Day 2 of the Hawai’i visit began with a golf outing with the HSFCU and Element team members that were not a part of the morning budget meetings. During this time, the Element design team took the opportunity to expand on the “Build a Branch” model and tape out the space in greater detail.
While the designers were finetuning, others from the Element team introduced and demonstrated POPi/o, a video banking solution. This software provides easy access to remote banking specialists, allowing them to video in, and securely share and sign documents with members and prospects. Alternatively, it allows members to access and utilize those same capabilities from their smart phone or tablet. Element also introduced TracPlus powered by Performance Delta, a modular software system based out of Jackson, MS. This is an automated program that allows financial businesses to tailor a variety of systems geared to reach their growth goals. Features include management of growth patterns, referral systems, rewards programs, cross-sell tracking and more.
Day 3 continued the discussion surrounding the layout of each in-store location. That day, the design elements were tweaked to ensure they were up to code and create a space that was equal parts comfortable, attractive, and business focused. There needed to be a continuity with other branches in the network, as well as capture the feel of each location and its people.
For instance, the smallest branch shifted its layout from the trapezoid concept but maintained the same elements as the larger in-store branches, as well as design aspects from the current full-size branches in Salt Lake and Ewa Beach. Another shifted the placement of its offices to increase the amount of private spaces. Still others diverged from the design aspects in the full-size locations and implemented the cube concept, emphasizing the areas geared towards positive member engagement.
Additionally, each branch maintained a focus on either the brand new ITMs or, the cube to trapezoid inspired concept. Based on these changes, concrete decisions surrounding the digital and the graphics were incorporated into the space and the location; each containing vertical digital screens and interactive touch tables or walls to best showcase HSFCU’s product and services. These graphics will be designed to blend seamlessly and look like a feature within the retail environment.
Upon finalizing the in-branch designs, the Element team put them into SketchUp. This allowed the HSFCU visitors to view the new branches on the Oculus Virtual Reality, and do a complete walk through of the rendering, while interacting with an expanded “Build a Branch” model, still on the floor. While fun, it served its greater purpose of illustrating the depth of each location and gave a greater feel for the overall impression for each in-store.
That evening ended with the Element team sitting down with Ish, Aaron, and Ryan to hear their perspective on the visit and gain their insight on the design process. The three-day visit concluded with dinner at Surf before the HSFCU team’s return to Hawai’i early the following morning.
