Honk if you hate traffic!

June 2006

maoStudios helps Urban Mobility Group tackle downtown commute

Seattle, WA – maoStudios is now riding bikes as an alternative commute option, thanks to Urban Mobility Group and their vision to convince developers to incorporate flexcar, vanpool, carpool, and bicycle facilities in downtown skyscrapers.

Inspired by an illustrated design piece they developed for the non-profit, a stress-free commute is now top priority for the owners of maoStudios. “We were very excited to work with Urban Mobility Group; their work is so important and will have a heavy impact on the future of downtown Seattle. I personally don’t want to sit in traffic the rest of my life,” smirks maoStudios co-owner Andrea Jensen, atop her Columbia hybrid bike.

UMG hired several other designers to develop a killer sales piece that would sell developer’s and their leasing options – but had no luck. When they finally began work with maoStudios, there were only 3 weeks left to develop an entire 10” x 14” illustration of a future “Utopia Tower.”

Michael Olson, co-owner of maoStudios, recalls the difficult task. “I worked long hours for those few weeks; illustration is a long and tedious process. You also have to consider the revision process. Fortunately, UMG loved what we presented.”

The Utopia Tower brochure’s function is to illustrate how each floor of a building in downtown Seattle could look after the developer rewards commuters who choose alternatives to single car occupancy.

The lowest floor, “Garage C” is entirely single-occupant vehicles. The second floor up, “Garage B” is reserved for FlexCar, Vanpool, and carpool commuters. “Garage A” supports bike facilities, with lockers, racks, and showers for men and women. Floor 2 carries an information desk about commute options and how to plan for that, as well as a café. Floor 10 illustrates the “Commute Options Fair” which UMG will organize for the tenants and employees of the building. Floor 54 shows how these commute options are integrated into property management and function as an effective selling tool for tenants.

“It’s been great working with Urban Mobility Group. It always feels good to work on a project that benefits the public at large.” says Michael.

View more of maoStudios’ award-winning work in our print design portfolio .