INTERACTIVE ORACLE THROUGH ARTWORK
With only 2.5 weeks notice, I was tasked with devising and executing an interactive experience for an art installation in Brooklyn, NY. The results: rave reviews, wows from participants, and successful tests of key technology.
With a tiger team of three (me, a lead engineer, and a materials designer), we had a single sprint to go from nothing to something and test hypothetical technology that would prove versatile and reliable for larger IRL gaming experiences. I devised the charter for the project, knowing we could not accomplish everything:
Provide the key interaction (touch a device to artwork to trigger game progress)
Participant connects personally with the artwork
Collect analytical and qualitative data
The game experience I devised was an automated oracle called “Find U”, wherein participants would be guided by a voice to find themselves through the art. In other words, an automated tarot reading with artwork instead of cards.
“Coolest art experience I’ve ever had!”
- @leighandrzej (via instagram)
There’s so much to cover regarding this exciting and successful experience design, and I look forward to discussing the project further, including the challenges, course corrections and trade-offs involved. In the end, another gallery invited me to bring the experience to their next art installation.
The game flow had to be the simplest structure possible for speed of delivery, so I constrained the experience to three paintings along four possible paths.
The script involved psychological techniques including priming, storytelling, and wayfinding to provide a convincing and engaging journey of self-discovery. The experience was delivered by a soothing AI voice I curated from ElevenLabs, amidst relaxing gentle rain sounds. Through the few iterations we had, I continued to pare away to create the most self-explanatory instructions possible.
“What a beautiful journey it was”
-sarahhannah121 (via instagram)