Howard Buffett is a photographer, but more fundamentally, he is a philanthropist who makes art to improve the quality of life for marginalized populations.
Working with the University of Nebraska Lincoln, the Howard Buffett Foundation wanted to push their collection of photography further to galvanize support for global issues. For such lofty goals, they wanted a partner with bold, unexpected solutions.
STRATEGIC
SPARK
Behind every picture, a world of complex stories collide to make that moment in time happen. So a picture of a gorilla is really a portrait of organizations fighting to reduce climate change and individuals who risk their safety to protect him from extinction. If people knew what was behind each picture, they’d really have something to talk about.
From Spark to Reality
Making it Happen
Physical Gallery
Digital Home
Visual Identity
The photography is housed in a central point at the entrance of the gallery. With an unexpected interaction, guests are compelled to explore further. Physical and digital design combine for a cohesive gallery that stands out among the surrounding campus. The overall style complements UNL’s aesthetic while breathing fresh life into the space. Darker tones add a touch of drama and capture the gravity of the subject matter. The real world experience is replicated with a virtual site audiences can access via a QR code.
The Work
Digital Gallery/An interactive installation lets people explore the stories behind the photography.
Podium Interaction/Guests traverse through a digital gallery using gestures to navigate.
Visual Identity/Graphic elements create an ownable, intriguing vibe to tie the whole experience together.
Design as Art/Brand elements effortlessly transform into signage, way-finding and more.
Identity/We worked closely with the architects and other vendors to develop a visual identity for the entire space.
Custom Technology/A remotely serviceable interactive in the lobby allows for easy maintenance and updates from anywhere in the world.
The Results
Reach
Conversation
Fundraising
By bringing the physical environment into a digital space, UNL has been able to share content across their campuses so more students can access the work. It’s even begun leveraging the piece as a fundraising, marketing, and talent cultivation tool across university operations.
Most importantly, the art is inspiring the next generation to care about global issues they never would’ve encountered and catalyzing change for decades to come.