Immersive Experience: The Age of Engagement

In recent years, there has been a growing trend in the popularity of immersive experiences. As a result, numerous industries are acknowledging the advantages of engaging their audience in a captivating and interactive way.

Immersive rooms or interactive art installations can be found in various settings such as museums and exhibitions, retail spaces, conferences and events, gaming and entertainment industries, hospitality and tourism, providing a distinctive chance for individuals to immerse themselves in a new world of exploration and interaction.

At Onionlab, our years of expertise have allowed us to become pioneers in creating immersive spaces and interactive public art installations. We take pride in our contributions to the industry, and our projects speak volumes about our commitment to pushing boundaries. From the Spain Pavilion for Expo Dubai 2020 to Desigualinbeta for Sonar 2019 and Telco Immersive Space for Mobile World Congress 2021, we have consistently delivered captivating and innovative virtual environments.

There are multiple methods to completely captivate the senses and generate the impression of a virtual reality. Commonly, the approach is to merge various multimedia components such as sound, lighting and video.

By integrating these elements into an experience, the space perception of the audience will be different and it will be easy to transport them into an alternate realm. Another method involves the use of virtual and augmented reality (VR and AR). Through the use of these technologies, people see, move and interact with a digital environment in a manner that feels genuine and captivating.

Museums and exhibitions can surely benefit from displaying immersive pieces. Video mappings, interactive installations and animations are able to create a captivating way to display artifacts and information and, therefore, create a memorable and informative experience for visitors.

SPAIN PAVILION

Our goal for the Spanish Pavilion of Expo Dubai 2020 was to create an immersive and interactive environment, providing a captivating and memorable experience for visitors. It consisted of several projection mappings on 3D models, animated infographics, holograms and interactive floors. One of the most striking interactive installations was the “Tree of Balance,” which engaged visitors in a sustainability conversation.

The Tree of Balance was an excellent example of how interactivity can enhance visitor engagement, provide a memorable experience, but also raise awareness about important topics for our society. By testing the users with some questions about their daily habits, the experience not only educated visitors but also encouraged them to take positive action towards sustainability.

TOWARDS BIOLOGY

This immersive piece was displayed at the exhibition “Time, Space, Existence” held at Palazzo Bembo within the framework of the 2014 Venice Architecture Biennale. This installation featured a circular wall with a 360-degree projection mapping, at the center of which, there was a table and chair that were also part of the mapping.

Music and arts festivals have progressively adopted immersive experiences to enrich the involvement of their attendees. These pieces, which can include interactive art installations and immersive virtual reality environments, offer a multi-sensory voyage that complements the music and artistic performances. Through the incorporation of these immersive elements, festivals establish a stronger bond with their audience, fostering a sense of awe, discovery, and involvement. Participants are transported to captivating realms where they can engage with art and music in distinctive and indelible ways, resulting in a more fulfilling and memorable festival experience.

DESIGUAL IN BETA

Our installation “DesigualinBeta” at Sonar Festival 2019 was a totally immersive experience consisting of two interactive areas, each delivering a distinct and engaging experience to guests.

The first area was a tunnel with a kaleidoscopic effect generated by a combination of mirrors and LED lights. Upon entering the tunnel, visitors were required to touch a panel with their hands, which was equipped with a set of biometric sensors. These sensors examined the creative energies of the visitors, which were then transformed into a dazzling show of colorful lights.

At the end of the tunnel, visitors were greeted with a large interactive canvas featuring projection mapping. They were able to express themselves in the space by moving and interacting with one another. The canvas visually responded to their motions, resulting in a dynamic and engaging environment that promoted exploration and creativity.

Retail spaces are also seeing the benefits of immersive experiences, with many retailers creating unique shopping experiences that engage customers on a deeper level.

LUSH SPA

Similarly, with Lush Spa in Tokyo, we focused on interactivity to provide customers with a one-of-a-kind and immersive experience. The strategically placed LED lights react to customer movement, changing color and brightness to create a vibrant, yet tranquil environment.

The LED lights are not only aesthetically pleasing, but they also provide a sensory connection to the environment. When guests walk through it, the lights provide a soothing and pleasant effect, enhancing the spa experience and encouraging a feeling of peace and tranquility.

Conferences and events are capitalizing on immersive rooms and interactive installations to generate more captivating and unforgettable encounters for participants. By integrating virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) technologies or immersive rooms, organizers can offer attendees a distinctive and interactive experience. This approach is especially beneficial for industries like gaming and entertainment that heavily rely on experiential marketing and seek to cultivate an image of technology and innovation.

TELCO IMMERSIVE SPACE

We created an immersive 360-degree video for the Cloud City stand at the Mobile World Congress 2021. The video, projected on the four walls and the floor of a 215m2 room that was located in the stand, created a truly immersive audiovisual experience for the visitors. 

The projection combined visual effects such as mapping and particles, created with X-Particles and Notch along with footage and texts that synthesized the innovation that the Public Cloud offered to telecommunication operators.

BARCELÓ HOTEL CONFERENCE ROOM

The interactive display we created for Barceló Hotel was intended to take meetings and presentations to a whole new level. It included a central screen, video mapping and interactive technologies designed to allow users to control the visual content using arm.

To sum up, immersive experiences are gaining significance across various industries, ranging from museums and exhibitions to retail spaces and conferences. Through the incorporation of multimedia elements and immersive technologies, businesses can develop captivating and lasting experiences that establish a profound connection with their audience.movements or a smartphone app.