Who we are
Lightwell has been creating multimedia technology and interactive experiences for cultural institutions, mobile devices and the web for over 15 years.
Our guiding principle is to create user-centred experiences. We work with curators, researchers, communities, architects, exhibition designers and other expert teams, facilitating a collaborative design process from start to final delivery. We let the stories lead our work, while finding the right technology to share it with visitors in unique, innovative and fun ways.
Drawing on our wealth of experience in this industry and our well-established codebase, we consistently deliver unique, informative and durable installations made for today’s audiences.
What makes us unique
→ Experience in a museum context
Lightwell works almost exclusively making media for museums and cultural projects. We care deeply about the stories we’re telling, and will produce media and digital systems of the highest international standard.
→ Content-driven and visitor-centred
Our approach to all our projects is to focus on the stories, data and content first, then develop digital media that best conveys this to the visitor.
→ We handle the production in-house
We run workshops, write, draw, take photos, make video, animate, develop code - all these diverse skills mean that we’re not reliant on outside contractors and can constantly test and update our productions throughout the design process.
→ Robust code
Our core team has more than 15 years’ experience in developing large-scale, multimedia installations and videos. Our libraries are the building blocks upon which we develop new programs, and this solid foundation means we can devote time and energy to the new components of the program.
→ First Nations Collaboration
Our team have experience collaborating with a number of Indigenous communities and organisations. We consider the perspective of First Nations Peoples and will look at working with Indigenous enterprises to provide content and feedback within our productions.
→ Collaborative process
We understand the need to work closely with clients, stakeholders and consultants. Our design process is one of discovery – we adapt, iterate and allow for collaboration within our processes.
→ User-testing and accessibility
Our team is trained in human-centred and strategic design. Within the project schedule, we allow for user-experience and content workshops as well as user and accessibility testing with different visitor groups.
→ No on-going proprietary costs for software
We develop bespoke software for our clients but do not charge ongoing licence fees or royalties for our software, which provides greater cost certainty and allows institutions to plan into the future.
What we do
→ Concept and design development
We develop creative concepts and provide end-to-end user experience and interface design.
→ Content shaping and storytelling
We help shape your content to let the most important stories shine. Workshops and user testing sessions help us tell the right stories for the right audiences.
→ Project management
We manage projects as lead contractor or within a larger project team.
→ Installation and commissioning
Lightwell works with a broad range of integrators and other trades to install and deliver our projects.
→ Testing and support
Testing and bug fixing is carried out throughout project development, right up to installation and delivery. We offer a 12-month warranty on all our software and provide detailed documentation at the end of each project.
→ Interactive design and development
We design and produce touchtables, touchwalls, interactive projections, body-tracking installations, virtual reality and augmented reality, and other types of interactives, all coded in robust C++.
→ Video production + photography
We organise, produce and shoot video productions and photography sessions for a variety of purposes.
→ 2D + 3D animation
We produce hand-drawn and computer-generated 2D and 3D animations for use within atmospheric backdrops, storytelling experiences or as content within an interactive.
→ Mobile + tablet apps
We make native iOS and Android apps for handheld devices, both for BYO device and exhibition uses.
→ Storytelling websites
We make responsive web apps for mobile, tablet or desktop browsers, focusing on content-rich storytelling.