CASE STUDY
uni Brands at IMG Academy
From shelf to self-expression: Turning a bookstore corner into a high-tech creativity hub that makes pen brands personal.
When uni Brands (Uniball and POSCA) became an official Signing Day partner of IMG Academy they wanted more than a product display. They wanted a destination. One that would reflect the creativity of their brands, connect with IMG student-athletes, and offer something more memorable than pens on a pegboard.
So we helped them do just that by designing an interactive photobooth experience at the heart of the campus bookstore. Positioned in a 12-foot-wide corner of the store, the installation reimagines the typical point-of-sale space as a digital-first and emotion-driven storytelling platform. Here, students and visitors can create and customize keepsakes tied to their own IMG milestone moments.
The result is a branded, immersive moment that shifts focus from merchandise to memory-making, supporting the brand’s message while sparking joy and self-expression.
Client: uni brands (Uniball + POSCA)
Location: Bradenton, Florida
Size: 12’W x 8.5’H x 3.5’D
Completion Date: 2024
MY ROLE
Creative Director
HIGHLIGHTS
Interactive Photo Booth Experience
Dynamic Digital Content System
Year-Round Engagement Aligned with Campus Events
Inside the minds of makers.
We kicked things off with discovery sessions and stakeholder interviews to understand uni’s creative vision, brand priorities, and audience mindset. An immersive site visit at IMG Academy helped us contextualize how the space could complement student life and the bookstore’s function.
MERCHANDISING DISPLAY LOCATION
From sketches
to self-expression.
We developed several conceptual directions through hand sketches, mood boards, and renderings that explored look, feel, and interactivity. Together with the client, we landed on a standout concept that balanced clean modernity with playful moments of engagement.
Bringing the brand to life, frame by frame.
Design execution extended across the physical installation and all digital creative, including motion graphics for digital headers, an intuitive photo booth UX, customizable photo booth assets, and branded photo strips. The entire system was designed to evolve, able to align with event calendars, seasonal campaigns, and theme-based storytelling.
Photobooth UX: Start and End Screens
IMG Academy branding
Uniball branding
POSCA branding
Photo Backgrounds
Photo Frames
Photobooth assets are updatable so select options can match special calendar events (ex. Beginning of the school year, Parents’ Weekend, Signing Day, etc.).
Photo Props
Photobooth props are in an illustration style to match the creative spirit of the experience and of the Uniball & POSCA brands.
Printed Photo Strip Example
From “blueprint” to bookstore.
We partnered closely with the fabrication vendor throughout engineering and production to ensure the design vision held true through every pixel and panel. We supported finish selections, approved digital assets, and were hands-on during installation, right down to the punch list, product placement, and final photography.
THE RESULT
More than just a bookstore.
The result is more than a bookstore display, it’s a branded, immersive moment that shifts the focus from merchandise to memory-making. Designed to spark joy and self-expression, it reinforces the brand’s message through experience.
The installation has become a high-traffic destination for students and visitors alike, with the photo booth capturing moments that turn into lasting memories.
Project Details
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Site Analysis
Kathleen Carron
Haley RecklingKey Stakeholder Interviews
Brian Gee
Kathleen CarronDesign Input & Brief
Kathleen Carron -
Creative Strategy
Kathleen CarronConcept Ideation
Kathleen Carron
Paul Kovacs
Felipe OropezaTone of Voice & Copy
Bob Raczka -
Display Design
Kathleen Carron
Paul Kovacs
Production Artwork
Paul Kovacs
Photo Booth UX Design
Kathleen Carron
Photo Booth Photo Design
Kathleen Carron
Paul Kovacs
Lawson Soward
Video Production
Lawson Soward
Mike LesniakRenderings & Animations
Felipe Oropeza -
Documents & Drawings
Kathleen Carron
Paul Kovacs