When we were first challenged with creating a digital experience from a 19th century watercolour, our team were intrigued… we frequently create augmented reality experiences from artworks, but it’s not often we work with an artefact that’s both so removed from modern technology and yet so representative of historic innovation.

Isambard Kingdom Brunel was an iconic innovator, and so prone to experimentation that we can’t help but think he’d be enchanted by our combination of analogue binoculars and futuristic VR technology.

We wanted to create an experience that felt like you were really peering back to the launch, meaning our digital scene needed to match the real-world view as much as possible.

First we used AI to extend Bristol artist Joseph Walter’s watercolour of the launch to give us more of a 180 degree view to play with. Then we digitally cut out and layered different 2D elements to create a spatialised 3D scene; a technique inspired by Victorian peepshows!

Next, we used our traditional animation skills to add movement and depth to the digitised watercolour. Our favourite moving moments are the flapping flags, diving seagulls, and the sailors heaving on the ropes to help the ship’s maiden voyage.

To create a more immersive scene we added atmospheric sound effects like the gull’s calls, the cheering crowd, and the lapping water. During the installation it was hard to differentiate between the real noises and those from within the world of the binoculars!

The final result retains some of the original 2D appearance of the artefact. However, when visitors view our scene through the binoculars it is overlaid with the real-world ship and calibrated so that it digitally replaces the modern day view and authentically ‘launches’ the viewer back 180 years to the ship’s own launch in 1843.

We worked with the SS Great Britain Trust’s Technical and Interpretation teams to choose the perfect viewing location. Near to the bow of the ship and close to their Education spaces, the chosen spot offers a view which matches the angle of the painting and receives plenty of visitors!

The Technical team fashioned a wooden and rope platform to level out the sloping dockyard and blend our modern binoculars with the stylised museum grounds – the perfect contrast to the striking red and black brand colours which we painted our unit.

Have you ever wondered what you’d wear to the 1843 launch of the SS Great Britain?

We also developed a fun AR social media filter which allows users to digitally dress up for the launch, and see themselves superimposed into the watercolour. Accessed via a QR code on the binoculars, or directly through Instagram, this is a quick and simple AR experience.

Redeploying the digitised painting as a social media filter as well as in the binoculars is a great way to engage visitors pre-visit and an easy digital souvenir for onsite visitors, without the need for additional assets.

We were delighted to be invited to the 180th anniversary of the ship’s launch where the binoculars took centre stage, entertaining the 180 invited guests who were there to celebrate.

Along with sea shanties sung by a local choir and ship-shaped cake cut by 2021 Great British Baker winner Giuseppe, the crowds were entertained at the sight of ‘Mr Brunel’ peering through the binoculars and reminiscing about the launch day 180 years ago.

We received fantastic feedback and really enjoyed chatting to children, parents and the press about the project. If anyone visits and has additional feedback, you’re welcome to send us your thoughts.

This was an exciting and fun local project for us, and we’re delighted to have a pair of our VR binoculars installed in our home city.

If you’re interested in purchasing or leasing some for your own exhibition, festival or installation do get in touch and we’ll happily advise you on your first VR voyage!