- Project: The Star Is Rising: Interactive Modular Exhibition
- Role: Experiential Design, Art Direction, & Illustration
- Client: Gres Todorchuk Agency & Pictoric
- Location: Kyiv, Ukraine
An interactive, large-scale modular illustration system designed to physically engage audiences with global holiday folklore. Built for “The Star Is Rising” exhibition, this life-sized tactile installation transformed traditional character design into a spatial, mix-and-match puzzle.
The Strategy: Beyond Santa Claus
The brief was to create an entertaining and educational installation for children that expanded their cultural awareness beyond the typical Santa Claus narrative.
I curated a specific lineup of global winter characters with highly contrasting silhouettes and volumes—from the Polish Gwiazdka and the German Knecht Ruprecht to the unexpected Christmas Alligator. By intentionally clashing these proportions, every rotation of the blocks resulted in a visually absurd and highly engaging payoff, encouraging extended playtime and learning.
The Impact
The installation became a focal point of the exhibition. The tactile nature of the 1.5-meter blocks drove high physical engagement and dwell time among children, while the absurd character combinations naturally transformed the installation into a highly-shared photo opportunity and interactive centerpiece.
