The Helix, Booz Allen’s Center for Innovation
The Helix is an immersive executive briefing center for clients and stakeholders that demonstrates the collective impact of Booz Allen’s people, technology and greater innovation ecosystem. The Helix is the property of Booz Allen Hamilton. Information included below is publicly available.
Team Members: Various Members of the Booz Allen Hamilton, Chief Technology Office
Support: Booz Allen Hamilton, Chief Technology Office
Awards: See Below
Project Background
The Helix, Booz Allen’s Center for Innovation is an immersive environment designed to help customers from the U.S. Government, private sector and corporate partners harness the power of advanced technology to solve challenges impacting their missions. Emerging technology and cutting-edge solutions are brought to life through compelling, hands on simulations, product demonstrations, and multi-media touch-points through in person and virtual mediums.
Summary of Creative Responsibilities
Design and construction of The Helix began in 2020 and was opened in the fall of 2022. I currently serve as Creative Director overseeing the content design for a multi-media exhibition hall including an AI Adoption studio, 2 digital properties and portable demo experience for trade remote events and conferences. I coordinate with both internal and external creative teams to deliver new content, while managing a content repository of stories and technical demos. Prior to opening in, 2022, I was a key stakeholder in the developing the service design and customer experience, brand identity and consulted on the architectural design.
Customer Experience
Understand the unique needs, goals and objectives of the varied customer audiences and guests that engage with the Helix both prior to opening and ongoing through operations.
Customer Research + Persona Development
Service Blueprints + Journey Mapping
Experience Measurement
Content Development
Develop compelling, user-centered stories focused on customer’s mission needs and the way technology can support missions of national importance.
Story Development + Visual Storyboarding
Copy + Script Writing
Film + Audio Production
Interaction Design
Design compelling experiences for digital — web and inperson — and analog touchpoints that elicit delight, curiosity, and a greater understanding of emerging technology.
Requirements Gathering
UI/UX Prototyping (Web and In Person)
Usability Testing
Interior and Industrial Design
Create an awe inspiring environment through state of the art audio visual equipment, modern materials and tactile experiences in collaboration with experts in AV and Architecture.
Exhibit Concepting, Prototyping + Fabrication
Consultation on Architecture, Lighting and Decorating
Consultation on AV Installation
Outcomes & Impact
Public Website
2022 Launch
Press Coverage
Team Awards
Since opening, The Helix has been proud to be publicly honored by several industry organizations of its innovation in the content design, architecture and brifing center operations. These were awarded to the collective Helix team and organization of Booz Allen.
World Class Briefing Center Award, Global Association of Customer Engagement Professionals (ABPM)
Most Innovative Technology Company, CODiE Awards
Telly Awards (Gold) Immersive, Interactive & Mixed: Best Business-to-Consumer
Telly Awards (Bronze) Immersive, Interactive & Mixed: Best Use of Interactivity
Telly Awards (Bronze) Immersive, Interactive & Mixed: Best Branding
NAIOP MD | DC Award of Merit, Best Interiors
Full Time Designer, Part Time Muralist
As a part of The Helix’s design and construction, I also served as an in-house muralist painting a 35 foots illustration of Booz Allens over 110 year history. An abstracted view of the world pays homage to Booz Allen’s past, present and future and the people who have shaped missions of importance along the way. When complete, I worked with a team of XR designers that leveraged Adobe Aero to create an augmented reality layer to bring key stories to life.
