Experience Design
Whispers of Amélie
Location: Germany
Year: 2025
Skill: Unity · Blender · After Effects · Interactive Prototyping · 3D Asset Creation · Motion Design · Narrative & Experience Design · Research & Concept Development
About the project:
Whispers of Amélie was my first university project as a Master’s student in Expanded Media (Extended Reality). Developed in a group of five, the project reimagined the whimsical and poetic world of Jean-Pierre Jeunet’s Amélie into an immersive interactive narrative.
The goal was to capture the film’s intimate, surreal mood and translate it into an experience that audiences could actively participate in. Everyday objects became symbolic touchpoints, guiding players through fragmented memories and emotional moments. Through research-heavy conceptual development, we translated cinematic storytelling into an interactive journey centered on intimacy, invisibility, and quiet impact.
Whispers of Amélie was my first university project as a Master’s student in Expanded Media (Extended Reality). Developed in a group of five, the project reimagined the whimsical and poetic world of Jean-Pierre Jeunet’s Amélie into an immersive interactive narrative.
The goal was to capture the film’s intimate, surreal mood and translate it into an experience that audiences could actively participate in. Everyday objects became symbolic touchpoints, guiding players through fragmented memories and emotional moments. Through research-heavy conceptual development, we translated cinematic storytelling into an interactive journey centered on intimacy, invisibility, and quiet impact.
My Role:
I contributed conceptual input by shaping symbolic interactions and narrative flow, while also developing the Unity prototype with interactive sequences, puzzles, and cinematic triggers. In addition, I scripted, designed, and animated both the conceptual trailer and the closing summary video in After Effects, establishing a cohesive visual language. To support presentations, I created visual communication materials that connected the research, process, and outcomes into a clear and compelling narrative.
I contributed conceptual input by shaping symbolic interactions and narrative flow, while also developing the Unity prototype with interactive sequences, puzzles, and cinematic triggers. In addition, I scripted, designed, and animated both the conceptual trailer and the closing summary video in After Effects, establishing a cohesive visual language. To support presentations, I created visual communication materials that connected the research, process, and outcomes into a clear and compelling narrative.
Trailer
To introduce the project, I scripted and animated a 1-minute conceptual trailer. Inspired by Amélie’s end title sequence, the trailer used collage, paper textures, and red thread motifs to create a poetic, handmade feel.
The narrative unfolded in seven symbolic chapters—from The Ripple to Call to Action—mirroring the visitor journey of the installation. Through carefully scripted text, storyboarded visuals, and layered transitions, the trailer positioned the audience not as passive spectators but as invisible protagonists, gently shaping Amélie’s story.
The creative process involved:
- Writing the narrative script and emotional arc.
- Scripting symbolic visual assets (Parisian motifs, paper cutouts, textures).
- Animating handcrafted transitions and overlays in After Effects.
Prototype
To explore the interactive potential of the concept, I built a Windows-based prototype in Unity that translated our symbolic design into playable sequences. The prototype functioned as a 3D interactive tour, where users engaged with narrative fragments through exploration, object manipulation, and multimedia triggers.
I developed two complete interactive rooms:
- Room 2: The Hidden Map
Users encounter a giant 3D map of Paris and Nino’s photo album. By dragging and matching photos to landmarks with red string, players unlock a hidden video clip of Nino’s childhood. Completing a torn photo puzzle triggers a cinematic moment of him running toward Amélie’s door, before Philomene appears to remind the player Amélie still needs help facing her fears. - Room 3: The Memory Sanctuary
Initially blocked by Amélie’s father, the player gains entry by offering polaroids collected earlier. Inside, they reconstruct a broken golden fish scattered across the room. Once placed in a tank, the fish unlocks a heartfelt video monologue of Amélie’s fears. A secret box then reveals two halves of a broken heart—rejoining them triggers a short film of Amélie and Nino’s kiss, unlocking the final door back to the café.
The prototype demonstrated how symbolic puzzles, cinematic moments, and emotional storytelling could merge in XR, creating a layered, participatory homage to the film.
Summary Video
For the final presentation, I created a closing video that summarized the project and reinforced its emotional themes. Using the same handcrafted collage aesthetic as the trailer, the summary slowed the pacing and emphasized reflection.
Text prompts such as “Will you be the quiet hero?” and “Not all heroes are visible” appeared on screen, inviting introspection and shifting the focus from observation to participation. By reusing symbolic assets in new arrangements, the video tied the project together while leaving the audience with a poetic call to action.
This piece marked the transition from concept to invitation, encapsulating the project’s core message: small, invisible gestures can have lasting impacts.
