Last week, the DesignScene studio explored some of the most exciting immersive design installations and sustainable showcases at the 2024 London Design Festival. Here are three that sparked our creativity:
Pavilions of Wonder: Barbie-Inspired Immersive Design
Our team’s unanimous favorite was the Pavilions of Wonder, a perfect blend of immersive design and vibrant pop culture. The Barbie-inspired pavilion caught our eye with its meticulous attention to detail in both color and material finish. The lovely lenticular pink and blue slat walling created an evolving ombre effect, which transformed as you moved around it—an impressive demonstration of experiential design at its finest.
Each of the three immersive pavilions could easily stand alone as a stunning architectural statement. Their cohesion as a collective display was a true testament to thoughtful multidisciplinary, immersive design. This installation was not only visually exciting, it also highlighted the importance of creating experiences that engage the audience through multiple sensory touch-points.
Material Matters: Sustainability at the Forefront of Immersive Design Inspiration
Material Matters is always a big part of the London Design Festival. Showcasing sustainability in design, this installation went beyond the expected by integrating eco-friendly principles into every aspect of the exhibit. What truly stood out to us this year was the innovative use of fabrics for projection, reusable metal frameworks with integrated lighting, and modular plinths made from recycled materials.
These design choices weren’t just sustainable; they were also practical and aesthetically pleasing—proving that sustainable event design can be both functional and visually impactful. This exhibit gave us plenty of environmentally-focused sustainable design inspiration for the future!
Immaterial Objects by Optical Arts: Bridging the Gap Between Physical and Digital Design
The final highlight of our week was the Immaterial Objects installation by Optical Arts. Known for their cutting-edge work, the multidisciplinary design studio made our favourite installation last year too. Matching our high expectations, it offering a truly immersive experience that blended animation with kinetic physical elements.
This year’s installation invited participants to interact with beautifully designed plinths featuring abstract models that could be spun. As the physical elements rotated, their digital counterparts mirrored their movements on nearby screens, creating a seamless interaction between the physical and animated worlds. It was an awe-inspiring demonstration of how interactive art installations can cross boundaries, merging the tangible with the virtual. This immersive effect is a powerful reminder of how multidisciplinary, experiential design techniques can push the limits of creative expression.
Final Thoughts
The 2024 edition of the London Design Festival was a source of immense inspiration for us, especially with the focus on sustainable materials and interactive installations. We’ve already started brainstorming new ideas that incorporate these forward-thinking techniques into our own work at DesignScene, where we continue to innovate with sustainable design solutions and immersive brand experiences that push the boundaries of creativity and innovation.
We look forward to bringing some of this inspiration to life in our future projects, as we continue to champion sustainability and cutting-edge design in everything we do!
Chat with us if you’re excited to learn more about these solutions.
Thoughts from Mandy Kershaw
3D Designer and Illustrator at DesignScene
