Role: Creative Technologist
Overview
Powerful Plants is an interactive installation designed for Starbucks’ regional launch at the Museum of the Future in Dubai. The installation combined sensor-based interaction, coffee spices, and animated media to create a multi-sensory storytelling experience. The project communicates cultural and heritage narratives in a way that is both engaging and intuitive for a diverse audience.
Problem / Purpose
The experience centres on the origins of coffee and its connection to regional plant heritage, a story that is rich but often complex and difficult to communicate within a short engagement time. The challenge was to translate this narrative into a format that visitors from different backgrounds could quickly understand, while maintaining the premium quality expected from both Starbucks and the Museum of the Future.
Process
The installation integrates touch, smell, and digital feedback. Instead of relying solely on screen-based storytelling, I developed an experience where visitors physically engage with coffee plants and spices, triggering content through embedded sensor systems. This created a direct connection between material interaction and digital narrative, allowing visitors to explore the story through their own senses. Each touchpoint delivered a distinct piece of information while contributing to a cohesive overall experience.
From developing reliable sensor systems to adapting display solutions within budget limitations, the project required balancing technical feasibility with design intent. These constraints ultimately shaped how the interaction and visual experience came together.
Outcome
The final experience received 83% visitor satisfaction and 73% of visitors reported learning something new about regional coffee history and culture. The project also received Bronze for Best Experiential at The Drum Awards and was a Silver Finalist for Best Multicultural Event Program at the EX Awards.