Over the past 15 years, the Vectorform team has built and maintained long term relationships with some of the world’s largest brands, working with companies such as Microsoft, Chrysler and 3-Dimensional Services (our very first client, who we still work with today). Building these strong relationship has allowed us the opportunity to create ground breaking digital experiences for some of the world’s largest brands, while continuing to extend our expertise to fortune 500 companies across the globe.

As you might expect, some of our projects stay off the radar of the public due to confidentiality agreements with these companies; however, many other projects (such as Pandemic, Galactic Alliance, Settlers of Catan and Tron) have gained a great deal of attention due to their unique style of gaming and connections to pop culture. While every project we have worked on holds great importance, there are a few that have marked major milestones for Vectorform. Here’s an inside look at some of the projects that stand out in our history…

Microsoft Retail Experience

In October of 2009, Microsoft opened its first retail store to coincide with the launch of Windows 7. These inaugural stores (located in Scottsdale, Arizona and Mission Viejo, California) provided visitors everything from PCs loaded with digital experiences to on-demand software burning. Vectorform oversaw the design and development of all the customer experience applications, from requirements-gathering to deployment, ensuring a great experience for every savvy shopper young and old.

“A company-wide effort to build from the ground up, 13 in-store experiences across several different platforms (in 3 months) that were rolled out nationwide.”

Kevin Foreman, Director of Product Vision

“A turning point for VF and catalyst for starting the Seattle office. This project helped pave the way for many other future successes.”

Woody Floyd, Executive Director

Chrysler 200C Concept Vehicle iPhone Application

The Chrysler 200C iPhone App was the first fully functional mobile application that enabled remote management of car vitals, including windows, locks, climate settings, and driver profiles. In addition to remote management, the application also increases vehicle security, with break-in warnings, automated police notifications, an interior view from the in-vehicle camera and location services.

The application debuted with the 200C concept vehicle unveil at the 2009 North America International Auto Show (NAIAS) in Detroit, MI. Vectorform engaged users with the 200 again four years later when, in a subsequent engagement in our long-term relationship with Chrysler, we successfully launched the award winning 2015 Chrysler 200 mobile app.

DTE Insight

Designed and built in its entirety by Vectorform, in partnership with DTE Energy, DTE Insight is the world’s first real-time home energy management platform deployed by the utility. Designed to engage users in discovering and improving their personal energy consumption, the DTE Insight experience includes the front-end iOS and Android applications, backend services, and our first hardware product: the Energy bridge.

With a unique blend of coaching, gamification, and social elements, DTE Insight engages users with their personal energy consumption, ultimately reducing their energy use with increased efficacy over traditional energy-reduction methods.

“Our most ambitious project to date. Introduced many firsts, such as our first patent, hardware device, gamification platform, and more.”

Kevin Foreman

Media Coverage 

Download the app: iOS ~ Android

MSNBC Election 2008 Surface Experience

This interactive, touch-screen experience, which marked the debut of the Microsoft Surface platform, consisted of seven election-themed applications used on-air by MSNBC Political Director Chuck Todd during the 2008 Presidential election. All applications were custom developed with a unique set of features and functions to showcase the on-air excitement and possible outcomes of the election.

The application suite included:

• Electoral Map of the United States
• Battleground States
• McCain
• Obama
• Polls
• Congress
• First Read Scatter View

With the Vectorform team on-set for support, the MSNBC Election 2008 Surface Experience debuted on MSNBC on Monday, September 8, 2008. This would not, however, be the last time Vectorform contributed to political coverage: four years later, we developed an updated app suite for the 2012 election.

“This app was running on live television without a single hiccup. I definitely felt like we were playing with the big boys at this point.”

– Patrick Samona –Director

Virtual Colonoscopy

The world’s first Virtual Colonoscopy (VC) Viewer is multi-touch user interface allows physicians to view and manipulate a 3D rendering of a patient’s colon. This revolutionary collaboration with Microsoft, Massachusetts General Hospital and Intel won top honors at RSNA 2010 and the 2012 Microsoft Health Users Group, Innovation Award.

Using software to translate a series of CT scans into a 3D representation, Vectorform’s VC Viewer provides physicians with life-like imagery and seamless navigation using natural gestures including pan, zoom, pinch, traverse and rotate. This Natural User Interface (NUI) solution was highlighted at TechFest 2011, which brings Microsoft researchers and Microsoft product teams together in Redmond, WA to showcase the innovative technologies emerging from Microsoft’s research efforts.

“One of my favorite projects to work on. Very impactful story/results, utilized extensive technology stack, and worked with some very well recognized partners.”

Patrick Samona

Next up in the blog series… Part 4 – VF Seattle Office.