The harmonious interplay between interactive systems and creativity portrays the emotional journey of our migrants in a series of touchscreen kiosks that span Sandridge Bridge, Melbourne.
VIEW PORTFOLIO IMAGESSandridge Bridge is a unique site rich in indigenous history as the meeting place of fresh and salt waters. Following European settlement, it became the crossing point for successive rail bridges bringing new arrivals to Flinders Street Station and the original Customs House – now the Immigration Museum.
THE SITUATION
The Australians’ History project was part of a $3 million redevelopment of the Sandridge Bridge site that incorporated moving sculptures, interpretive signage and interactive kiosks depicting Victoria’s multicultural history and development. The initial brief for kiosks was for a relatively simple depiction of historic facts and photography at either end of the bridge. Seizing the opportunity D.I.G proposed an ambitious programme with a series of 7 kiosks that would focus on the people, the migrants, that made the rail passage across Sandridge Bridge their foray into Australia.
THE RESULT
D.I.G applied its rich multimedia experience and skills to develop a series of touchscreen kiosks that were at the same time linked together by a single theme and also acted as dedicated stations within the broader story. A strong graphic approach utilising a limited colour palette was supported by extraordinary photography of ordinary people we commissioned Yatzek Studios to capture, evoking the essence of their character and portray the diversity of our community.
Interactive elements allowed the user to delve into historic facts, pinpoint the routes migrants took to arrive in Melbourne, understand the cultural connection of the site for Indigenous groups, provide background to the mythical sculptures as well as explore a series of vox-pop videos produced by D.I.G that relived the raw and vivid details of the past and present lives of a group of individuals.
Used by cyclists and foot passengers, the bridge is a symbolic passageway used by thousands of Melbournians every day. When not being directly used, the touch screens would revert into a default sequence that posed passers-by with questions that would elicit their engagement and draw them in to explore the importance of the site.
