Google's personalised android mascot

‘The idea was to create an open source logo … that was released to the developer community without regular brand guidelines,’ says then-staffer Irena Blok, who masterminded the design process. ’It quickly became consumer-facing with millions of people creating their own versions of the logo every day.’ Google has since launched its highly successful Androidify app, allowing users to personalise the logo, easily and in an unlimited number of ways.

Attendees at MWC 2015 were invited to take part in a three-day treasure hunt in an attempt to collect all 124 unique android pins.  The pins were distributed throughout the exhibition at participating Android partner stands and at the 2 Android ‘Lollipop-ups’, large android shaped structures positioned between the exhibition halls.  Attendees scrambled to try and complete the full collection causing what can only be described as a frenzy!

The participating partner stands could be identified by their unique 3D androidified character positioned on their registration desk.  All Android activity at MWC 2015 was designed and implemented by Creative Agency BrandFuel.

Standing two-foot tall and a real showstopper, the 3D Androidified characters were the work of Propshop, a subsidiary to 3D printer company voxeljet. Known for its model making work in the world of film and related industries, and especially for having pioneered the use of  3D scanning technologies, digital design and 3D printing in a world known for its traditions of real-world craftsmanship, Propshop proved an inspired choice.

The pieces printed, Propshop’s real-world modellers went to work on the final assemble and finish. ‘It was,’ says Terry Whitehouse, Workshop Supervisor, ‘a good size job for the workshop. Hours were spent finishing hundreds of parts to a very high standard, carefully masking and painting with airbrushes. The parts were passed onto the production crew for final assembly and eventually mounted on their bases.’ Testament to the charms of the Androids, the project remains a firm Propshop favourite. ‘By the end of the job,’ says Whitehouse, ‘we were all attached to our little Androidify family! The day we finally had to wave them off to Barcelona was a bit sad all round.’

The strong, quirky visual presence of the 3D printed characters at MWC 2015 proved crucial in making Android and Google the talking-point of the tradeshow. Google’s partners were delighted with the results, Propshop’s 3D Androids hitting just the right note: being both a draw in their own right and at the same time serving as the primary visual cue for keeping the all-important ‘partner walk’ constantly in view.

“The characters were a massive success and proved popular all round. We were so impressed with the quality of the finish of each character, a perfect replica and every detail was there regardless of how big or small.” Says Alana O’Regan from Brand Fuel. “Propshop were such a pleasure to work with and we look forward to having another project to send their way.”