Responsive Storytelling Experience

Microsoft Envisioning Center: Interactive Storyworld

Client:

Microsoft Strategic Prototyping Group

Venue/Location:

Microsoft Campus, Redmond, WA

Browse:

highlights

Client:

Microsoft Strategic Prototyping Group

Browse:

highlights

What is the potential for immersive storytelling in our not-so-distant future? Or—perhaps more relevant now than ever before—for connecting over video?

Microsoft’s Strategic Prototyping Group asked Belle & Wissell to help them explore what the future of a family’s story-time might be like, with the resulting media experience presented at Microsoft’s Envisioning Center.

The original story comes to life through a series of seamless interactions made by its participants. The choices made along the way result in a dynamically-generated story world.

The responsive environment centers around active participation of a child, grandmother, and a stuffed lion (who becomes the central character).

Belle & Wissell’s content development team worked in close collaboration with Microsoft’s internal programming group to create an innovative interactive experience that tells a thoughtful and timeless story about the lion’s adventure in search of his beloved cherry blossom.

The team utilized unique interactive methods and Microsoft’s latest technologies to explore the potential of storytelling in the future–a truly theatrical and immersive experience.

Project Accolades:

Seattle Business Magazine “The Power of Design,” 2014
CNBC “Can gaming consoles change the way we chat online?” 2013
BBC “Inside Microsoft’s house of the future,” 2013
HGTV “Home of Tomorrow…” 2013
Seattle Times “Microsoft debuts its new concept of the future,” 2013
KOMO News “Microsoft unveils its new Envisioning Center,” 2013
Wired “Design Fiction: the Microsoft Envisioning Center,” 2013

Belle & Wissell Team Credits

Design Director: Gabe Kean
Art Director: Thomas Ryun
Senior Designer: Edrea Lita
Junior Designer: Jing Wu
Operations Manager: Sarah Trueblood
Illustrator: Steven Henry
Animator: Jed Bursiek
Animator: Eugene Kong
Writer: Pat McKay

Additional Project Credits

Director, Strategic Prototyping: Jonathan Cluts
Director, Office Envisioning: Anton Andrews
Senior User Experience Designer, Strategic Prototyping:
 Ana Pinto da Silva
Principal Program Manager: Reena Kawal
Programmer: Sven Pleyer
3D Character Animator: Mike Stravides
Architect: Olson Kundig Architects
Interior Design: NBBJ
Product Design: General Assembly

Belle & Wissell Team Credits

Design Director: Gabe Kean
Art Director: Thomas Ryun
Senior Designer: Edrea Lita
Junior Designer: Jing Wu
Operations Manager: Sarah Trueblood
Illustrator: Steven Henry
Animator: Jed Bursiek
Animator: Eugene Kong
Writer: Pat McKay

Additional Project Credits

Director, Strategic Prototyping: Jonathan Cluts
Director, Office Envisioning: Anton Andrews
Senior User Experience Designer, Strategic Prototyping:
 Ana Pinto da Silva
Principal Program Manager: Reena Kawal
Programmer: Sven Pleyer
3D Character Animator: Mike Stravides
Architect: Olson Kundig Architects
Interior Design: NBBJ
Product Design: General Assembly

What is the potential for immersive storytelling in our not-so-distant future? Or—perhaps more relevant now than ever before—for connecting over video?

Microsoft’s Strategic Prototyping Group asked Belle & Wissell to help them explore what the future of a family’s story-time might be like, with the resulting media experience presented at Microsoft’s Envisioning Center.

The original story comes to life through a series of seamless interactions made by its participants. The choices made along the way result in a dynamically-generated story world.

The responsive environment centers around active participation of a child, grandmother, and a stuffed lion (who becomes the central character).

Belle & Wissell’s content development team worked in close collaboration with Microsoft’s internal programming group to create an innovative interactive experience that tells a thoughtful and timeless story about the lion’s adventure in search of his beloved cherry blossom.

The team utilized unique interactive methods and Microsoft’s latest technologies to explore the potential of storytelling in the future–a truly theatrical and immersive experience.

Project Accolades:

Seattle Business Magazine “The Power of Design,” 2014
CNBC “Can gaming consoles change the way we chat online?” 2013
BBC “Inside Microsoft’s house of the future,” 2013
HGTV “Home of Tomorrow…” 2013
Seattle Times “Microsoft debuts its new concept of the future,” 2013
KOMO News “Microsoft unveils its new Envisioning Center,” 2013
Wired “Design Fiction: the Microsoft Envisioning Center,” 2013