedback. So far in class, we crowd around each other and try to map out responsibilities but it is a bit cramped with all the groups and we often do not have our own space to work. If we can create this sort of set up within the classroom, perhaps we can work more comfortably and effectively with each other.

Project 7: West office Design by; Marion G.

West Office Exhibition Design: Observation


The visit to West Office was an informative event where I learn what renders good design for exhibits building. The main focus for their design work evolved around making exhibits for museums and corporations. Our tour guide explained that their work is specialized and when they hire new employees are taught on the job. Most of their staff is trained in 3-D designs, graphics, and multi-media. This office completes its designs for exhibits in as short as six months and up to fifteen years. Unlike most design offices that use preliminary sketch modeling their hands on modeling techniques are extensive and intricately detailed. Some of the models on display where approximately five feet by five feet. The guide explained that their work is client intensive which means they work closely with their clients, and all work is done to their specifications.

One of the first phases in making contracts for clients is budgeting and work schedules for completing. The next phase is researching all possible exhibit styles, space management, and creating mood boards. West office design does a fair amount of hand drawing because it’s faster and saves time. The final phase of this process is the concept design phase, and this consists of creating a book on the exhibit. The book indicates what the exhibit is about with pictures describing its theme. Prototyping is done in the office, and design programs such as vector works is used to convert sketches. We were informed that most clients like physical model when starting their exhibits because it gives them an idea of what the end project will look like.

In concluding my observation on the west office field trip I wanted to say that it was informative on how to work with others to complete one project. Designers must work efficiently. Their design processes is similar to our own. We will need to work together using everything learned at west office and all of our course work. Some of the similarities used at west office and our own design work include mood boards, prototyping, sketching, and analyzing different exhibits.

Project 7, Tabassom

     In West Office Exhibition Design field trip, I really liked the open space of the office, and the way that all designers and departments see and interact with each other without thick and tall walls blocking their way. All the ideas and designs for 1 project were pined up next to each other on a wall and the designers could see them easily or walk up to them to add some new ideas or just make some changes. The open space that they had, made it more accessible and convenient for them to work within the workspace and each other.

     The most effective influence that WOED visit had on me was beautiful models that were laid out everywhere in entire office. The perfectly made models were so adequately detailed that attract every eye in the room to themselves. I could spend minutes standing next to them and observing every piece of the model with admiration.

     In my point of view, since our exhibit is a group project, it is nice to have a space where we put all the ideas that we have for the exhibition next to each other so that we can see them all at the same time. In that order, we can easily subtract the thoughts that we don't like and add the designs that we need more to complete our mission. Also, nicely made models are key to present thoughts to others and that's the other issue that we have to consider.