Digital
PHQ Studios 3 Our Voices: Bringing Young Perspectives to Life
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Pou Auaha / Creative Director
Natasha Howell -
Pou Rautaki / Strategic Leads
James Walton, Janine Greenwood
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Ringatoi Matua / Design Director
Adeline Marteil
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Ngā Kaimahi / Team Members
Clive Cooper, Mitchell Barclay, Huey Min Pon -
Kaitautoko / Contributor
Auckland Museum -
Client
Auckland War Memorial Museum








Description:
‘Our Voices’ is an interactive exhibition that amplifies the perspectives of 800 13-year-olds from the University of Auckland’s Growing Up in New Zealand study. The research explored identity, education, friendships, hobbies, whānau, and future aspirations. Our challenge was to turn this data into an engaging experience for 8-12-year-olds and their caregivers. Held at Auckland Museum, the exhibition brought their perspectives to life in a way that was both meaningful and immersive.
We set out to give visitors a window into what young people in Aotearoa think about key social and cultural issues, empower them by showing the impact of youth voices, create a fun and engaging experience, and transform research into a visually compelling, interactive format.
The exhibition is built around a virtual world projected onto a wall, featuring animated characters representing real young people. Three colourful spotlights move across the screen, each paired with a physical spotlight. When a visitor steps into a spotlight, motion sensors activate a character, who then shares their story through visuals and narration.
Visitors do not just observe, they engage. The interactive design encourages self-reflection, inviting visitors to consider what they would say if they were under the spotlight.
Challenges of the space include high foot traffic and background noise. To overcome this, we designed a compact setup with directional audio, ensuring voices remained clear and immersive even in a busy environment.
‘Our Voices’ was designed to be vibrant, playful, and accessible. The visual style was guided by the ‘Our Voices’ brand, incorporating a character generator and colour palette. We carefully crafted 24 custom animated sprites, each with unique clothing, hairstyles, and accessories to represent a wide spectrum of identities, ensuring all children could see themselves reflected in the exhibition.
The interactive system uses a depth-sensing camera, allowing contactless engagement. Spotlights are subtle and can be turned off when not in use, while directional audio ensures each character’s voice can be clearly heard. Young Kiwi voices were cast to bring the stories to life in an authentic way.
The project was managed from start to finish, covering the entire creative and technical process, from concept development and character design to sound production, voice casting, and installation. Every element was carefully selected to create a seamless experience that balanced technology with storytelling.
Since launching on December 3, 2024, ‘Our Voices’ has recorded 169,879 spotlight activations as of April 27, 2025. Due to its success, the exhibition was extended from 10 to 20 weeks.
Although designed for children, the exhibition captivated adults as well, sparking meaningful discussions between caregivers and their kids. Parents were often surprised by the depth of young people's perspectives, fostering greater intergenerational understanding. The exhibition’s impact was recognised at a national level, with the Children's Commissioner attending the launch and speaking about its significance in elevating youth voices.
More than an exhibition, ‘Our Voices’ is a powerful, interactive storytelling experience that transforms research into human connection, setting a new benchmark for how data can be brought to life.