Manchester Metropolitan University
Open Days
Shaping the future of university experiences
Collaborations between universities and creative technology organisations are shaping a new era of student engagement and innovation.
At Focal Studios, we specialise in delivering tailored, tech-enabled solutions that help universities elevate events like Open Days. From project and event management to the installation of immersive tools such as digital totems, interactive maps, selfie walls and way-finding systems.
These collaborations go beyond logistics - they reflect a shared commitment to building environments that speak the language of today’s students offering more than just a campus map and a tote bag.
As higher education continues to evolve, partnerships like these, exploring the interplay between creativity and academia will be essential in delivering impactful, future-facing experiences that resonate with young people.
At Focal Studios, we're always striving to bridge the gap between cutting-edge technology and a wide range of industries. Our goal is to evolve alongside the modern world, embracing innovation to create experiences that move with the times and push boundaries.
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From concept to delivery, we provided full-scale project and event management to ensure the open day ran smoothly and effectively.
This included detailed scheduling, on site coordination, and seamless collaboration with university staff and partners.
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We designed and delivered digital activations that elevated the campus environment and guided the visitor experience. Delivering touch-screen digital totems, interactive campus maps and intuitive way-finding, we curated an experience that redefined the traditional open day. From the strategic placement of installations to the production of branded content, every element was designed to feel cohesive and user-led.
Our on-site technical support ensured everything ran smoothly throughout the day, allowing the technology to perform reliably and adapt in real time to the needs of visitors and staff.
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We directed the creative vision for the open day, meticulously shaping the visual language and narrative across the campus. Using digital totems, interactive maps, way-finding and more. Our approach balanced functionality with innovation, creating an environment that was both intuitive to navigate and inspiring to explore, while representing Manchester Metropolitan University’s progressive and future-focused identity.
What we delivered
Elevate your open day
Our collaboration
In partnership with Zest Management and Playmaker Studio, we transformed Manchester Metropolitan University’s campus into a seamless, engaging, and future-facing visitor experience. From the moment guests arrived, every touchpoint was considered, coordinated, and designed to feel intuitive and inspiring. Our role spanned end-to-end event and project management - supporting the flow of the day, coordinating multiple teams, and enhancing the environment through creative technology and thoughtful design interventions.
From curated screen content, to digital signage and way-finding, we ensured that the open day wasn’t just functional, it was memorable. Including Interactive installations, immersive visual components, and smart logistical frameworks that helped translate the university’s identity into a physical experience, one that spoke directly to prospective students and their families.
These collaborations go far beyond logistics, they reflect a shared commitment to building environments that speak the language of today’s students. In a time when attention is short and expectations are high, we aim to offer more than just a campus map and a tote bag. We create encounters that feel personal, forward-thinking, and emotionally resonant.
Our long-standing relationship with Zest Management and Playmaker Studio is a cornerstone of this success. Built on trust, shared vision, and mutual respect, these partnerships empowers us to move efficiently and creatively across high-pressure, complex projects. Zest’s deep understanding of audience engagement, access management, and event operations pairs seamlessly with our technical fluency, storytelling, and design-led thinking. Working alongside Playmaker Studio - who brought their creative vision to life through the design of discovery screens and intuitive way-finding - we formed a powerful, multidimensional team.
This collaboration allows us to push the boundaries of what's possible within educational experiences, aligning strategy, design, and delivery into one cohesive experience. Every project is an opportunity to reimagine the standard and elevate expectations, and with Zest, we're proud to continually raise the bar.
Our project partners
