Bleached

Project Brief & Objectives

• Task: Create an educational, interactive exhibit promoting ocean sustainability

• Key Topic: Highlight how coral reefs, vital to marine ecosystems and human industries (e.g., medicinal research, local economies), face threats from increasing CO₂ emissions

• Goal: Provide a visceral demonstration of how everyday behaviors lead to negative underwater consequences, motivating viewers to learn and act.

Research & Insights

Aquarium of the Pacific Visit

Before designing, we analyzed eight aquarium installations and noted that only three evoked strong emotional responses. Common themes among the most impactful exhibits were:

• Physical Interaction rather than purely digital

• Familiar, relatable content instead of distant concepts

• Immediate Feedback, allowing visitors to see how their actions directly influenced the environment

This underscored a key insight: underwater damage often goes unnoticed because it’s out of sight in daily life. Our challenge became:

“How might we help people see and feel the effects of their actions on coral reefs in real time?”

Refining the Concept

Focusing on Coral Bleaching

While existing measures like cultivating marine plants or breeding heat-tolerant coral address symptoms, we wanted to draw attention to the root cause—rising CO₂ emissions.

Core Question: “How can we create an installation that gives viewers immediate feedback about their contribution to coral bleaching?”

Design Constraints

• Space: The “Igloo” 360° projection room

• Technology: Arduino sensors, Unity for real-time interactivity, generative AI visuals, After Effects animation, and Premiere Pro soundscapes

• Simplicity: A single microwave sensor to detect proximity, triggering animations and environmental changes

Prototyping & Implementation

Interactive Setup

1. Presence Detection: A single microwave sensor monitors if a visitor is within 200cm.

2. Triggered Animation: Once triggered, the healthy coral scene transitions to a bleached environment, symbolizing the cumulative impact of sustained CO₂ emissions over time.

3. Projector & 360° Environment: Unity funnels AI-generated visuals and animated sequences into an immersive dome, wrapping guests in a marine world that degrades based on their “presence.”

   
   

Technical Details

• Generative AI produced vivid coral imagery.

• After Effects provided animation, while Premiere Pro added an evocative soundscape of underwater life.

• Unity Integration: Combined sensor data with the video loops for real-time feedback inside the 360° Igloo room.

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Interaction Modes

• Short Interaction: Brief engagement prompts a mild visual shift.

• Long Interaction: Extended proximity amplifies bleaching, illustrating a more severe environmental consequence.

Deliver: Showcasing & Reflections

Exhibition Experience

Visitors enter a serene underwater world before witnessing a rapid decline in reef health triggered by prolonged presence. This transformation highlights how day-to-day habits—often invisible—can severely impact marine environments.

Lessons Learned

1. Interaction Intent: Proximity detection alone feels abstract for illustrating coral bleaching. More direct gestures (e.g., turning knobs to emit “CO₂,” pressing buttons to mimic pollution) could strengthen the user’s sense of cause-and-effect.

2. Realism vs. AI Art: AI-generated corals lacked true realism, somewhat limiting emotional impact. Live footagemight offer a more powerful, authentic depiction.

3. Lasting Impact: Adding tangible takeaways (info cards, QR codes, actionable tips) could deepen participants’ sense of responsibility.

4. Enhanced Immersion: Expanding sensor variety (e.g., sound or motion detection) and possibly projecting on the floor could create a more holistic underwater experience.

   
   

Future Iterations

• Additional Sensors: Implement multiple detection points or interactive elements that more directly tie user behavior to reef degradation.

• Stronger Storytelling: Incorporate guided narration, real footage, and clearer calls to action for more engaging storytelling.

• Collaboration & Partnerships: Work with marine biologists, conservation groups, or museums to scale the project’s educational outreach.

Conclusion

Bleached demonstrates how immersive technology can bring distant ecological challenges—like coral bleaching—up close, prompting viewers to confront the hidden consequences of their everyday habits. By merging sensor-based triggers, 360° projection, and a thematic narrative, we’ve created a prototype that not only informs but also provokes deeper reflection on personal and collective environmental responsibilities.