CPI is a pioneering organisation at the forefront of innovation, driving advancements in various sectors through cutting-edge research and development. The social enterprise provides the equipment, labs, and expertise to scientists who are ready to take their work from the idea stage to the market, and everything in between.

To celebrate their 20th anniversary, CPI turned to Arke with a bold idea: create a series of captivating case study animations to showcase their key milestones—short, looping videos showcasing their top projects and achievements over the past 20 years. But what started as a simple creative task quickly evolved into something much bigger: a three-tier creative collaboration between CPI and Arke.

The case study animations led to the creation of a static timeline for CPI’s 20th anniversary, which our team took to the next level by transforming it into an engaging, interactive experience to be showcased at roadshows, expos, and networking events, highlighting CPI’s key milestones and achievements. The timeline comprised a vertical line stretching from the conception of CPI twenty years ago, to the present day at the top. Along the line were over 30 milestones called out with headlines and photography, including multiple entries for some of CPI’s busiest years. This key graphic was able to be scrolled up and down on a display screen for browsing at a glance. It was well-received and achieved the goal of showcasing CPI’s history of successes.

Looking to build on this successful graphic: through close collaboration and a meticulous approach, Arke proudly crafted a more interactive version of the 20th Anniversary dynamic timeline, that perfectly encapsulated CPI’s journey over the past two decades. This vibrant creation again featured key milestones, but also built on the interactive elements by including tabs for deeper audience engagement, allowing users to browse through more content including videos and photo galleries.

But we didn’t stop there. This digital project evolved into something tangible and hands-on: a rotating wheel that physically embodied CPI’s spirit of innovation by showcasing its values. One creative concept spanned three different mediums, all making a splash at roadshows and expos.

Here’s how we did it!

Where it Began: The Animated Case Study

It all began when CPI approached Arke with the creative task of making a series of animated case study graphics. These animations would be short, impactful, and showcase some of CPI’s greatest achievements for their 20th-anniversary celebration.

Working closely with the team at CPI, we embodied CPI’s brand through our creative approach, ensuring we incorporated their brand themes, colours, and identifying features into the graphics, all while showcasing the wonderful achievements of each story. We started with rough scamps of possible lockups of the key information, during the ‘dwell’ segment of the animation.

(See initial roughs of key moments in the case study below)

We also considered the progression of the animation, and how elements would build to form the key visual, and then dissipate, appearing seamlessly when played in any order. (See the initial rough storyboard below)

When it came to working up the rough visual, the 20th-anniversary-specific branding was capitalised on, with the inclusion of coloured orbs and the flowing ribbon being used to create seamless movement to showcase the multiple achievements. These animations were created to be viewed on large screens in foyers and outdoor settings, so legibility needed to be considered, and the types of photos being chosen to represent each milestone.

The Next Mission: Showcasing Innovation and Growth

After having success creating animated case studies, the team at CPI approached Arke with the goal of using the same concept of showcasing highlights and innovation through an interactive timeline that not only highlighted CPI’s significant achievements but also reflected the company’s growth over the past two decades. The mission was made clear: to create a dynamic display that would captivate audiences at roadshows and events, extending the impact of their company achievements into a more interactive format.

A Vision of Engagement

CPI’s vision was clear from the start: the timeline needed to be both informative and visually appealing, serving as a showcase for their achievements while celebrating their 20th anniversary. So we got to work, creating an interactive design that would work seamlessly on a vertical display screen (1080 x 1920 resolution).

We knew the timeline had to engage viewers in a fun, memorable way, making it not just a display of data but an experience in itself. This meant that images, videos, and content needed to be easily accessible and visually stimulating.

Creative Choices: Bringing the Vision to Life

CPI had achieved so much in 20 years, and we were entrusted to find a way to cohesively and dynamically showcase that. Year by year, CPI grew both in achievements and employees. Initially, we considered using molecular connected dots to symbolise growth and innovation of their company. However, we ultimately opted for a central linear timeline with branching entries. This design provided a clear, straightforward representation of CPI’s achievements and effectively incorporated the anniversary logo and staff icon into the timeline’s structure. It’s like having a roadmap that not only highlights milestones but also celebrates the journey!

We began by exploring several design concepts before settling on the final version which encompassed the key features of CPI’s brand, one of those being centred around round orbs that can be seen throughout CPI’s style templates, website and core to their theme. It was important to maintain their presence within the timeline for the most cohesive representation of the brand.

Next, we integrated the brand’s colours and logo prominently as this was key to ensure a smooth transition. We maintained the colour scheme established by CPI’s brand guidelines and the recognisable 20th Anniversary theme. We used a sleek palette of silver and white against a blue-grey gradient, accentuated by vibrant orbs to add visual interest and dimension. The swirling design of the 20th Anniversary logo was incorporated to infuse a sense of movement and depth into the timeline.

Now, it was time to make the timeline pop, we went all-in with a dynamic, descending design that’s way more exciting than a static scroll. Picture this: glowing orbs that light up to show staff growth and a timeline that’s ready to be showcased at any event, even if there’s no Wi-Fi in sight. It’s not just interactive; it’s a visual thrill that keeps everyone engaged and entertained!

Content tiles were crafted to showcase text, images, and videos in a visually distinct way. To keep the timeline engaging and user-friendly, we employed a range of fonts and styles. Under the leadership of our Head of Creative, we added icons and visual elements with depth and shadow effects, which enriched the overall experience and made navigation a breeze.

The Next Creative Phase:

As the timeline was coming into its own, our creative team was struck with inspiration. Knowing that CPI would be presenting the dynamic timeline at roadshows and expos, we wanted to add another dimension to the creative catapult. So, we branched out, proposing a tangible rotating wheel that demonstrated CPI’s innovation. 

With an event fast approaching, we knew CPI needed something innovative for handouts—something that would stand out from the usual leaflets and truly celebrate their 20th-anniversary milestones. So we crafted a unique, engaging piece that would highlight their three core pillars: People, Places, and Planet.

What started as an initial suggestion of how CPI could demonstrate how they live and breathe innovation, even when printing promotional materials, became a piece showcasing their key values. (See initial rough visual above)

Through several stages of conceptualisation, we explored different creative routes, from multiple spinning wheels to other interactive ideas. Ultimately, we honed in on a single, circular rotating wheel, which was both simple and versatile. This design allowed us to showcase CPI’s greatest achievements – aligned with their values –  while maintaining a clean, modern look. Given that orbs are a staple in CPI’s branding, we integrated them into the rotating wheel, adding a touch of familiarity and style.

We went through multiple rounds of mock-ups and testing, experimenting with elements like a grey gradient background to provide depth and focus, and choosing the perfect matte finish for a sleek, professional feel. To drive engagement further, we included a QR code linking directly to CPI’s 20th-anniversary landing page. The result was a dynamic, eye-catching piece that perfectly aligned with CPI’s brand and drew in the crowd.

By coordinating coloured orbs and careful design choices, we ensured clarity and cohesiveness across the entire experience—making the spinning wheel a standout success at CPI’s event. This spinning wheel would accompany the digital timeline at roadshows, seamlessly bringing the three-tier creative project together and offering a cohesive, interactive experience that celebrated CPI’s 20-year journey.

Outcome: Celebrating 20 Years with Style

What began as a single creative project evolved into a three-tier experience across different mediums. We were proud to deliver a final product that CPI was thrilled with—one that truly captured their journey and highlighted CPI’s many achievements. Our team transformed their impressive growth into an engaging digital timeline and a tactile impact wheel, both of which captivated audiences at roadshows and expos. We thrived on the collaboration with CPI, syncing up with their vision and leveraging our expertise in design and interactivity. Together, we crafted a project that not only celebrated CPI’s rich history but also set the stage for its future innovations.

For more insights into our projects and creative solutions, feel free to explore our portfolio and stay tuned for future updates!