USDOT Smart City Challenge

Denver, Colorado

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Services

Strategy

Messaging + Storytelling

Creative

Digital Design
Graphics
Video

Visualization

Renderings + Animations
Film + Motion Graphics

Challenge

The US Department of Transportation launched a Smart City Challenge, asking mid-sized cities across America to develop ideas for an integrated, first-of-its-kind smart transportation system that would use data, applications, and technology to help people and goods move more quickly, cheaply, and efficiently. The Challenge generated an overwhelming response: 78 applicant cities shared the challenges they face and ideas for how to tackle them. Then, seven finalists worked with DOT to further develop their ideas.
Denver, Colorado was one of the seven finalists. As part of the final application, a 3 minute video was required, highlighting the major points of a several-hundreds of pages technical document.

AERIAL VIDEO + MOTION GRAPHICS

MAYOR MICHAEL HANCOCK at UNION STATION

Story + Solution

Our objective was to create an educational and visually compelling video that engaged the viewer while providing detailed information about Denver’s entry into the USDOT Smart City Challenge. The introduction and voice over by Mayor Michael Hancock combined with interviews of two Denver citizens provides a direct connection to the people of Denver and the advanced technologies that will be utilized throughout the Smart City.

The video was initially viewed live during Mayor Hancock’s presentation from Washington, DC, and broadcasted across the country. It was used throughout the Smart City campaign and continues to be viewed on the USDOT’s online pages. This video serves as an example of what a Smart City can be and will continue to be utilized for years to come.

Specific criteria included

Create a story that emphasizes how the Smart City technology will positively affect the city
Create quality presentation with engaging visuals and an informative script
Inform and educate about Denver’s unique approach to the Smart City
Design a system of motion graphics that emphasizes how the different
technological solutions interconnect throughout the city
Film a variety of footage that emphasizes each piece of the story

UNION STATION

DENVER INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT (DIA)

INTERVIEW

TIME LAPSE + MOTION GRAPHICS

AERIAL VIDEO + MOTION GRAPHICS

MOTION GRAPHICS

Process

The first step in the research began by collaborating with members of the Mayor’s office, engineers, marketing experts, CDOT, transportation experts and a variety of other specialized professionals.

The second step involved a process of storytelling. The vast technological details required a number of meetings and discussions to determine the appropriate messages. Simultaneously, we worked together to determine how to emphasize a human connection.

The third step began with filming a variety of footages, including DIA, RTD lines, bus routes, interviews, etc.

The fourth step involved designing a visual language of motion graphics that could translate the technological approach into a clear and cohesive message that demonstrates how all of these pieces – from advanced technology to people – form one system that ultimately benefits the citizens of Denver and propels it into the future.

This thorough approach enabled us to create a video that engage our audience with visual depth and clarity while simultaneously adding robust layers of information that give the audience a seamless understanding of the advantages to Denver’s answer to The Smart City Challenge.

The Smart City Challenge Video was used in Mayor Hancock’s presentation in Washington, DC. It was then presented on the United States Department of Transportation websites. It has been continually utilized in presentations throughout the country as an example of what a Smart City can be.