How do you pay tribute to innovation?

ITW is one of the world's largest manufacturing corporations, with a history of innovation spanning nearly 100 years. Much of the company's growth and leadership has been due to discoveries by employees on-the-job that led to patent-protected products.

The company had long recognized its most influential inventors through an esteemed corporate Patent Society. The group was highly regarded, but its profile was fairly low within the company. Smith was asked to create a three-dimensional tribute to these individuals whose creations helped to foster the phenomenal success of ITW. We designed a permanent exhibit that includes custom-built plaques, silk-screened patent murals, new furniture and lighting fixtures and a custom-designed timeline rail that encircles the display. To capture the inspiration of each inventor, we interviewed coworkers and family members to craft on-target messaging relating to each person's passion for innovation, as well as their contributions to the company. The exhibit, which takes up an entire room, is housed at corporate headquarters.