Museums
Bringing Museums to Life
Interactive Soundscape Experiences
Blending the artistry of storytelling with innovative audio technology, I forged pathways in visitor engagement using interactive soundscapes. My vision was to envelop visitors in a cocoon of historical narratives and tactile sensations, turning every museum visit into a journey through time.
Audio
Transitioning from short film to physical spaces, I harnessed the evocative power of sound to sculpt emotions and environments. Collaborating with Tea Dance For Little People (now Curious Families), my role quickly evolved from sound design to crafting entire interactive installations. Among them was an enchanted tree whispering stories once entered, a bench murmuring with Santa’s snores, and a whimsical wishing well that responded to offerings with sounds of magic and mystery. These installations, including a bespoke wireless multi-speaker system for my own woodland wedding, were precursors to even more ambitious projects.
Museums
My partnership with the National Trust sparked interest in what immersive audio could achieve for heritage sites. At Leith Hill Place in Surrey, I crafted a ‘soundscape tour’ where WiFi-enabled narratives, voiced by luminaries such as Virginia McKenna and Sir Richard Stilgoe, breathed life into the silent walls. This innovative approach continued with contributions to Rainham Hall, the Clink Prison Museum, and other historic venues, each project further developing my work in sensory storytelling.
This unique intersection of culture and technology earned me the Mayor of Lewisham’s Business Award for Creative Digital Entrepreneur in 2015.
A Prelude to Modern Fables
The impact of interactive audio on visitors was profound, spurring me to apply this immersive philosophy to the creation of Modern Fables’ debut escape room. With each project, I refined my ability to craft narratives that not only told stories but allowed people to live them, setting the stage for my future endeavors in immersive experience design.
Client Testimony
"I collaborated with Jay Harris on a sound installation for National Trust property, Leith Hill Place – telling the life story of composer Vaughan Williams through narration, sound and music. His expertise and attention to detail in sourcing the relevant sounds to enhance the script, editing and installing was fantastic and really brought my vision to life. It is a major part of our interpretation experience and has received glowing comments from visitors. It was an ambitious project for a listed building on a short timescale and was not without its problems! Jay was very flexible and accommodating, addressing the challenges calmly and with great care and delivering a bespoke installation that really works in the space."
"Jay was part of the creative and delivery team for Rainham Hall, a National Trust property in Rainham, Havering. As part of the new visitor experience of the Hall, we worked with Jay to create immersive soundscapes for three rooms within the Hall. This included everything from the recording of nursery rhymes to the capture of bird sounds. Jay really understood the peculiarities of the place and the project, resulting in soundscapes that are intrinsic pieces of the Hall itself."
"Jay worked with us on a number of elements within our new displays and the electronic sound and vision trickery he has provided has had a real impact on our visitors. What really impressed us was that no matter how crazy our ideas for exhibits, Jay not only took them seriously but completely understood what we were getting at (even if we didn't all the time!) and gave excellent, practical advice that never watered down the original concept, but actually enhanced it. Jay has been great to work with, produced results and will definitely be called upon again!"
"It was a pleasure working with Jay over the last year. He was extraordinarily patient with us as we tried to find time to work on the project and never made us feel hassled in anyway. The end result is just what we wanted and we think it is going to help our visitors gain an improved understanding of how the old buildings were once used. The background sounds and the snippets of the men talking is both interesting and atmospheric. It is also easy to use!"
"Jay has worked at The Clink providing easy-to-use audio solutions and sound design for the various exhibit spaces at the museum. His sound design has really brought the rooms to life in an atmospheric non-intrusive way. Jay is very reliable and we will continue to work with him in the future, developing our exhibits further. I would not hesitate to recommend him."
"Pendon Museum has worked with Jay Harris and his associates on a couple of projects both of which have been completed to time and budget and, more importantly, exceeded our expectations. As well as that they have been very well-received by museum visitors who say that they have brought new life and dimension to the exhibits. We have no hesitation in recommending Jay as a collaborator who listens to the client, helps develop and then implement ideas and approaches and who is a pleasure to work with."
