Design Week Portland 2013

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As always, Design Week Portland 2013 was an enlightening and invigorating experience. But this year was extra special, as FINE PDX hosted a panel discussion and open house as part of the week's festivities.

DWP offered us a chance to let our designers get creative with environmental design as we welcomed visitors. The experience began with a few subtle - and not so subtle - clues:

Guidance (or perhaps admonishment?) on the building entrance...

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A larger sign in the lobby inviting guests to the "next level..."

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Directional signage in the elevator...

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And voila! A warm welcome into our home.

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We wanted our guests to experience the entire office landscape at their own pace, so we designed a mobile site to help guide visitors throughout the space.

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We kept the mobile site simple, with each page offering a clue to key landmarks in the PDX office and a checklist to keep track as the adventure progressed.

[[]](http://blog.finedesigngroup.com/2013/10/design-week-portland-2013/eugene-the-unicorn-pinata-app/ "")The landmarks featured an interactive "play" quality to promote interaction between guests and the environment. Landmarks included our resident unicorn, Eugene, and his spoils; the touchscreen monitor, Babette (we name everything around here); the FINE gumball machine(s); the ping pong corner; our famous elevated chair, and more! Needless to say, this wasn't your average office tour.
To orient visitors with our open space, we named all of the glass "offices" with vinyl signage (thanks, Moso Graphics!) and described what the FINE folks are up to in each area.

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[[]](http://blog.finedesigngroup.com/2013/10/design-week-portland-2013/fine_dw-200/ "")FINE also enjoyed hosting a panel discussion centered on the concept of "Avoiding Brand Stank."

A group of our FINE folks discussed the advantages of working with small teams, and how we keep our clients happy - and our company work stellar - no matter what kind of blood, sweat, and tears we have to work through.

In the spirit of the theme, we provided custom sweatbands to our visitors to remind them to work hard despite the obstacles that often arise in the world of brand strategy and design. FINE partner Steve Fine (second from right) jumped right in and donned a headband throughout the evening.

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After the panel discussion it was time to mingle. Guests joined us in the FINE bistro, and wherever they were comfortable, for snacks, craft brews and fine wines from FINE clients Anchor Brewing Company and Chateau Ste. Michelle, and of course, stimulating conversation.

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We also have Two Tarts Bakery to thank for making us our custom FINE "F" cookies again this year. They hook it up for events and parties and leave anyone with a sweet tooth smiling.

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The Two Tarts cookies, Ste. Michelle Wine Estates vino, Anchor Steam Beer, and FINE swag made for a rad spread for our guests to enjoy and converse around.

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Thanks again for joining us in Portland. See you next year!

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