Overview
Ricebox Studio and I partnered on a bid for Culture Within Newham’s Winter Commission 2024–2025, an initiative focused on community, sustainability and accessible creativity.
Ricebox Studio and I partnered on a bid for Culture Within Newham’s Winter Commission 2024–2025, an initiative focused on community, sustainability and accessible creativity.
From 42 applicants, we were selected as one of three finalists to present our idea to a children’s panel from Gallions, Rosetta and New City primary schools. Our winning concept became the Sound Hive, an interactive synth table that turns children’s artwork and environmental ideas into sound, light, play and collaboration.
Problem Statement
The commission centred on three themes: strengthening community connections, improving awareness of environmental issues such as littering, and creating inclusive access to joyful experiences for children across Newham. The challenge was to design an installation that felt child-led, educational and playful. Something that encouraged collaboration, curiosity and environmental reflection, while remaining simple enough for children of all abilities to explore.
The commission centred on three themes: strengthening community connections, improving awareness of environmental issues such as littering, and creating inclusive access to joyful experiences for children across Newham. The challenge was to design an installation that felt child-led, educational and playful. Something that encouraged collaboration, curiosity and environmental reflection, while remaining simple enough for children of all abilities to explore.
Solution
We created the Sound Hive: an interactive synth table that turns children’s visual ideas about recycling, waste and the local environment into soundscapes and playful interactions.
We created the Sound Hive: an interactive synth table that turns children’s visual ideas about recycling, waste and the local environment into soundscapes and playful interactions.
We used workshops across three schools to build the foundation of the experience. Children created artwork based on a simple and actionable traffic-light system that they experience in their day to day life: green for positive actions, amber for things to consider, red for actions with environmental impact. These visuals informed the final soundscapes, sticker designs and the table’s narrative framework.
We presented multiple visual options back to the students, who selected the final 8-bit, retro-gaming aesthetic, which complemented the interactive nature of the table.
The Sound Hive encourages children to collaborate, make music together, and explore how everyday choices shape their environment, all through play.
My Role:
I co-led and facilitated the workshop activities, helped shape the sorting system and conversations around sustainability, which later translated the children’s ideas into a cohesive visual direction. I designed the 3D bee character and worked closely with Ricebox to develop the illustrative stickers the bee interacts with. Throughout the build phase, I supported the construction of the table and ensured visual and brand consistency of every element.
I co-led and facilitated the workshop activities, helped shape the sorting system and conversations around sustainability, which later translated the children’s ideas into a cohesive visual direction. I designed the 3D bee character and worked closely with Ricebox to develop the illustrative stickers the bee interacts with. Throughout the build phase, I supported the construction of the table and ensured visual and brand consistency of every element.
Creative Decisions
• Using the children’s own artwork and ideas as the foundation of the experience
• Adopting a clear traffic-light system to help them understand environmental impact
• Letting students choose the final 8-bit visual style to create a sense of ownership
• Designing a friendly 3D bee character to make sustainability feel approachable
• Ensuring the interaction design was accessible and enjoyable for all ages
• Building an installation that could travel, allowing the project to live beyond the commission
• Using the children’s own artwork and ideas as the foundation of the experience
• Adopting a clear traffic-light system to help them understand environmental impact
• Letting students choose the final 8-bit visual style to create a sense of ownership
• Designing a friendly 3D bee character to make sustainability feel approachable
• Ensuring the interaction design was accessible and enjoyable for all ages
• Building an installation that could travel, allowing the project to live beyond the commission
Outcome
The Sound Hive launched at Beckton Globe Library, where more than 100 people attended the opening. Children explored the table, collaborated, asked questions and filled the space with sound and energy!
Beyond fulfilling the commission brief, we wanted to create something lasting, a playful and engaging piece that could travel around Newham and continue to connect with local children. The installation is now touring Newham’s libraries, schools and science fairs, continuing to offer playful, accessible experiences that encourage young people to think creatively about their environment and their community.
The Sound Hive launched at Beckton Globe Library, where more than 100 people attended the opening. Children explored the table, collaborated, asked questions and filled the space with sound and energy!
Beyond fulfilling the commission brief, we wanted to create something lasting, a playful and engaging piece that could travel around Newham and continue to connect with local children. The installation is now touring Newham’s libraries, schools and science fairs, continuing to offer playful, accessible experiences that encourage young people to think creatively about their environment and their community.
