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Partnering with Centre for Digital Media to Imagine Public Space

This spring, we had the opportunity to collaborate with a group of graduate students from the Centre for Digital Media (CDM) on a creative exploration for the South Flats Plaza. Their brief: to design an interactive public installation that could help activate the space and reflect the spirit of the neighbourhood.

From the beginning, the collaboration felt like a true partnership. The student team brought a mix of curiosity, rigour, and creative energy to the table. Each team member brought a unique skillset to the project, including roles in project management, product strategy, technical art, 3D modeling, UX/UI design, and software development.

The result was a concept that blends physical and digital elements into a playful, motion-responsive installation, that invites people to pause, explore, and connect.

Here’s what the team had to say about the experience:

What was it like collaborating with Low Tide?
It was energizing! Low Tide brought a clear vision for South Flats but gave us the freedom to explore. Their feedback was thoughtful and always grounded in how the work could benefit the neighbourhood. It felt like we were building something together, not just delivering a brief.

What excites you about South Flats?
It’s a place that still feels open to possibility. There’s a creative energy here with design schools, startups, studios and a willingness to try new things. It feels like a neighbourhood that’s still becoming itself, and that’s exciting.

How did you approach the early stages of the project?
We started with broad ideation with no idea being too weird to explore. We worked in fast, iterative sprints, testing and refining as we went. A big influence was Crossing the Chasm by Geoffrey Moore, which helped us think about how to make the experience accessible and engaging for everyone, not just early adopters.

What challenges did you face?
Midway through, we realized our original concept that included a photo-upload experience was not resonating with users. It felt too complicated and invasive. With Low Tide’s guidance, we pivoted to a more ambient, motion-responsive design. It was a great reminder to listen to users and stay flexible.

What was a highlight for you?
Seeing someone step into the VR prototype for the first time and say, “Wait, this is actually so cool.” That moment when an idea becomes real and connects emotionally, that was unforgettable.

While the final concept is still in its early stages, the process itself was a success! It reminded us of the power of collaboration, and the value of creating space for new voices and ideas. We are excited to see how South Flats continues to evolve and where this project might go next!