New York City (May 4, 1998) - Black Hammer Productions, Inc. has created an interactive sales presentation for the Pyramid Companies, one of the largest real estate developers in the United States. Although Black Hammer completed the disk within a short ten-week development schedule, the CD-ROM is loaded with special features: (1) vector-based Flash animation maps which allow panning across, and zooming in and out of, site plans; (2) photorealistic 3D models that superimpose planned expansions on photographs of existing properties; and (3) an interactive organization chart which incorporates videotaped interviews with Pyramid's top executives. Pyramid will use the CD-ROM presentation as its primary sales tool in seeking a buyer for the company.
Pyramid owns and operates properties exceeding 45 million square feet in the Northeast. After a lengthy search for a developer who could complete a high-quality presentation within a short turnaround time, Pyramid turned to Black Hammer to create an interactive presentation that would do justice to its large portfolio of properties. Ken Stanford of Pyramid explained, "of the firms we interviewed, Black Hammer was the best at CD-ROM development. We felt that they were innovative and would be creative in designing the presentation." Black Hammer's president, Matthew Schlanger, noted, "normally, a project of this scope would take several months but we assembled a team which completed the work in only 10 weeks to meet Pyramid's deadline."
Black Hammer's art director, Pauliina Raitosola, delivered an attractive design that organizes a wealth of information about the company, its history and properties, such as financial information, tenant mix, and area demographics. The Pyramid CD-ROM provides intuitive navigation through its many sections; for example, a buyer may view company history in autoplay mode or skip to a specific year by selecting it on a timeline.
The special features are the highlight of the Pyramid CD-ROM. Potential purchasers can pan across, or zoom in and out of, site plans for 22 Pyramid shopping complexes. For each property, potential purchasers can also view a 3D model of planned expansions that is overlaid on a photograph of the existing complex. Potential purchasers may determine management structure by calling up an interactive organization chart which incorporates videotaped interviews with Pyramid's top executives. Schlanger pointed out, "this piece shows Black Hammer's versatility. We designed the interface, created the animations, interface art and 3D models, and provided sound production and programming. We have become very experienced at creating complex interactive projects for corporate clients."
Black Hammer Productions, Inc. was founded by Matthew Schlanger and Andrew Hunt, who were featured among New York Magazine's "Cyber 60" as leading interactive developers. Black Hammer creates and refines corporate identities through multimedia products, including Web sites, commercial and corporate CD-ROMs, Shockwave games and interactive kiosks. Additional information about Black Hammer can be found at its website (www.blackhammer.com).
Wed, 1998-05-13
