Wearable wayfinding design

Multifunctional credentials for the world’s premier immersive arts conference

When the world’s leading conference for experiential artists and designers relocated for a year to Denver, venues spread across the city posed significant wayfinding challenges. It was the first time this group convened after over two years, having skipped its 2020 and 2021 gatherings as a result of COVID concerns. Seeking to create community after the closures, the programming emphasized intimate networking and small interactive experiences alongside keynotes, requiring attendees to navigate between multiple venues while connecting with the right people.

CHROMAKAIROS designed multifunctional nametags that doubled as portable programs, with QR and NFC access to an interactive digital map. A color-coded system across badges and venue signage distinguished attendee categories, creating clear visual pathways and helping volunteers quickly support different groups throughout the event.

Chromakairos developed an interactive map that helped attendees orient themselves—not just physically, but socially and culturally within Denver’s landscape. With a single click, participants could get directions from their current location to any venue, while also discovering where to go for the experiences that matter: locally-loved coffee shops, quick bites, and gathering spots recommended by local participants.

Our approach to wayfinding recognizes that orientation means more than knowing which direction to walk. It’s about understanding where you are within a community, a city, and a gathering of peers. By including event locations, official conference hotels, and these curated points of interest, we created a resource that helped attendees navigate both the physical city and the social fabric of the experience.

To create continuity across physical and digital environments, we furnished organizers with templates for social media posts, presentations, and signage. As attendees moved around the city and engaged online, they could easily recognize event activations—creating a sense of belonging for newcomers and pride among year-round residents.

Client: Immersive Experience Institute
Services: Experience and wayfinding design strategy, brand identity and implementation, interactive web development
Year: 2022