Graphic Design - ROIDESIGN

Creating Renderings for Exterior Building Improvements

by Rayanne Rzepka | Oct 26, 2022 | Designing Public Areas, Graphic Design

Alpine Slopes_2020_Building1_Exterior Concept_02-01

For the most part, r.o.i. Design is known as a commercial interior design firm, but we also do exterior design as well. Many of the projects that we work on require design and consulting on the materials and colors for a building’s exterior. For some projects, that is all we do.

For instance, a longtime customer, DTN Management in Grand Rapids, owns several multi-family residential complexes throughout the state. One of the local properties, Alpine Slopes Apartments, needed improvements to the buildings’ exteriors to update the look and provide less maintenance.

We worked with their team to provide options for new siding and paint options. We created renderings from photos we took to show how the new finishes would look when installed. This proved to be a valuable tool for DTN. Replacing the siding on all the buildings of a large complex was a major undertaking, so making sure it would look right was important.

The new siding has gone up on most of the buildings, including the clubhouse and pool building. It looks great and is a real improvement. We are happy to have been able to help DTN and look forward to more collaborations like this in the future.

Click on thumbnails below to view larger images.

A New Home for the Midwest Miniatures Museum

by Ryan | Nov 17, 2021 | Design News, Designing Public Areas, Exhibit Design, Graphic Design, Interior Design, Lighting Design, Project Management

The Midwest Miniatures Museum held its Grand Re-Opening on Nov. 6th, 2021, in Grand Haven, Michigan.

Formerly located at Hickory Corners on the grounds of the Gilmore Car Museum, the Museum had been looking for a new location that was much more accessible and fitting in aesthetic to display their miniatures collections. After an extensive search, they were finally able to acquire the historic Nathaniel and Esther Robbins House in downtown Grand Haven.

r.o.i. Design was referred to the museum by independent museum consultant, Timothy J. Chester, and we were engaged in 2019 by the Museum’s director, Ina Whitney, to assist in the design of the first-floor exhibit. We visited the Hickory Corner location along with Ina and the Museum’s administrator, Hanna Steinman. We selected the items to be displayed and began the process of designing the exhibit.

We designed new display cases and fixtures for the exhibits in a style imitating the interior trim of the home. In addition to supporting the curation of the exhibit, we also managed the execution. We engaged Bluewater Studio to create the exhibit fixtures, and their attention to detail and care for the artifacts made the project a success. We also added new gallery lighting to the historic home and worked with contractors on interior upgrades as needed.

The initial display shows some of the best of their collection from miniature rooms, complete miniature structures, a silver collection, miniature art, textiles, as well as displays of miniature toys, tableware, and so much more.

The museum is now planning for future phases and is engaged in fundraising to add an elevator and create more exhibits on the home’s 2nd and 3rd floors.

If you are in the Grand Haven area, you should plan a visit to the Midwest Miniatures Museum to see this unique collection.

Click on the thumbnails below to view larger images.

Merl’s Towing Gets an Updated Façade

by Ryan | Oct 20, 2021 | Design News, Graphic Design, Retail Design

The owner of Merl’s Towing and Grand Rapids Towing, Dick Caster, is a long-time friend of r.o.i. Design. His late wife, Mary Jane Caster, was one of the founding members of r.o.i. Design. So, when he came to us needing help to dress up his business’s exterior, we were happy to help.

He did not want to spend too much money on the renovation, so the scope was limited to mostly repainting. We wanted to make the façade of the building look up-to-date and modern, but also have an element of fun. We produced a paint scheme that included vertical stripes with bold colors. Within the two orange stripes on the front, we also added some horizontal accents to break the pattern up.

We made a rendering in Photoshop so Dick could see what it would look like, and his painter could use it as a guide. The result was a success, and the building looks great!

Click on the thumbnails below to enlarge photos.

Burco, Inc. Updates Their Walker Offices

by Ryan | Apr 8, 2020 | Branding, Design News, Graphic Design, Interior Design, Workplace Design

We met Mike and Lisa Mervenne through an introduction by West Michigan Office Interiors. They are the owners of Burco, Inc., an amazing company that supplies automotive mirrors for new and after-market. This multi-generation business is an entrepreneurial inspiration. It’s reflective of the business creativity in West Michigan, but more specifically of their corporation.

Our year-long relationship of designing and budgeting resulted in a great remodel thanks to Erhardt Construction and Joe Kuhn. The project was completed early this year.

The remodel included more open office areas, an expanded break room, more efficient office layouts, and branded décor. Building on their amazing brand, r.o.i. Design developed an interior design scheme that reflects their brand colors, culture, and needs.

In addition to interior design, we were able to provide graphic design for custom branded décor, as well as providing new furnishings for their break room.

“Coming Right Up” – Projects Soon to be Completed

by Ryan | Dec 16, 2019 | Construction, Design News, Exhibit Design, Graphic Design, Interior Design, Project Management

r.o.i. Design is busy with nearly 30 projects this December, and three to four projects will be completed soon.

Funky Buddha:

Adding a fourth location in West Michigan, Funky Buddha is planning to open a storefront studio at “Studio Park” in downtown Grand Rapids this winter. Known for their “hot yoga”, this place is “steaming” cool. The team at “FB” engaged architect Jon Blair of r2Design and r.o.i. Design for interior finishes and details. They have refreshed their branding, as is evident by their clean new website. This latest location supports the brand in its simple but bold approach. Our contractor friends at First Companies, Inc. are making it all happen.

Burco:

A family business that produces and distributes car and truck mirrors and related products decided to upgrade its office with new finishes and in-office branding. Their products are creative and solution-driven, so why not make the office match that creativity? That means an expanded lunchroom with all new cabinets and furnishings, punches of the company’s “blaze-orange” accents, painting out the old mahogany trim, and all-new office furniture. It is quite a transformation! Thank you to Erhardt Construction for making us all look good.

West Michigan Pediatric Dentistry

This growing practice in Holland, MI is in the final phase of building their new office. West Michigan Pediatric Dentistry engaged the help of Dixon Architecture, r.o.i. Design, and T2 Construction to make it all happen. The new office includes expanded square footage in most areas from their current offices. Waiting, exam, treatment, and kids’ areas all grew. The much-loved model train and fish tank are being updated and replaced with newer models. In addition to the calm but kid-friendly interior finishes and details, r.o.i. Design was asked to design their new logo. And of course, we incorporated the train into the new brand. Stay tuned to see more of how this project turns out!

Grand Valley State University:

Using all of our skills in exhibit design, graphic design, and interior design, we created a soon-to-be-installed exhibit that will be unveiled at GVSU’s downtown Pew Campus this winter. It is always great to work with GVSU!

Custom Signage for Sunshine Community Church

by Ryan | Dec 16, 2019 | Design News, Graphic Design

Sunshine Community Church in Grand Rapids recently purchased and remodeled a building in the city’s northeast side at 3019 Coit Avenue NE, near Riverside Park and the Grand Rapids Home for the Veterans. The new building is a perfect fit for their congregation after downsizing from their campus on the East Beltline.

With a new building, the leadership realized they needed some wayfinding signs to direct their parishioners where to go. Years ago, when they were still on East Beltine, r.o.i. Design helped them with some wayfinding signage there, so they remembered us and gave us a call.

Since then, they had re-branded themselves, with new logos and graphic standards. We worked within the branding standards to create a family of signage for the building’s needs. We created identity signs, wayfinding, directories, and entrance signs to make it easier for visitors.

We also worked directly with their signage vendor, FastSigns in Grand Rapids, to get the signs fabricated and installed. They did a great job and the signs look great. Sunshine Community Church is very happy with the way everything turned out.