Role: Creative Technologist
Overview
Coral Vita is an interactive installation designed for DP World’s pavilion at COP28, using environmental data and physical interaction to communicate their commitment to coral reef restoration. The project combines tactile engagement, digital media, and storytelling to create an experience that is both informative and action-driven.
Problem / Purpose
While environmental initiatives are supported by scientific data, this information can be difficult to engage with in a public exhibition setting. The goal was to transform complex environmental data into an organic, motion-led narrative, using interaction and visual storytelling to make the coral restoration journey easier to understand and motivate the public to take action.
Process
I led the ideation and interaction design of the Coral Vita experience, focusing on how to translate scientific data into an intuitive, participatory system. The experience was built around a multi-touch interactive table that integrates handcrafted coral models with real-time digital feedback. Visitors were presented with a depleted underwater ecosystem and invited to place coral models onto the surface. This action triggered a responsive visual system where coral began to grow around the physical coral models, gradually transforming the environment into a healthy reef. I also structured how and when data and key messages appeared within the experience, embedding them contextually into the interaction rather than presenting them as separate content. This created a clear cause-and-effect relationship, allowing visitors to understand both the process and impact of coral restoration through direct participation, while reinforcing the narrative with evidence.
It was key to simplify the interaction to maximise clarity and engagement. By focusing on a single, intuitive mechanic, the experience encourages exploration and repeated interaction, applying principles of gamified learning to reinforce understanding through action and feedback.
Outcome
The final outcome is an interactive installation that communicates a complex environmental initiative through a clear, intuitive experience. The system was later adapted across multiple platforms, extending its impact beyond the original installation and demonstrating how a well-designed interaction can scale across different formats while maintaining its core narrative.