ORWELL

Orwell is an interactive installation that explores the complex layers of modern surveillance. The project examines how technology turns nearly every action into something observable, recordable, and traceable—not only visually but through the monitoring of behaviour, speech, and actions.
Role: Project Lead Project Type: Interactive Experience

History of Censorship

Timeline:Our project explored censorship, beginning with a deep dive into its history to build a strong foundation. This timeline maps censorship’s evolution from 1918 to projections for 2123, highlighting its legal and ethical frameworks, the forces enabling it, and the movements opposing it. It examines how political, social, and technological shifts have shaped censorship, reflecting the ongoing tension between control and the fight for human rights and freedom of expression.

Click here to view full scale timeline

The Smell of Silence

Storyboard:To align our vision, we created a storyboard, capturing the essence of a world dominated by censorship. Instead of focusing solely on user experience, we explored its smell, feel, mood, and architecture, conveying the weight and atmosphere of a future shaped by technological control.

RT24:With the concept defined, we created RT24 (Restrict Tech 2024), a fictional global expo spotlighting advanced technologies for speech and thought regulation. Positioned as a hub for innovators and industry leaders, RT24 provided a platform to prototype and explore potential products and services in this envisioned world. This approach enabled us to rapidly iterate and test ideas.

Neurochip Scanner:This speculative interface monitors individual status in a controlled environment. A scanner verifies each person’s "neurochip," granting entry with a green checkmark for compliance or rejecting with a red 'X' for resistance involvement. The prototype, built with Spark AR, uses an Instagram filter and a smartphone camera housed in a custom frame to simulate the scanning process.

MindHub:This system verifies and updates neurochips by scanning the user's hand in a designated compartment. It checks for updates and downloads the latest language libraries directly to the neurochip. The prototype integrates Processing software with Arduino and Makey Makey, using cardboard, aluminum foil, and plaster for tactile elements.

Picture Book:Finn and the Technicolour Dream Book follows Finn, a curious fox living in the monochromatic city of Gray. When he discovers a magical book that leads him to a world filled with vibrant colors and dreams, Finn is tempted to leave behind the safety of his orderly life. Through his journey, he learns to appreciate the value of conformity and the security it offers under the guidance of Cloud.

Click here to read the book

Ideation

The Birth of Orwell:After RT24, we chose to build upon the Orwell concept, recognizing its potential to evolve into an interactive experience. The key factor was the ability to transform it into something physical and imposing, fully encapsulating the concept of censorship.

Storyboard (Integrated User Experience)

Branding & Identity

Construction

User Experience

Insights

Creating Orwell was an intense and unsettling process. The challenge with a project like this wasn’t in depicting dystopian fears, but in resisting the urge to impose a single perspective. Instead of dictating how visitors should feel, we aimed to present the facts plainly, allowing each person to interpret the impact of surveillance and censorship in their own way. This commitment to neutrality—presenting data without steering the narrative—was key to fostering genuine dialogue.