Lumo Experiential Design
The Lumo Symposium is one of our ‘Pandemic Series’ - three projects that very nearly happened, but were cancelled or postponed due to COVID.
Lumo Symposium was to be held in Christchurch in March 2022. Shades Arcade’s role was to provide creative direction and curate a range of participatory experiences that enabled the exchange of ideas and connectivity to the future of energy.
Our plan was to make Lumo an experience quite different from any other conference. It included a variety of breakout activities, actions and decorations.
Unfortunately, after months of preparation and refinement, the symposium was cancelled due to COVID.
Casino
Participants are encouraged to gather around a table with a casino-like feel, where a gaming dealer encourages participants to play a game of chance and unpredictability. Players use Lumo money to bet on (and discuss) ‘the future’
Faux Keynote Speaker
The first speaker is an actor posing convincingly as a spokesperson for a large corporation. In their engaging speech they talk about how wonderful things are and what we have achieved in the energy sector. The audience should initially be quite convinced, and not immediately aware that this is an act. By destabilizing and dismantling standard conference structures, we motivate participants in a positive way - this is not a standard conference!
Chocolate Wheel
A gaming dealer encourages participants to play a Chocolate Wheel game of chance and unpredictability. The chocolate wheel is set up so each quadrant represents an energy source, each energy source is given a proportionate weighting to the current global use (e.g. Nuclear, Coal, Hydro, Solar, Wind etc.)
Slam Poet
The awesome poet Daisy Speaks would attend the symposium for the day, and recite a poem written from her impressions.
Gigantic Lumo graphical sculptures
Two approximately 5 metre long sculptures in the ‘s’ and ‘z’ shapes of Lumo branding sit outside the conference. To decorate the outdoor space, strengthen brand awareness and provide a meeting point for walks.
Move and Talk
In their stash bag, each participant receives a card with a talking point on one side and a map on the back. At any point during the day, they can go to the meeting point and find someone who also wants a talk. Walk around Victoria Square, take an electric bike or punt on the avon, and have a chat. Not down any key points to add to the Thinking Wall
Thinking Wall
This dedicated wall space has a bunch of ‘starter ideas’ posted up. Post-it notes and markers are provided, and participants are encouraged to come and add their thoughts to the wall at any point throughout the day.
Post it notes in the shapes of thumbs up, happy, sad, angry emojis are also provided in stash bags, encouraging the feel of an informal social chat.
Outdoor Area
We gave design and direction for an informal outdoor setting that would provide relaxation and conversation.