Joyce Campbell Sensory Wall

East London NHS Trust and Bow Arts commissioned us to create an interactive artwork inspired by nature and the River Lea for an NHS Special Educational Needs Clinic in East Ham. We began by observing and speaking with parents, staff, and young people at a local clinic already in operation to understand the important considerations to incorporate into our design. Using a tactile sensory box, we explored the different textures, sounds, and stimuli that appeal to people with special needs. Observation and an iterative design process were key to ensuring the design would accommodate a wide range of sensory needs and preferences. After testing how service users responded to various tactile textures and observing which existing play elements were popular, we developed a multi-sensory, interactive wall mural. This “touchy-feely” landscape features an illuminated spinning pool of fish, a winding textured river, wiggly insects, scratchy grass, and bobbly boulders.