We were guided by the question:
How might we bring Kupe's story to life and inspire children to discover the signs that guide their own journeys?
Motion for young audiences
Storytelling
Educational
Story Scene 01
Story Scene 02
Story Scenes Mockup — Noah Wood
The Brief
​
We were asked to enhance the emotional and cultural connection to the installation through visual storytelling while remaining aligned with MOTAT’s branding, audience, and educational focus. The experience also needed to support younger visitors through accessible, interactive, and kinesthetic learning.
Design Approach
​
To respond to the brief, we transformed the installation into an interactive exploration of tohu (signs), navigation, and discovery. Using web-based AR, animation, and gamified interaction, visitors follow the rainbow as a narrative pathway through different moments of Kupe’s journey.
Logo Animation
Walkthrough Video — Claudia Mitchell
Because the target audience was mainly children aged 5–12 and families, I intentionally focused on creating motion that felt calm, emotionally safe, and easy to engage with rather than overstimulating. This informed several key design decisions, including:
-
subtle, slow-paced 2D animation
-
gentle transitions and “magical” rainbow effects
-
simple visual storytelling and guided interactions
-
bright but approachable colour palettes aligned with MOTAT’s identity
-
looping animations that allowed visitors to engage at their own pace
These decisions helped support accessibility and curiosity while maintaining a playful tone appropriate for younger audiences.
My Contribution
I created the storyboards, developed the animation styleframes, and produced the animations focused on short looping sequences that worked alongside on-screen text and AR interactions throughout the experience. I also contributed to developing the project concept and refining the visual direction, ensuring the animations felt cohesive with both the MOTAT brand and the emotional tone of the experience.
Storyboard
A major part of the process involved refining the visual language multiple times to better balance storytelling, education, and audience engagement. I focused on ensuring the animation style remained visually engaging while still feeling clear, calm, and supportive for children interacting within the physical exhibition space.
Outcome
By combining storytelling, movement, interaction, and AR technology, the project encourages exploration and learning while helping visitors form a stronger emotional connection to Kupe’s journey and the concept of tohu. The final experience aligns with MOTAT’s focus on education, innovation, and accessible storytelling through interactive media design.
Styleframes
Credits
UX UI Designers: Claudia Mitchell & Zoe Frost
Graphic Designer: Noah Wood