Project Overview
Cameras, sensors, and AI-driven systems work together to capture a constant stream of data from the urban environment. Humans adjust settings, analyse patterns, and make decisions based on the insights these machines provide. NCM’s upcoming featured exhibit, ‘Instruments of Surveillance,’ examines the intricate collaboration between human judgment and machine intelligence.
Project Commissioner
Project Creator
Team
Creative Direction — Tim Kotsiakos
Design — Ben Beagley
Design — Nicki Wright
Creative coding — Ben Beagley
Project Brief
The National Communication Museum (NCM) offers an unparalleled, immersive journey into the evolving role of communication technologies—not just as tools, but as forces shaping the future. Through captivating exhibits that bridge the past and present, NCM reveals how breakthroughs in communication—from the invention of the printing press to the digital revolution—have revolutionised how we connect, inform, and influence one another. But it doesn't stop there. The museum boldly pushes visitors to look forward, exploring how the next wave of technological advancements will continue to transform society. It’s not just a walk through history; it’s a dynamic space where the past informs the future and sparks a fresh dialogue about the challenges ahead.
At the heart of NCM’s newest exhibition, 'Instruments of Surveillance', the spotlight is on one of the most pressing topics of our time: the intersection of human agency and machine intelligence in surveillance. This exhibition doesn’t just showcase the cold, mechanical tools of observation; it exposes the intricate, often unsettling relationship between technology and human behaviour. From AI-powered cameras that can predict your every move to the omnipresent sensors embedded in our environments, 'Instruments of Surveillance' pulls back the curtain on the systems that watch, analyse, and sometimes control us. Visitors are invited to question who is watching, why they’re watching, and how these tools impact our lives. It’s a bold exploration of not just technology, but the very nature of privacy, control, and power in the digital age.
Project Innovation/Need
To visually represent the exhibition, we used a machine-learning object detection model in p5.js, a flexible JavaScript library for creative coding. The model uses algorithms to identify and classify objects within images, allowing us to generate both animated and static visual assets.
We created engaging visuals that simulate the perspective of surveillance instruments. The resulting animations and images offer viewers an immersive experience, an opportunity to look through the lens of an instrument of surveillance, highlighting the complex interactions between humans and surveillance technologies.
Design Challenge
Designing a visual identity for the 'Instruments of Surveillance' exhibition presented several unique challenges, primarily due to the need to balance complex technological themes with engaging, accessible design. Surveillance, as a subject, is inherently intrusive and often unsettling, making it difficult to portray in a way that resonates with visitors without overwhelming or alienating them. The challenge was to create a visual identity that both reflected the technological sophistication of surveillance systems and maintained a sense of human connection. The solution was to merge data-driven visuals, like machine-generated animations, with more organic, human-centric elements, creating a visual narrative that felt both personal and technologically advanced.
Another significant challenge was the need for the identity to work across various formats and materials, from digital signage to physical installations within the museum space. The visual identity had to be adaptable enough to function in different mediums while maintaining its core concept. This required close collaboration with curators, technicians, and digital artists to ensure that the design remained consistent and effective whether viewed on a screen, projected onto a wall, or displayed as part of the exhibition’s printed materials. Additionally, the design had to reflect the evolving nature of surveillance technology, incorporating interactivity and motion to create an immersive experience without overshadowing the content of the exhibition itself. Finding this balance between form and function was one of the key design challenges we had to overcome.
Effectiveness
The *Instruments of Surveillance* exhibition identity is highly effective in immersing visitors in the complex relationship between humans and surveillance technology. By incorporating machine learning and object detection through p5.js, the identity itself becomes a dynamic, evolving entity that mirrors the shifting nature of surveillance. The integration of algorithms to generate both static and animated visuals allows the identity to engage visitors with a sense of fluidity and real-time interaction, reflecting the ever-present and ever-changing landscape of surveillance. This approach is not only visually compelling but also intellectually stimulating, inviting visitors to reflect on the role of technology in shaping our perception of privacy, control, and observation.
The visual identity’s use of surveillance-inspired visuals, through both the animations and the static assets, successfully places the audience within the perspective of an observer. This approach allows the exhibition to challenge conventional narratives around surveillance by offering an experience that is as much about reflection as it is about observation. The interplay between machine-generated imagery and human-designed interaction fosters a deeper understanding of the technologies that are often invisible to the public eye, creating a compelling and thought-provoking experience that resonates with visitors long after they leave the exhibit.
Graphic Design - Identity and Branding
This award celebrates creative and innovative design in the traditional or digital visual representation of ideas and messages. Consideration given to clarity of communication and the matching information style to audience.
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