The interactive design project When We Come Together is developed by a team of fourth-year Global Business and Digital Arts (GBDA) students from the University of Waterloo. The project originated in the class GBDA 412: Design Cultures and Interactive Media, taught by course director David Han, where students explored how storytelling and interactive media can merge to create meaningful cultural experiences. 

 

As part of the course, each student created a pitch deck inspired by the Indigenous 13 Grandmother Moons stories. These stories emphasize cycle of renewal, community and connection which inspired students for their projects. After presenting their concepts, students voted on the ideas they felt held the most potential to be developed further. From this process, nine projects were selected to move forward and be showcased at the Lights On Stratford Festival with When We Come Together, originally created by Jasmine Hu, as one of the selected projects. 
 

Following the selection, our team came together to bring Jasmine's concept to life by transforming it from an idea to a fully functioning interactive installation. Through collaboration, research, and experimentation, we continue to learn how to blend design, technology, and storytelling to create an experience that celebrates connection and shared learning.

 

As we continue to develop the final installation, our goal is to create a space where festival visitors can engage with the teachings that inspired the project. When We Come Together represents not only our growth as designers, but also our collective effort to honour Indigenous stories through meaningful interactive design.