By John Blyth, Ricoh Graphic Communications, Ricoh Europe
The Ricoh stand at drupa has been the subject of a lot of attention.
It’s bold, colourful design is as distinctive as it is striking. Quite unlike anything else to be found in the sprawling Messe showground with its 17 halls.
Many visitors to the bustling booth in Hall 8A have been asking about the stand’s design. What is the story behind this remarkable space?
The answer begins with Ricoh’s heritage. We are a Japanese company and are very proud of that. The second core part of Ricoh’s identity that has informed the stand design is our innovation mindset. The Japanese word for Transformational Innovation is HENKAKU, which perfectly captures our guiding principle, as an innovation powerhouse.
So the Ricoh stand at drupa is imbued with those two central aspects of who we are. Our Japanese background and values as well as our commitment to innovation.
Traditional Japanese architecture cues abound, and calligraphy too. These influences have been given a modern, hi tech twist that creates a cyber zen atmosphere; it’s a harmonious marriage of the eternal with the cutting edge. Visitors are invited to a stand that’s part studio, part gallery, part learning ‘dojo’, part business advice centre. All built around the towering House of HENKAKU theatre at the heart of the stand with its strong Japanese temple references.
In this theatre, frequently run short shows blend a beautiful Japanese ambience, accompanied by stirring music, with state of the art technology to create a dramatic, immersive experience.
For many of our visitors, it is the avatars above all that make the Ricoh stand so extraordinary. Inspired by anime films and the spirit animals which hold deep cultural significance in Japan, the Dragon, Harpy Eagle, Owl, and the Jaguars all feature prominently, and most thrillingly at the theatre show’s finale. The avatars embody the properties of Ricoh’s technology, and bring additional personality, colour, drama, and impact to every delegate’s onstand experience.
They feature in the work of a celebrated Japanese manga artist, Uchida, who is all day reimagining scenes from the theatre show on the walls of the theatre, drawing crowds, and creating new memories for every visitor.
The stand uses vibrant colours, dark materials, and colourful print to contrast the white exterior. Furthermore, recyclable materials are used extensively to ensure that the space is sustainable as well as stimulating.
In summary, the Ricoh stand is where Japanese craft meets energy and imagination, and we are encouraging everybody still planning to visit drupa to step into the HENKAKUVERSE, and join us. It’s a place of imagination, transformation, and Co-innovation.
The last word though goes to one of our visitors who told us: “What you’ve created isn’t just an exhibition stand it’s a destination”.
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