Next/Now

We will be sharing our expertise in immersive experience design and digital placemaking at the American Alliance of Museums’ Annual Meeting and Expo this week. Keep an eye out for our very own, Brett Fenton, as he will be representing the team in Baltimore! If you have any questions for us or would like to schedule a time to get together while you are there, email Brett at bfenton@nextnowagency.com. #AAM2024 #ExhibitionDesign #InnovationSpaces #Baltimore

An informative and future-forward experience center. We worked with History Factory to craft a comprehensive narrative of the International Union of Operating Engineers’ history, achievements, and aspirations at their international training center in Houston, TX. The facility’s renovated lobby and common areas feature over a dozen digital interactive touchpoints and supporting graphics across two floors. Check out the full case study here: https://bit.ly/3WEXIu7 #IUOE #ExperienceDesign #ImmersiveExperience #VisitorCenter

Introducing the elevated 360 CHICAGO experience. Next/Now collaborated with 360 CHICAGO and Magnicity to reimagine their observation deck concourse at the historic 875 N Michigan Avenue, locally known as the John Hancock Center. From inception to execution, we've made a space that invites visitors to immerse themselves in a fully realized, story-driven journey. At the heart of this experience lies the pulse of Chicago, narrated through the perspectives of the community, the building, and the city itself. Crafted for locals and tourists alike, elevated design systems enrich the guest journey through intentional and authentic engagements. Take a first look at the transformed concourse below, and stay tuned for more on how we approached this project from concept to creation. #Chicago #360Chicago #Magnicity #ExperienceDesign #ImmersiveExperience #VisitorCenter

Exciting times at Next/Now! Last week, we celebrated the ribbon-cutting ceremony for 360 CHICAGO's new immersive entry experience at the iconic 875 N Michigan Ave. After 9 months of dedicated work, we've transformed the concourse into a captivating narrative of Chicago’s rich history, vibrant neighborhoods, and stunning Lake Michigan views. Thanks to our fantastic client and partners for bringing to life our biggest project yet! Keep an eye out for a closer look at how we brought this vision to life. #Chicago #360Chicago #Magnicity #ImmersiveExperience #Concourse #ObservationDeck

Starting the year strong, our team is proud to announce several new experiences slated to go live during the first quarter, including both permanent and pop-up installations. Check out our latest newsletter: Revitalizing the Flagship
Retail Experience #newsletter #innovation #retaildesign

Continuing our collaboration with brands and partners around the NBA, Next/Now also made an appearance at the All-Star Conference earlier this month in Indianapolis. Working alongside teams from TMA (The Marketing Arm) and State Farm, we built a one-of-a-kind interactive LED court. Fans and celebrities alike visited our booth to compete for the fastest time and have their shot at winning some exclusive merch. #innovation #interactive #popup #bringyourgame #goodneighbor

We’re excited to share a glimpse of our recent collaboration with Lids and the National Basketball Association (NBA) at their new flagship store in Houston. This initiative marks a step forward in retail experiences for the NBA, seamlessly blending the current space with new fan engagement. The project includes a 10' x 16' LED wall, cinematic content and audio across 19 individual touchpoints, and a kinetic sculpture with 66 individually addressable light-up basketballs. All elements are smoothly managed in one place through our proprietary content management system, Activate360. The transformation seeks to create an immersive journey into the world of basketball, connecting fans with the game’s energy and spirit. You can view the full case study on our website: https://lnkd.in/gMhj8zCr #innovation #retail #digitalretail #bringyourgame

We are thrilled to announce that after a competitive process, we were selected by Magnicity and 360 CHICAGO to renovate the entry concourse experience for the iconic 875 N Michigan Avenue experience, locally known as the John Hancock Center. Our design will invite visitors to learn about Chicago's many cultures and iconic features before seeing the city from 1,030 feet above. The project is slated to be fully completed by the end of Q1, with phases to be open for public viewing as they are installed. Read more about the upcoming project: https://lnkd.in/g9c6UwFJ #innovation #immersiveexperience #chicago

We are thrilled to take a moment to shine a spotlight on Chris Atchley, one of our talented senior producers, as he celebrates numerous recent milestones both professionally and personally. Chris has been instrumental in executing some of our most significant projects, working with high-profile clients like Cushman & Wakefield, Chicago Cubs, Whirlpool, and Accenture, showcasing his unwavering commitment to excellence. Outside of the office, he has recently embraced the joys of fatherhood with the birth of his son. We feel incredibly fortunate to have Chris on our team, and we extend our heartfelt congratulations and best wishes to him in this exciting new chapter of his life.

I was recently a guest speaker at Next/Now, an innovative creative studio in Chicago. They reached out after seeing my Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Starter Guide for Creatives and asked if I could discuss it along with my experience in the space as a designer. I thought, “YES! Let’s talk about this!” It’s a fantastic feeling to be a part of any conversation or action that supports Diversity & Inclusion. I also thought, “Wait... am I qualified for this?” Then I realized that’s the whole point. We all start somewhere, and one of the best ways is by listening to those with experiences to share. I’ve learned so much from so many, and I am honored to be given the chance to continue to share what I’ve learned while also speaking from my own lived experiences. Big thanks to Next/Now for humbling me with this opportunity and for inviting me into their conversation. It's so important that we creatives continue to learn, grow, and make progress in the DEI&A space! [The images I'm showing in this post are examples of some of the D&I projects I've been part of throughout my career.] Pono Design Studio #DEI #DEIA #DiversityEquityInclusion #Accessibility #DesignCommunity #CreativeCommunity #SpeakerSeries