Blog Archive

QA Graphics Helps Longwood University Educate the Public about Biomass Heating Plant

February 15, 2013

Contact:
Sarah Erdman, Marketing Director
515.965.3403
serdman (at) www.qagraphics.com

February 15, 2013

Longwood University, located in Farmville, Virginia, looked to QA Graphics to create a 3D animated video to educate students and the public about the campus’ biomass heating plant and demonstrate the university’s commitment to sustainability.

Longwood is the only public institution of higher education in Virginia and one of only two state agencies that burns biomass for heating fuel. The university has practiced sustainability by heating with biomass fuel (sawdust) for nearly 30 years. In 2011 Longwood opened a new biomass heating plant, which provides almost 100 percent of the campus’ heat and hot water.

To educate others on the campus’ sustainable efforts, Longwood University’s Energy Manager, Kevin Miller, sought out QA Graphics to develop an animated video that would visually demonstrate how the fuel-efficient plant operates. Longwood had worked with QA Graphics previously, purchasing their BAS graphics module for the university’s Tridium system. Having been impressed by the quality of the BAS graphics, and having a good working relationship with the sales staff, they also looked to QA Graphics for help with this video as the company has over six years of experience helping organizations create awareness about sustainable initiatives through solutions like animated videos and their Energy Efficiency Education Dashboard®.

QSR One Source 2012 Vendor Guide

February 10, 2013

QSR Magazine’s year-round vendor guide, One Source, was published this month. The guide helps restaurants connect with key vendors ad see profiles of new innovations that can improve business. Check out QA Graphics in the Advertising and Marketing services category.

See the online guide.

QA Graphics Helps Maid-Rite Go Digital

February 5, 2013

P.O.P. Design has done an article on the digital menu board that QA Graphics has created for Maid-Rite. Franchise locations will feature this new menu board in place of their static signage.

QA Graphics Joins Farm Equipment Manufacturers Association (FEMA)

February 4, 2013

Contact:
Sarah Erdman-Lewis, Marketing Director
515.965.3403
serdman (at) www.qagraphics.com

February 4, 2014

QA Graphics, Iowa interactive design firm, is pleased to announce that they have joined the Farm Equipment Manufacturers Association (FEMA).

QA Graphics has joined the Farm Equipment Manufacturers Association to further connect with other organizations involved in agribusiness throughout Iowa and nationwide. QA Graphics has worked with a number of clients within the ag manufacturing industry, providing video animation and mobile app development services. By joining FEMA, QA Graphics hopes to continue to grow these relationships. FEMA provides industry leadership and connects agricultural companies and its associates to the resources they need to be successful. From large multi-nationals to the smallest family owned and operated business FEMA provides value-added service to its members.

Photo-realistic Graphics are the Future for BAS

February 1, 2013

Published: February 2013
Author: Cade Engle

This article is also published in the February issue of Automated Buildings.

Photo-realistic Graphics are the Future for BAS

It’s a visual age; where even when watching TV we want to be immersed in our movies or feel like we’re sitting in the front row at the football game. As graphics capabilities evolve, we expect the same in the building automation world. As a control system graphic designer at QA Graphics, I’ve personally seen this trend take shape.

Symbol libraries and stock images used within the industry have significantly advanced. QA Graphics has led many of these trends, driving the industry to higher graphics standards. They created custom symbol libraries for six of the largest control manufacturers, most recently having provided 3D image creation and super templates for Johnson Controls Inc.’s Metasys® Graphics+ graphics package and the 3D graphic library for Tridium’s Niagara AX Framework® 3.7.

I do see a large interest in the industry for system graphic development using existing stock graphics, but I have also increasingly seen the interest of clients wanting more realistic features. There have been limitations as to what custom can mean, but as control systems evolve, it’s allowing more capabilities than ever. Building operators want the equipment they are looking at on-screen to look just like what they are actually seeing in the mechanical rooms. Years from now, we’ll probably be able to check system controls by viewing a fly-through of a fully custom-designed, photo-realistic mechanical room.