Despite attracting Fortune 500 companies, The Greater Columbus Economic Development Corporation's digital presence projected an outdated image that contradicted their forward-thinking approach. I transformed their website with interactive 3D modeling, WebGL animations, and a cohesive design system that finally reflected their role as a modern economic hub.
The Greater Columbus EDC plays a vital role in fostering economic growth and enhancing the quality of life in Columbus, Edinburgh, and Bartholomew County, Indiana.
Despite their critical role in business attraction and regional development, their digital presence failed to reflect their forward-thinking approach.
Their outdated website created a disconnect between their innovative economic strategies and how they presented themselves to potential investors and partners.
The Challenge
The EDC faced a critical disconnect: while working to position Columbus as a modern economic hub (Cummins, Faurecia, Toyota, etc), their digital presence projected an outdated image.
The website – the first touchpoint for potential investors and businesses – lacked visual appeal, interactive elements, and failed to showcase the region’s unique advantages.
This misalignment undermined their credibility and effectiveness in a competitive economic development landscape where first impressions are decisive.
Statistics showed that visitors spent less than 20 seconds on their homepage, a concerning metric for an organization whose mission depends on engaging stakeholders and communicating complex value propositions.
The EDC needed a digital presence that would:
- Immediately convey professionalism and innovation.
- Effectively communicate regional advantages.
- Engage visitors through interactive experiences.
- Project confidence to enterprises considering relocation or expansion.
That’s why the company contacted me.
The Solution
Project Details
Interactive 3D City Center
We transformed Google Maps data into a detailed, interactive 3D model of Columbus’s city center using Blender and WebGL for deploying it on the web. This wasn’t just visually impressive – it was functional.
Visitors could explore and click on major buildings to reveal their significance, history, and role in the community.
The model included animated traffic patterns that brought the digital city to life, creating an engaging experience that held visitor attention 6x longer than the previous static design.
WebGL Animated Scenes
We created sequential WebGL scenes that guided visitors through the region’s competitive advantages – from logistics and transportation networks to workforce quality and business support resources.
These animated transitions created a narrative flow that kept visitors engaged while absorbing critical information.
Cohesive Design System
To ensure consistency across all digital touchpoints, we developed a comprehensive design system.
This included typography, color palettes, UI components, and animation guidelines that could be implemented throughout the website and across other digital assets, creating a unified brand experience.
The Impact
Enhanced Engagement
The interactive 3D elements immediately captured visitors’ attention, leading to increased time spent on the site and deeper exploration of the content.
Improved User Experience
The intuitive navigation and visually compelling presentation of information made it easier for users to understand Columbus’s value proposition.
Modernized Brand Perception
The new design projected a modern, innovative, and technologically advanced image for the EDC and the Columbus region.
Quantifiable Results
While specific metrics are proprietary, the EDC observed a demonstrable increase in user engagement and positive feedback following the launch of the redesigned page. The interactive nature of the site encouraged longer visits and a greater likelihood of exploring key information.
When you tell your story with clarity and boldness, people pay attention.