Why This Interactive Installation Worked Better Than a Campaign
- Darren O'Mahony
- 16 minutes ago
- 2 min read
It wasn’t the biggest budget. It wasn’t the slickest tech. But it stuck, and that's what matters.
Each year we built a lot. Fast-turnaround rollouts. New tech. National digital activations.
But the project that stayed with me, and still makes me smile, is Telstra’s Big Christmas.
It was an interactive installation that turned a flagship store into a playful, unexpected moment of joy.
It was physical. Immediate. And it worked because people could engage without needing to think.
The Project: Telstra Big Christmas
Client: Telstra
Experience: A large-scale interactive installation for Christmas
What We Created:
A walkable keyboard inspired by fun theory
Every step triggered musical notes and festive animations
A physical installation designed to create spontaneous joy
Why It Worked
It didn’t need signage or instructions.
People saw it. Smiled. Joined in.
Kids ran straight onto the keys. Adults followed.
Within minutes, strangers were creating music together, laughing, playing in sync.
That’s the beauty of a well-designed interactive public installation. It doesn’t need explanation. It invites action.
What It Reminded Us
This experience wasn’t about technology. It was about instinct. It proved that interactive installations don’t need to be high-tech to be high-impact. We’ve delivered complex AR, digital, and gamified builds but this one stood out for its simplicity and clarity. It created dwell time, emotional response, and community connection.
How That’s Shaping 2026
We’re applying that same thinking to what we build next. Not everything needs to be an app. Not every campaign needs to shout. Sometimes, the most effective interactive installations are the ones that feel effortless. When the idea is strong, the tech becomes invisible. The joy becomes the feature.
Want to Create Something That Actually Connects?
We’re already building for Q1. If you want to make something physical, joyful, and impossible to ignore, we’d love to be involved.
Send us your problem. We’ll come back with ideas.