Get Connected Display at the Minnesota State Fair

Minnesota Department of Transportation

TransComm 2015 Skills Contest8d – Graphic Design, Display

Show how transportation connects Minnesotans to their daily lives and why additional funding is necessary to continue to provide a safe, efficient and sustainable transportation system

Hear from the public about their experiences with transportation in Minnesota and identify their concerns

Goals

The 10-foot by 40-foot booth was divided into two main areas: the Get Connected display panel and a rest area. • The display panel gave visitors large visuals with snippets of information

about Minnesota’s transportation infrastructure.• The rest area was a space for visitors to sit for a short break and discuss

transportation-related topics with MnDOT experts.

The booth

Booth layout

The focus of the display was to inform visitors of the current state of Minnesota’s transportation infrastructure and create discussion topics in four key areas: • Community – Explains the value a multimodal transportation system brings to

communities.• Economy – Highlights specific projects from MnDOT’s Corridors of Commerce program.• Innovation – Demonstrates MnDOT using innovative practices to lower project costs,

increase safety and minimize impacts to travelers.• Infrastructure – Explains how Minnesota’s infrastructure is aging fast while the

demand on the system is increasing.

 

The display

The simple color palette (green, black and grays) and flat graphics follows the design of the Get Connected website, launched earlier in the year.

Four columns of information are broken up by large shapes and sharp angles that lead the viewer through the large panel.

One large focal image contrasts the flat graphics used in the rest of the display.

The short paragraphs of text makes it easy for viewers to consume. It alsoallowed for content to be converted into small infographics for distribution on social media.

Design

102 MnDOT employees from various fields and regions of the state staffed the State Fair booth, including:◦ Top level staff, such as MnDOT

Commissioner Zelle, the Deputy Commissioners and the Division Directors

◦ Areas of expertise included engineering, bridge, finance and maintenance

Staff

Distributed key messages from the display and booth through Facebook and Twitter

Hung Get Connected signs, with the location of the booth, on the MnDOT plow that drove in the daily parade

Attracted high-profile visitors to the booth, including Minnesota Governor Mark Dayton

Promotion

Minnesota Governor Mark Dayton in the booth with MnDOT staffers.

More than 1.8 million visitors attended the two- week Minnesota State Fair, with hundreds of thousands streaming daily through the building where MnDOT’s booth was located

MnDOT staff distributed more than 22,000 maps to booth visitors

Visitors filled out 1,079 surveys and 390 comment cards

Display has been successfully re-used in other public venues since the fair

Measurable results