The Art of Wonder

Experience Design, the enterprise of creating immersive worlds around people seems to be the biggest star in today\'s marketing firmament. No other medium is more promising in connecting people to stories, places and ideas. What is the story behind this movement? How did it evolve and what is the best way of navigating in this sector? In this revealing book, two pioneers reconstruct the past 25 years, showing how constructed experiencecame to be central in our lives. They arrive at an original conclusion: immersive experience design is not just the latest new media extension. It is related to our way of being, of finding our way in life. When used in the right way, it serves as an instrument for massive, multi agent change. The Art of Wonder not only gives a thorough analysis of the psychologicalfoundations of Experience Design and its rise into cultural and commercial realms, it also provides practical tips for how to build engaging worlds for your audiences. Larded with the light hearted history of their own XD-firm, one gets more than a feel for this way of work.From museums to theme parks and from A-brands to governments, Experience Design (XD) is paramount in today\'s creative industry. Imagination is becoming the ultimate canvas for connecting people to brands, stories, and places. It will be of interest to all students and professionals active in experience design, including their bosses and clients. Since the book contains a first person account of discovering what XD is, it will function as a companion for designers and senior managers alike, since a growing segment of todays\' bigger organizations launches experiential marketing initiatives, posing new questions to their Marketing & Communication departments.Erik Bär (1969) and Stan Boshouwers (1968) studied Cognitive Artificial Intelligence at Utrecht University in The Netherlands. In 1991, they founded Tinker imagineers, now one of the leading experience design agencies in Europe.

Modern organizations are looking for ways to really engage their clients. Consumers become audiences, looking for true and heartfelt experiences. This book provides answers for everyone who wants to turn this into reality. This book is about immersive experience design, the art of creating spaces that tell a story. It's the result of over 30 years of work by one of Europe's first specialized XD agencies. Starting in 1991, the authors witnessed the rise of a completely new industry, mixing graphic, spatial and theatrical arts with interaction design and personal growth. Worlds of Wonder is the illustrated summary of that ongoing journey. lt is intended for everyone in the process of revealing their brand, art, history or ideas about the future. Spatial storytelling is as old as architecture, and modern media technologies have boosted its scale and expressive powers. The more the online world grows, the greater the need becomes for actual spaces of wonder and imagination. People seek out those spaces to indulge in immersive experiences and social interaction. A very exciting industry is emerging. One that is growing in depth and in strength. This book contains many examples, with the intention of giving you a sense of what works and why, from the psychological foundations of consumer behaviour to practical steps to action. Worlds of Wonder is an invitation to anyone involved in this inspiring field.