THE BEGINNING OF SOMETHING BIGGER
- 2 days ago
- 3 min read
Bringing the De Havilland Defence story to life through immersive storytelling.
De Havilland Canada & Friends Day marked the public introduction of De Havilland Defence, welcoming government leaders, industry partners, employees, media, and aviation enthusiasts to explore a new chapter in the company's history.
Rather than creating a traditional open house, the goal was to guide visitors through a carefully curated experience that celebrated DHC's legacy while introducing its future in
the defence sector.
The Opportunity
Launching a new division required more than unveiling a logo.
The challenge was creating an experience that educated visitors, celebrated De Havilland Canada's heritage, and demonstrated how that legacy continues through De Havilland Defence. Every touchpoint needed to work together to tell a single, cohesive story.
My Role
Working alongside the communications and events teams, I led the creative development of the event experience, including the launch video, environmental graphics, storytelling installations, aircraft interpretive graphics, signage, and visitor journey. From producing the launch video and art directing exhibit elements to collaborating remotely with fabrication partners in Ottawa, I helped ensure every creative touchpoint worked together to tell a cohesive story that honoured De Havilland Canada's legacy while introducing its future.
Bringing It to Life
Every element of the event was designed to guide visitors through the story of De Havilland Defence.
At the heart of the experience was a launch video introducing the new division and its role within De Havilland Canada's future. Working closely with my internal team, we developed the script before I gathered archival footage, coordinated current-day filming, and produced the video from concept through final edit. Bringing together decades of De Havilland Canada's history with new footage helped create a story that felt both authentic and forward-looking, setting the tone for the entire event.
Visitors then moved through a layered timeline installation that celebrated key milestones in De Havilland Canada's history while introducing the next chapter of the business. Working with an exhibit consultant, I art directed the installation and developed the supporting graphics, ensuring the story unfolded naturally as guests moved through the space.
Outside, custom interpretive graphics accompanied the static aircraft display, giving visitors context about each aircraft's history, significance, and role within the DHC fleet. I also collaborated remotely with fabrication and production partners in Ottawa, advising on lighting, installation details, and visitor flow to ensure the experience felt cohesive from arrival through departure.
To extend the experience beyond the exhibits, guests also had the opportunity to take a scenic flight aboard a De Havilland Canada Twin Otter. I designed commemorative boarding passes as keepsakes for each passenger, transforming a simple ticket into a memorable souvenir that reflected the excitement of the experience and gave
visitors something tangible to take home.
A Favourite Detail
One of my favourite pieces from the event was a multi-layered timeline installation celebrating nearly 100 years of De Havilland Canada history.
Working alongside an exhibit consultant, I art directed the installation and developed the supporting graphics, transforming decades of milestones, aircraft, and innovation into a visual story that guests could experience as they moved through the space.
Rather than presenting history as a series of dates, the timeline was designed to reveal how each chapter built upon the last, celebrating the people, aircraft, and innovations that shaped De Havilland Canada while naturally leading visitors toward the future of De Havilland Defence.
It's one of my favourite examples of using environmental graphics to make complex information feel engaging, accessible, and memorable.
The Outcome
De Havilland Canada & Friends Day successfully introduced De Havilland Defence to government leaders, industry partners, media, employees, and the public through an immersive brand experience rooted in storytelling.
By combining film, environmental graphics, interpretive exhibits, and thoughtfully planned visitor experiences, the event transformed a product showcase into a journey through De Havilland Canada's past, present, and future.
