scroll

ExpoDubai 2020

Creating a virtual exposition experience

A virtual rendition of ExpoDubai, a six-month-long event in Dubai to recreate the experience to users without having traveled to witness the events, talks, performances, cultures, or world-class architecture.

Expertise

Product design 

Project management 

Front-end development 

Back-end development 

Digital experience 

Quality assurance

Industry

Art 

Entertainment 

Timeline 

9 months

Requirements
Challenge
Process
Technical Requirements

Dogstudio, a creative agency working to solve this puzzle approached Apptension to help with the development as they realized the potential of technology to bridge this gap. The vision was not just to replicate the event online, but to create a groundbreaking virtual experience that would allow users from all over the world to immerse themselves in the event without the constraints of travel.

Apptension embarked on a journey to:

  • Understand the core elements that make this exposition a unique experience.
  • Identify the key touchpoints for users.
  • Ensure the platform was accessible, user-friendly, and could handle a massive influx of users.

The Challenge

In the face of an unprecedented global lockdown due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the world witnessed the cancellation or postponement of countless cultural events. Among these was the highly anticipated international exposition that was slated to be hosted in a major global city. The challenge was clear: how could the essence, grandeur, and global reach of such a monumental event be captured and delivered to millions without the physical presence?

Our Process

Apptension developed a state-of-the-art space visualization app that encapsulated the spirit of the exhibition. Here's a breakdown of the features and solutions we covered: 3D modelling, notification systems, email templates, digital passports, load testing, front-end adjustments, and continuous fixes.

A big part of our responsibilities was localization & arabic translations. Making the app globally accessible, we needed to keep a special focus on the host nation's language.

The result? A year after the planned opening ceremony, a staggering 2 million users tuned in to watch the exhibition open its gates, with the majority accessing the event through the app on their mobile devices. The international exhibition was not just saved; it was reimagined for the digital age.

what partners say about us?

Very organized but flexible at the same time. They don’t chastise clients for not being organized just like them. Despite our side being less coordinated, we did not encounter any blocks - we were accommodated with the understanding and a helping hand.
Anonymous
Managing Partner at Dogstudio
The code and the work were good quality and really what we were looking for. They were able to bring technical design thinking to the project. Project management was tight and I always knew what was happening.
Daniel Kiyoi
CEO & Founder Magic Dust
Apptension was flexible and professional. When I needed to quickly add capacity, it took a week or two at worst - often days. The cooperation enabled me to slowly scale up my own IT team, and the company was very helpful until the last moments of the transition.
Mateusz Oleksiuk
CEO LESS_
The technical creativity delivered by the team at Apptension was invaluable in the formation of our mixed reality start-up Hyper.
Nathan Sparshott
Co-Founder & CEO of Hyper
The SaaS Boilerplate Apptension built was a huge reason we were so successful, because all these little seemingly unrelated tasks and integrations needed to happen. If we had been working with anybody else, It would have probably taken months to do the same work.
Kwame Nyanning
CEO blkbx.
We needed their help to build the backend services and capabilities needed to deliver a production level on demand. Their ability to produce high-quality work with consistency while dealing with a new type of project was impressive.
Kelly O’Conor
Product Lead, Siberia
The project’s success has resulted in a long-term partnership for design and development. Apptension is a fantastic partner, who is willing to go above and beyond in order to deliver what the client needs.
Catarina Rocha
p(r)oud solutions
Apptension fared well in our project, working with our bespoke CMS and complex requirements. The designs were implemented well and the schedule was kept tight.
Christian Marc Schmidt
Partner at Schema
Looking for similar outcomes?

recent case studies

ExpoDubai 2020
Creating a virtual exposition experience
About
A virtual rendition of ExpoDubai, a six-month-long event in Dubai to recreate the experience to users without having traveled to witness the events, talks, performances, cultures, or world-class architecture.

Expertise

Product design 

Project management 

Front-end development 

Back-end development 

Digital experience 

Quality assurance

Industry

Art 

Entertainment 

Timeline 

9 months

Technology, react.js, node.js

django
flask
react native
node.js
next.js
python
gatsby.js
vue.js
react.js
javascript
aws
docker
serverless
figma
photoshop
illustrator
after effects
firebase
blender
graphql
nuxt.js
Scss
typescript
apollo
saas boilerplate
styled components
D3
Before
After
Prerequisites
Challenge
The challenge

In the face of an unprecedented global lockdown due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the world witnessed the cancellation or postponement of countless cultural events. Among these was the highly anticipated international exposition that was slated to be hosted in a major global city. The challenge was clear: how could the essence, grandeur, and global reach of such a monumental event be captured and delivered to millions without the physical presence?

Requirements
The process

Dogstudio, a creative agency working to solve this puzzle approached Apptension to help with the development as they realized the potential of technology to bridge this gap. The vision was not just to replicate the event online, but to create a groundbreaking virtual experience that would allow users from all over the world to immerse themselves in the event without the constraints of travel.

Apptension embarked on a journey to:

  • Understand the core elements that make this exposition a unique experience.
  • Identify the key touchpoints for users.
  • Ensure the platform was accessible, user-friendly, and could handle a massive influx of users.

Roadmap
Solution
The solution

Apptension developed a state-of-the-art space visualization app that encapsulated the spirit of the exhibition. Here's a breakdown of the features and solutions we covered: 3D modelling, notification systems, email templates, digital passports, load testing, front-end adjustments, and continuous fixes.

A big part of our responsibilities was localization & arabic translations. Making the app globally accessible, we needed to keep a special focus on the host nation's language.

The result? A year after the planned opening ceremony, a staggering 2 million users tuned in to watch the exhibition open its gates, with the majority accessing the event through the app on their mobile devices. The international exhibition was not just saved; it was reimagined for the digital age.

WHAT The CLIENT Said ABOUT this project?

Very organized but flexible at the same time. They don’t chastise clients for not being organized just like them. Despite our side being less coordinated, we did not encounter any blocks - we were accommodated with the understanding and a helping hand.
Anonymous
Managing Partner at Dogstudio
Very organized but flexible at the same time. They don’t chastise clients for not being organized just like them. Despite our side being less coordinated, we did not encounter any blocks - we were accommodated with the understanding and a helping hand.
Managing Partner at Dogstudio

what partners say about us?

The code and the work were good quality and really what we were looking for. They were able to bring technical design thinking to the project. Project management was tight and I always knew what was happening.
Daniel Kiyoi
CEO & Founder Magic Dust
Apptension was flexible and professional. When I needed to quickly add capacity, it took a week or two at worst - often days. The cooperation enabled me to slowly scale up my own IT team, and the company was very helpful until the last moments of the transition.
Mateusz Oleksiuk
CEO LESS_
The technical creativity delivered by the team at Apptension was invaluable in the formation of our mixed reality start-up Hyper.
Nathan Sparshott
Co-Founder & CEO of Hyper
The SaaS Boilerplate Apptension built was a huge reason we were so successful, because all these little seemingly unrelated tasks and integrations needed to happen. If we had been working with anybody else, It would have probably taken months to do the same work.
Kwame Nyanning
CEO blkbx.
We needed their help to build the backend services and capabilities needed to deliver a production level on demand. Their ability to produce high-quality work with consistency while dealing with a new type of project was impressive.
Kelly O’Conor
Product Lead, Siberia
The project’s success has resulted in a long-term partnership for design and development. Apptension is a fantastic partner, who is willing to go above and beyond in order to deliver what the client needs.
Catarina Rocha
p(r)oud solutions
Apptension fared well in our project, working with our bespoke CMS and complex requirements. The designs were implemented well and the schedule was kept tight.
Christian Marc Schmidt
Partner at Schema

other success stories

Feelit
A SaaS mobile app designed to bridge the gap between event attendees and event makers
Creative agency
Developing an eCommerce website for a luxury brand
Mojo
A website solution for an AI-based fertility tester
mTab
Building a full-stack data analysis, visualization and storytelling platform
Platform
Ecommerce store for selling contemporary art
Home+ App
House maintenance app for South Africa