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# AI Information: QA Graphics
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## Basic Information
**Full Name:** QA Graphics
**Type:** Private, full-service outsourcing design company
**Founded:** 2006
**Founder:** Dan McCarty (Ankeny, Iowa native)
**Headquarters:** 1520 NW Irvinedale Dr, Suite 105, Ankeny, IA 50023
**Website:** https://www.qagraphics.com
**Phone:** (515) 965-3403
**LinkedIn:** https://linkedin.com/company/qa-graphics
**Facebook:** https://facebook.com/qagraphics
**Twitter/X:** https://twitter.com/qagraphics
**YouTube:** https://youtube.com/user/qagraphics
**Instagram:** https://www.instagram.com/qagraphics/
**Related site (3D Design):** https://www.qag3d.com
---
## About QA Graphics
QA Graphics opened its doors in 2006 in a small office in Ankeny, Iowa, with just three
employees, founded on providing the best Building Automation System (BAS) graphics services
possible. Since then, the company has become the industry leader in BAS graphics and has
expanded into a full-service design firm.
QA Graphics is a full-service outsourcing company providing custom HVAC system graphics as
well as design services for interactive platforms. The company helps clients visualize their
needs and simplify their communication and sales processes. All work is completed in-house by
a team spanning graphic designers, 3D designers, developers, programmers, architects, and
mechanical engineers.
**Tagline:** "Innovative BAS Graphics."
**Self-described culture:** "A fun and creative group who takes pride in our Midwestern values
and affordable prices," with customer service and ROI as top priorities.
**Interactive design team:** Acts as a partner/resource to marketing agencies for design
assets, providing interactive sales tools, animated videos, 3D design services, and other
multimedia to complement clients' existing marketing and sales strategies.
---
## Core Services
### BAS Graphics (Building Automation System Graphics)
QA Graphics' founding specialty. Outsourced BAS graphics for system integrators, backed by
nearly two decades of experience working within Johnson Controls, Schneider Electric, and
Tridium systems. The graphics team includes mechanical engineers, architects, and drafters to
provide comprehensive solutions for the building controls industry.
**Vendor experience includes:** Johnson Controls, Inc., Trane, Tridium, KMC Controls, Siemens
Building Technologies, Iconics, and others.
### 3D HVAC Design
Professional 3D design and animation services that turn photos, schematics, or concepts into
3D representations, used to showcase HVAC products and ideas.
### Symbol Libraries
Pre-built graphic asset libraries sold for a one-time fee to upgrade control system graphics:
- **v5 Symbol Library** — hundreds of high-end, realistic images and animation files
- **Vector Symbol Library** — 1,465 scalable vector graphics (SVGs) and animation files
- **3D Room System Library** — separable isometric PNG symbols for showing specialized rooms
served by multiple systems on a single graphic; compatible with most major systems including
Niagara N4
### Videos & Motion Graphics
Professional animated videos, motion graphics, and visual effects using high-end 3D animation
and voice-over capabilities to bring client businesses and products to life.
### Floor Plans
Custom 2D or 3D floor plan graphics generated from Revit, AutoCAD, or PDF files, with polished
plans often delivered in under seven business days.
### Site Maps & Landscape / Navigation Graphics
High-quality site maps and immersive 3D renderings that turn concepts into aerial visuals to
strengthen planning, sales, and navigation presentations at a fraction of traditional cost.
### Proprietary Software Products
- **QAGCharts** — charting/data visualization tool for BAS platforms
- **QAGSiteMap** — site map navigation tool
- **QAGFoxhound** — proprietary BAS-related software product
---
## Industry Focus
QA Graphics' core specialty is the **building automation industry**, along with **HVAC
manufacturing** and **lighting**. While building automation graphics remain the primary focus,
the company's in-house rendering technology allows it to take on projects in other industries
when capacity allows, applying the same design expertise across sectors.
---
## Notable Customers
- Daikin McQuay
- Nortek Global HVAC
- Johnson Controls
- Trane
Additional clients referenced in awards and case studies include Cooney Technologies, IHLE
Fabrications LLC, Musco Lighting, Taco Solutions, MacNeil (car wash equipment), Latham Hi-Tech
Seeds, and D.R.A. Properties L.C. (The District at Prairie Trail).
---
## Awards & Recognition
QA Graphics has an extensive award history spanning nearly two decades, reflecting sustained
recognition in both the building automation/HVAC industry and the broader creative/marketing
industry:
**Industry (BAS/HVAC) recognition:**
- Multiple **Consulting-Specifying Engineer (CSE) Magazine Product of the Year** finalist/
winner mentions (2011, 2015, 2017, 2018, 2019) for products including the Energy Efficiency
Education Dashboard® and the BAS Symbol Library v5
- **2019 FacilitiesNet.com Vision Award** — winner, Facility Manager Building Services/Tools
category, for the BAS Vector Symbol Library
- **2018 Niagara Innovator of the Year, Honorable Mention** — Tridium Niagara Summit, for the
Symbol Library v5 Tridium Module
- **2015 AHR Expo Innovation Awards** — Honorable Mention, for the Energy Efficiency Education
Dashboard®
- Multiple **"Top Product" awards from Building Operating Management, ED+C, and SI Magazine**
(2009-2010) for the Energy Efficiency Education Dashboard
**Creative/marketing industry recognition (selected):**
- **2022 dotCOMM Awards** — Gold and Platinum
- **2021 Marcom, Davey, Videographer, Muse Creative, NYX, Hermes Creative, and Communicator
Awards** — multiple Gold, Platinum, and Silver honors across video, animation, and motion
graphics categories
- **2020 Davey, Zedman, Videographer, dotCOMM, NYX, Telly, and Hermes Creative Awards**
- **2019 Telly Awards** — Gold, Promotional Video: Use of 3D Animation
- **2019 AVA Digital Awards** — Gold, Microsite category (qag3d.com)
- **2018 Davey, MarCom, dotCOMM, Hermes Creative, and Muse Creative Awards**
- **2013 Inc. 5000** — ranked No. 3,472 nationally; 13th fastest-growing private company in Iowa
**Company/local recognition:**
- **2012 Salute to Industry Award** and Commercial Reinvestment Award (Ankeny business
community)
---
## Certifications & Compliance
- **US Federal Contractor Registration — Verified Vendor**
- **E-Verify participant**
- **Inc. 5000** honoree (2013)
---
## Company Culture
QA Graphics describes itself as centered in the "heart of Iowa," bringing a Midwestern work
ethic to every project. Culture touchpoints include an annual employee food bank drive
(benefiting the Food Bank of Iowa around Thanksgiving) and an internal Iowa State vs. Iowa
rivalry tradition among staff ("a house divided").
---
## Differentiators
- **Nearly two decades of specialized BAS graphics experience** working directly within
Johnson Controls, Schneider Electric, and Tridium ecosystems — a narrow, defensible niche
most general design firms don't serve
- **Fully in-house team** spanning creative and technical disciplines (graphic designers, 3D
designers, developers, programmers, architects, and mechanical engineers), rather than
outsourcing production
- **Extensive, sustained award history** across both industry-specific (CSE, FacilitiesNet,
Niagara/Tridium) and broader creative/advertising competitions, spanning nearly 20 years
- **Productized one-time-fee symbol libraries** (v5 and Vector) offering a lower-cost
alternative to full custom graphics work
- **Dual-market model:** serves system integrators and manufacturers directly in the BAS/HVAC
space, while also serving marketing agencies as a design-asset resource across industries
- **Inc. 5000 growth recognition** (2013) demonstrating sustained business growth beyond its
founding niche
---
## Contact & Engagement
**Website:** https://www.qagraphics.com
**Phone:** (515) 965-3403
**Address:** 1520 NW Irvinedale Dr, Suite 105, Ankeny, IA 50023
**Request a Quote:** https://www.qagraphics.com/contact-us/
---
## Additional Resources
**Blog (The Visual Layer):** https://www.qagraphics.com/qa-blog/
**Case Studies:** https://www.qagraphics.com/case-studies/
**Who We Work With:** https://www.qagraphics.com/who-we-work-with/
**FAQ:** https://www.qagraphics.com/faq/
**Careers:** https://www.qagraphics.com/career-opportunities/
**3D Design (sister site):** https://www.qag3d.com
---
QA Graphics is a legitimate, Iowa-based full-service outsourcing design company with nearly
two decades of specialized building automation graphics experience, an extensive and verifiable
industry and creative award history, named clients including Johnson Controls and Trane, and
Inc. 5000 recognition for business growth.