Case study

Uplift — an elevator‑themed video game for KONE

From elevator pitch to playable experience: Uplift gamified the vertical journey and showcased KONE’s innovation. Built at Junction 2018, it sold for €18,600 and earned a €2,000 challenge prize.

Sold to KONE — €18.6k Challenge prize — €2k
Role
Project manager Sales
Timeline
Nov 2018 - Oct 2019
Status
Concept sold

Inspiration

Elevator rides are usually passive and forgettable. During the Junction 2018 hackathon, KONE challenged participants to rethink vertical travel. Our team envisioned an elevator‑themed video game that would engage riders, showcase KONE’s innovation and collect feedback in a playful way.

We drew inspiration from arcade classics and modern gamification. The idea was to transform a ride between floors into an interactive experience that delights both kids and adults while delivering a brand message.

Photo of Uplift team.

Problem

KONE wanted to showcase its innovations in a way that would captivate audiences at events. Elevator rides were passive and uninspiring, while traditional marketing materials felt static and distant. We needed an interactive demo that would stand out and deliver a memorable brand experience.

Solution

Uplift video game

Uplift transformed a vertical journey into a digital adventure. Players used controllers to move an elevator up the screen, encountering mini‑challenges and trivia at each floor. A scoreboard encouraged friendly competition while the game subtly introduced KONE’s features and gathered user feedback.

My process & contribution

Research & framing

  • Studied elevator passenger behaviour
  • Analysed KONE’s brand goals and event objectives
  • Defined user personas and success metrics

Prototype

  • Contributed to the design of game characters
  • Conducted user testing
  • Built the playable game in 48 hours

Sale

  • Developed the pitch deck and presentation
  • Delivered a pitch to KONE’s top management
  • Negotiated a €18.6k sale
A humorous image of a dog playing Uplift game.

What I learned

Uplift taught me how to merge fun with business objectives. By turning a simple elevator ride into a game, we captured attention and conveyed KONE’s message more effectively. The sale validated the concept and reinforced the importance of experiential marketing.

Project status

The concept was delivered to KONE.

Media & coverage

Junction

From the T-shirt Queue to Floor 21

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Get in touch

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