Decode: digital design sensations

Exhibition Design DESIGN WEEK AWARDS 2011 - Finalist

This "new media" exhibition, co-curated by the digital arts organisation Onedotzero and the V&A, was a showcase of the latest developments in digital and interactive design, from small, screen-based, graphics to large-scale interactive installations. Existing and newly commissioned works by Troika, Simon Heijdens, Daniel Brown, Golan Levin and Daniel Rozin were on display. The design intent was to create a totally immersive environment. The main design challenge was the allocation of 35 artworks in the space of only one gallery available. The walls morphed into niches to create bespoke mini-contexts for each piece. This devise minimised the acoustic and visual interference between artworks. All signage is clearly three-dimensional as opposed to the a-dimensional digital nature of the displays. The walls guide intuitively the flow of visitors and a stark black and white contrast between areas makes the show breath. Following outstanding visitors turnover (over 100.000 in 4 months of opening in London), the exhibition travelled to prestigious museums world-wide. The exhibition design concept was applied to other venues including the Garage, Centre of Contemporary Culture in Moscow.

Design team: Paul Thrush, Luca Mantovanelli, Rosalba Napolitano, Francesco Draisci Design consultants: Hawaii (graphic design), studio ZNA (Lighting design) Client: Victoria & Albert Museum Co-curators: V&A Contemporary Team (Louise Shannon) and onedotzero Photography: courtesy of V&A and Tom Bland