The Museum of London takes their audience back to the middle ages in a new and exciting exhibition, Medieval London. And the Norwegian design and technology company Tape London, were chosen to create the web pages and interactive games for the exhibition.
"They were so excited about our work on the games and the web site they asked to contribute and shape the physical exhibition" says Ronny Ellefsen, Director & Creative Consultant i Tape London.
Alongside shiny medieval brochures and Viking grave stones are several kiosks with information about the artifacts. Tape also designed 4 games where children can play and find out about out London in the middle ages. Many of the characters in the games are represented in the physical exhibition.
Ellefsen worked closely with Italian illustrator, Lucia Gaggiotti to visualise the development of London from the end of the Roman era, through to Viking times and the Black death, until Elisabeth I came to power in 1558.
"Our clean, Scandinavian style is different and is well received in London. We are probably riding the Scandinavian design wave, but we also win projects based on our focus on usability in design and technology" -says Ellefsen.
He has the foot well inside the door of the museums in London, working with Victoria & Albert Museum and the Science Museum, as well as several projects for the Museum of London. Tape's role was to inspire young visitors to become interested in history both before, during and after the visit. In the games children can go shopping in Viking-London, and try to survive in an era of poverty and disease.
"Today's information-rich society has forced museums to rethink their exhibitions. And they are realising that they no longer can just hang a picture on the wall and think that audience will be impressed" says Ellefsen.
He started Tape London in 2001 when dot-com had hit rock bottom. Times are different now and as well as working with large international clients, Tape London have several museum projects in the pipeline. This suits Ellefsen well;
"To make it easier for people to be engaged in history, gives me great satisfaction, he says." he says
Text: Tina Helen Aasen
