Place Design for Museum Exhibition
Turning a single painting into a living, breathing story.
The National Coal Mining Museum asked us to create an immersive exhibition celebrating the life and work of miner and artist Tom McGuinness. Centred around Children Playing in the Street of a Durham Pit Village, the experience invites visitors to step inside Tom’s world through animation, projection, sound and spatial design.
More than artwork.
We extended the painting beyond its frame, using archive material and subtle animation to bring its characters, streets and mining scenes to life while staying true to Tom’s distinctive style.
Interactive installations created new ways for younger visitors to explore the work, resulting in an experience that audiences could see, hear, feel and become part of.
Immersive storytelling
Projection, animation and sound transformed the static painting into a multisensory experience.
Authentic details
Tom’s original artwork, archival monologue and signature shaped every part of the exhibition.
Wider engagement
Interactive hopscotch and magnetic play installations invited younger audiences into the story.
We didn’t just showcase the artwork. We brought people inside it, turning a single painting into a living, breathing story that audiences can see, hear and feel.
ITVX Television Advert for National Tourist Attraction
Three days of filming covering underground experiences, heritage exhibits, outdoor attractions and drone footage
140 metres underground capturing the atmosphere of the museum’s iconic Underground Tour
World Media Congress Event Branding
83% increase in delegates since the previous year
90% of partners intend to return in 2026