By now, you’ve probably heard all about the meteoric rise to fame for Oregon State’s Memorial Union Crane. Since its launch in mid-January, the crane’s Facebook page has steadily grown to nearly 3,300 fans, and the page’s founders, senior School of Design and Human Environment students Zak Eidsvoog and Michael McDonald, recently completed a successful Indiegogo crowdsourcing campaign that raised $4,572. The pair of designers had hoped to raise just $2,500 with all funds going toward building “a monument to the crane and all it stands for,” but quickly eclipsed their initial goal.
After surpassing their original target goal, Eidsvoog and McDonald decided to have even more fun with the project, while also flexing their design and entrepreneurial muscles. The two friends and classmates quickly introduced a new set of “stretch goals,” for the campaign that if reached, would unlock a series of prizes awarded to the campaign’s donors. Donations started at just $1 each and ranged all the way up to $100.
McDonald said that the SDHE program helped prepare him and Eidsvoog for launching such a successful and multifaceted project.
“SDHE taught us more than just the design skills that we’ve used to create everything for this project. The program also focused on how social media and the internet can and should completely change your approach to doing business,” said McDonald. “It’s an approach we like to think of as Digital Entrepreneurship,” he added.
Now that the fundraising has been completed, the pair are now focused on finishing the design work for the commemorative statue and getting all of the promised merchandise out to their donors. Some of the perks of donating include posters, buttons, stickers, an EP of crane-inspired music, a series of crane-themed Valentine’s Day cards, and even an “I am the Crane” card game.
Eidsvoog said that they’re getting closer to commissioning an artist to create the statue, which they’re hoping will be located in or around the upcoming Student Experience Center.
“Our artist meeting went very well. At this point we’re waiting to hear back on pricing estimates for various sizes, materials etc., so we still don’t have the exact media decided upon, but we’re making progress,” said Eidsvoog.
No matter where it’s located or what materials it’s made out of, the MU Crane memorial will be a lasting testament to the Oregon State community’s involvement in a fun and spontaneous project, as well as Eidsvoog and McDonald’s creatively entrepreneurial spirit.
