Hidden Valley
Hidden Valley is an interactive story world that has been created for the Children’s Assessment Unit at The Grange University Hospital.
Hidden Valley is both a physical and digital artwork that exists through multiple spaces within the hospital. The main artwork in the children’s waiting room provides a welcoming and engaging environment. The artwork unfolds across several walls and invites you to explore a town full of imagination; brimming with fun, ingenuity and invention. For those with a keen eye and sense of play there is an additional challenge to find the 10 characters and objects lurking somewhere in the artwork!
Visitors can discover even more through the digital layer; an interactive comic book that brings many of the characters from Hidden Valley to life through story and animation. Easily accessed via QR code within the artwork.
This imaginative project was developed through a number of phases and collaborations. In the first phase yello brick undertook initial research to identify key themes and parameters in order to shape a clear brief and concept. As part of our research phase we spoke to staff from the Children’s Assessment Ward about their experiences and discussed what was important to consider for the children and young people who may be coming into the space.
The second phase of the project was about developing and iterating our concept in response to the research that we had undertaken. We created an outline idea of how we would approach the project exploring story and mechanics. After this we created mood boards, characters and scenarios to lay the foundations for the artwork’s story world. We then collaborated with Matt Joyce (Illustrator) who magically brought these stories and characters to life. Helping to spark new ideas and develop the narratives within the artwork both physically and digitally.
“The site-specific artworks are playful vistas & provides visual engagement for children & young people who at a time of pain, stress & high anxiety have an environment that can positively impact on their treatment journey, experience & recovery”
The final stage of the project was to develop the digital element; the Hidden Valley Interactive Comic Book. The comic book features nine interactive stories that feature the main characters that you find in the physical artwork. After creating an outline for each story, Matt beautifully illustrated each of the stories often adding his unique flair to how these stories unfold. At the same time Hoffi, our technology partner, created a web platform for the comic book. Hoffi collaborated with us to create the playful interactions and animations using Matt’s drawings and bringing an extra bit of magic to the work.
You can view the interactive comic by going to HiddenValley.Wales on a mobile device!.
We hope that both the physical artworks and digital comic book will provide a playful distraction and welcoming environment for the Children’s Assessment Unit and the artworks will have a positive impact on the young people and playfully minded who visit the hospital.
Hidden Valley was produced by yello brick in collaboration with Matt Joyce and Hoffi and commissioned by Studio Response: The Grange Hospital Arts Programme Commissioners
