AV software media exhibition designer - Auckland Castle

Auckland Castle

Sharing centuries of influence & change

CONCEPT DESIGN / STORYBOARDING / ILLUSTRATION / ANIMATION / ATMOSPHERIC AUDIO / SOUND POINTS / SOUNDSCAPES / ARCHIVE EDIT & TREATMENT / ENCODING / TOUCHSCREEN INTERACTIVE DESIGN / UI & UX / INTERVIEW EDITS / PROJECTIONS

ALL CREATED IN-HOUSE

CLIENT

The Auckland Project

HARDWARE

Fusion LX

AY-PE was commissioned to develop, test and install 11 AV digital media exhibits in relation to the renovation and extension of Auckland Castle – once the seat of power in Britain and the home to 900 years of Bishopric influence and change.

11 AV exhibits included:

2 x dynamic, animated, projections and soundscapes

5 x set related atmospheric soundscapes and audio exhibits

2 x filmic AVs

2 x touchscreen interactive

EXPERIENCE TYPE 01

Introductory AV

AY-PE created a projected, dynamic introduction to the site of Auckland Castle, the Prince Bishops, and their unique combination of spiritual and secular powers – setting the scene for a visit. The AV encapsulates the Castle, the historical power of Bishop Auckland and the influence of the Prince Bishops.

Projected onto the Castle’s North Wall (with windows) – the creative piece which AY-PE developed incorporated bespoke illustration, animation, map work and adaptation of historical content into a magical, immersive and inspirational journey. Ambient, atmospheric soundscaping effects and audio adds an emotive, memorable feeling to the visitor journey.

EXPERIENCE TYPE 02

3DPM Show & Soundscape

AY-PE created an immersive AV projection and soundscape telling the story of Bishop Westcott and the 1892 mining strike. To represent the pride in mining of North Eastern communities and to reflect the art and culture of the North East, AY-PE created an animated film based on the world-famous mural art and banners of those mining communities. Cut-outs from the animations fill the walls as they magically move in time with the narrated soundscape and embedded sound effects which seemingly bring the walls to life.

Projected on three walls of the Drawing Room, AY-PE adjusted software to projection map around and also play with the features of doors, windows and paintings of this 19 century room.

EXPERIENCE 03

Art Explorer Interactive

We designed and developed an interactive touchscreen allowing a visitor to explore Auckland Castle’s astonishing Zurbaran art collection. As this Zurbaran art portrays biblical characters, our brief was to create an interactive with a modern, inclusive feel, appealing to all audiences and diversities, not just art experts or Christians. We developed a striking and engaging UI – combining a beautiful artistic look with a contemporary almost technological feeling motion graphic overlay. The visitor can then autonomously explore the digitised art and layers of supporting information, whilst being physically surrounded by the actual Zurbaran art in the room.

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EXPERIENCE TYPE 03

Art Explorer Interactive

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EXPERIENCE TYPE 03

Art Explorer Interactive

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EXPERIENCE TYPE 04

Audio Design

A 3 minute looped multi-directional soundscape capturing the hubbub of a grand social event – with music, chatter and gossip. The complementary, dispersed sounds of the audio feature were carefully constructed and sound balanced throughout the room to draw visitor flow through the hall – taking in the ambience and grandeur of the unseen Bishop Barrington, as he entertains invisible guests within the Throne Room.

Elsewhere a visitor triggers the fireside ambient sounds and thoughts of Henson – based on his diaries. Other audio exhibits included: looped atmospheric audio of church music and several looped, historically reconstructed dialogues and conversations between key figures at the Castle.

EXPERIENCE TYPE 05

Interviews & Archive

AY-PE adapted existing footage and archive to create new documentary style edits and explanatory films with colour balance, grading, subtitles and visual effects. AY-PE also interviewed, filmed and edited a new piece of the current Bishop in conversation – tying in the evolution of the Castle both in the subject matter and in the style of our film edits. Looped and triggered delivery of the pieces included projection, set-worked screens and interactive video presentation.