Studio Walks West Loop
Event Review By Ben Dahl

On a day only slightly less hot and uncomfortable than Katy Perry on Sesame Street, AIGA Chicago, in association with 24 Seven Chicago, took creatives from all walks of life on studio walks through some of Chicago's most influential design studios. If you were on the West Loop walk (there were also walks in Wicker Park and River North), this meant the chance to visit McGuffin Creative Group and IDEO.

Even if you've been there countless times, walking in to McGuffin is always a treat. The trick was mingling with the employees and visitors without monopolizing the keg of Goose Island 312 situated in the new conference room and the dozen or so bottles of wine in the kitchen. What truly separates McGuffin from other studios is the same modus operandi that makes AIGA itself great: community. I defy you to walk in to McGuffin, especially during a studio walk, and leave inside an hour. It just isn't possible. Even if you don't take the tour (we did, and motorized standing desks are awesome) or consume complimentary alcoholic beverages (we did), you're bound to lose track of time engrossed in conversation. The simple truth is that everyone in that office is outgoing and more than willing to discuss anything from creative projects to vinyl wall decor to the merits of Nickelodeon Guts. By the time we were done taking pictures in the photo booth, getting showered with swag and hydrating, the walks were almost over and we still hadn't seen IDEO yet.

The first thing you're greeted by when you set foot in IDEO's Chicago studio is what can only be described as a gallery of past project successes. IDEO has had some part in everything from redeveloping a rhinoplasty machine to reimagining the traditional iPhone dock to creating a portable kidney transplant machine. The office includes multiple kitchens, an industrial shop that would make Bob Vila jealous, and a roof deck with a garden, multiple grills and more deck chairs than your average Vegas pool.  As our gracious host led us back to the party that included sangria and Pacifico (as a Chicagoan, I'm aware of the fact that I should enjoy 312 more than Pacifico, but I don't, so sue me) we realized that the studio walk had officially ended more than half an hour ago. No one from IDEO said word one about it being time to leave.

Having toured countless studios, I can say without a doubt that the McGuffin and IDEO studios are two of the best. Sure, there was free beer and cheese, but it was about so much more than that. AIGA is about more than just design, it's about community. If the studio walk was any indication, McGuffin and IDEO share that sentiment. In short, AIGA studio walks are the best possible use of a Tuesday evening imaginable.

Event Overview
AIGA Chicago asked a variety of firms to open their doors and share their experience for our Studio Walks. West Loop takes you to the diverse companies listed below. Start where you like and follow a path of your choosing. All firms will keep their doors open from 6-8:30pm. Each studio tour will provide an intimate opportunity for attendees, hosts and sponsors to network and socialize. 

Particpating Studios (so far)

McGuffin Creative Group
566 W Adams St, Suite 440
Think.
And do.
That's what we do.
What does "do" mean, in this context? Ask questions, identify problems and opportunities, figure out the best way to proceed, create and execute communications accordingly on your behalf in one form or another, accept your heartfelt expressions of appreciation and offer them right back atcha. Rinse and repeat.

http://www.mcguffincg.com/

IDEO
626 W Jackson Blvd, Suite 700
Founded in 1991, IDEO is an innovation and design firm that uses a human-centered, design-based approach to help organizations in the business, government, education, healthcare, and social sectors innovate and grow in three ways:

Identify new ways to serve and support people by uncovering their latent needs, behaviors, and desires.

Visualize new directions for companies and brands and design the offerings—products, services, spaces, media, and software—that bring innovation strategy to life.

Enable organizations to change their cultures and build the capabilities required to sustain innovation.
http://www.ideo.com/
 

This is a FREE event but registration is required.