An award winning experience showcasing the voices of youth at Auckland Museum

Background

In 2024, Auckland Museum issued an RFP for an interactive experience to visualise data from the University of Auckland's Our Voices study in an engaging and accessible way. The study consisted of qualitative responses from over 800 New Zealand high schoolers. Topics ranged from school, family and relationships, to hobbies and interests. The goal of the exhibition was to target younger children (ages 7–12), empowering them to feel their voices matter.

At PHQ, three internal teams developed concepts. Working with Senior Designer Huey Min Pon, we pitched a motion-sensing character selector that displays study data as dialogue from colourful animated characters. Min led the initial art direction, while I developed motion mockups demonstrating the user flow.

Auckland Museum selected our concept. I created all visual assets (illustration, motion graphics, and UI) as well as designing the experience flow and interaction mechanics. Managing Director James Walton supported the technical build, and Designer Clive Cooper handled music and sound design.

The concept

Our concept centres on "spotlighting youth voices" through a multi-sensory experience. Three coloured spotlights illuminate the floor, when visitors step into them, they activate the installation.

On a large projection screen, animated characters navigate the space, while a virtual spotlight moves between them, pausing briefly on each character. When a spotlight activates, the spotlighted character stops and waves. A close-up avatar appears at the bottom of the screen with a quote from a student. Directional audio from overhead speakers provides an immersive, voice-acted reading of each quote - all performed by Kiwi kids.

Additional information from the study (seen below) is shown through animated infographics that can be activated in the same way.

Opening & awards

The exhibition opened 4 December 2024 for 10 weeks. Due to high engagement and positive feedback from the public, the museum extended the exhibition for another 10 weeks, through to April 2025.

In 2025, the experience was submitted to the Best Awards in the Installation & Exhibition category, earning a Bronze award.