Headquarters
A thoughtful environmental graphics system can shape how we work, frame new perspectives, and ultimately influence company culture. The break area was an undifferentiated extension of the factory floor, an underutilized throughway for snacks and coffee. With simple design activations like large format images to frame the space, video game stations, and art, it became a town hall - a burgeoning multi-use gathering place for connection.
The wayfinding system, inspired by the cylindrical shape of our rockets, organized movement through the facility. Large red banners were visible from anywhere on the factory floor, helping to orient visitors. Red stanchions containing safety equipment lined the walkways, marking the department locations. Throughout the factory, key pathways were lined with branded artwork to create a sense of transition and flow from one part of the facility to another. All of these activations served to create a cohesive Virgin Orbit brand experience at the facility.
It influenced where employees chose to walk, where they worked, and perhaps most importantly, how they felt.
How do you cultivate Virgin culture through spatial storytelling? This was critical for two primary audiences: customers and employees. It was imperative for the Virgin Orbit brand experience to be consistent with other Virgin companies in order to ensure brand equity. We activated several key brand storytelling across the facilities. These included:
Displaying comic book artwork to emphasize the story of the rocket launch (and neon lights on top for style!);
Printed silver metallic wallpaper to bring the materiality of aerospace to life;
Repeated wallpaper patterns inspired by satellite ground-tracking to create brand cohesion;
Subversive quotes and visual icons in unexpected places to create delightful surprises.
Mojave Test Site Supergraphics
The test site was a one-of-a-kind facility located in the middle of the Mojave desert. Working with architectural designer Ji Won Lee, we created supergraphics inspired by film sets, strategically placed to capture the key stories from the launch operation.
Payload Processing Facility
Customer lounge and waiting area.
Mobile payload processing trailer.
