Designing immersive storytelling, public art & digital interpretation programs since 2011
Studio ESEM is Sarah Barns and Michael Killalea. Since 2011, we’ve been crafting immersive storytelling programs that invite connections with places and habitats as platforms for multi-sensory journeys of exploration and discovery.
Our work is guided by the potentials of digital interpretation, creativity and storytelling to enliven connections between people and places.
As Co-Directors, we lead multi-disciplinary teams best suited to the requirements of each project. With diverse career experience — from urban research, digital production & strategy, public history, visual and communication design and installation media — we bring a depth and breadth of experience to each of our projects.
Our work relies on strong and often long-lasting partnerships: with First Nations knowledge custodians, cultural institutions, local governments, universities and community organisations.
We do this work because we believe creative places and connected communities are essential to building resilient futures.
Our projects are designed not only to inform, but to inspire action, curiosity and collective imagination.
Sarah and Michael in 2024. We started collaborating in 2011 and quite enjoyed ourselves,so we kept going!
Practice Domains
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We work with partners and clients to craft meaningful and impactful storytelling programs for impact. From here, we decide on the format and approach, whether experiential, video, online or offline.
In a world flooded with data and information, the value of effective storytelling, engaging both the heart and the head, can’t be under-estimated.
We believe understanding and measuring impact is vital. We work with our partners to align storytelling strategy with impact for the benefit of our purpose-driven partners and clinets.
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We’re experienced in the delivery of cross-platform public art installations that create multi-sensory spaces for community gathering, activations and creative learning.
This work engages our skills in projection and lighting design, immersive media and community engagement.
We love creating immersive spaces and experiences that connect diverse disciplines, technologies, creative practices to invite wonder and curiosity towards our magical, fragile, and always-changing world.
Example projects: Superorganism: Listening to the Anthropocene, STORYBOX Places, and more
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We design and deliver digital heritage & interpretation programs that enliven connections to the history of a place.
We're a research-led practice, drawing on many years' experience working across content creation and strategy, public history, interpretation design, public engagement and storytelling.
We take on ambitious research briefs, and design interpretation and storytelling programs that allow complex ideas to connect with audiences in new ways.
We also collaborate widely to share stories about people and place, working with First Nations storytellers, schools, community groups, local arts and heritage groups and local councils
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The team deliver audio-visual services across technical design and delivery as well as technical strategy to maximise the value and impact of experiential installations in outdoor environments.
Our in-house infrastructure supports digital projections, sound installations, custom immersive displays and more. All our technical solutions are designed to be robust and resilient to withstand harsh Australian environments, from heat to storms and everything in between.
We also offer technical design services to clients seeking advice on audio-visual requirements for temporary or permanent displays and installations.
Clients include Sydney Metro, Museums of History, Bathurst Regional Council, the Australian Museum and more.
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We deliver digital and art production services across museums and galleries, retail, hospitality and events. This work includes large scale prints and public murals, permanent and temporary video displays and more.
Co-Director Michael Killalea occasionally draws on his past life as director of boutique design firm killanoodle to support new brands and communications services.
Different perspectives on people & places informs our approach to designing storytelling and interpretation programs.
The Story
So Far
Since 2011, Sarah and Michael have led a mix of self-driven creative programs, arts commissions and client-driven services. Across each domain we collaborate with communities, artists, technical designers and cultural partners to expand the potentials of digital storytelling for placemaking and urban transformation projects.
Learn more about our story.
Clients & Partners
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Barangaroo Delivery Authority
CBRE Group
GML Heritage
GPT Group
Hassell
Lendlease
Mirvac
TKD Architects
Paul Kelly Design
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Art Centre of Christchurch
Australian Museum
Australian National Maritime Museum
National Gallery of Australia
State Library of NSW
Sydney Living Museum
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Bathurst Regional Council
City of Sydney
Clarence Valley Council
Inner West Council
Liverpool City Council
Newcastle City Council
Port Macquarie-Hastings Council
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Australian National University
RMIT University
University of New South Wales
Western Sydney University
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Arts SA
CSIRO
Data 61
Enterprise Connect
Government Architect NSW
Transport for NSW
Awards
Winner, Digital Interpretation Award for 2025 Interpretation Australia Awards
Finalist, Australian Museums and Art Galleries Association Awards 2024 for Birds of Australia STORYBOX
NSW Heritage Award: Exhibitions, Tours & Events for Building Bridges Projection Project (Clarence Valley Council) 2023
Digital Placemaking Commendation for STORYBOX Parramatta. Asia Pacific Place Leaders Awards, 2021
International Public Art Award Finalist, Asia Pacific Region (Last Drinks) 2014
The Team
DR. SARAH BARNS
CO-FOUNDER & STRATEGIST
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MICHAEL KILLALEA
CO-FOUNDER & DIRECTOR
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Leif is an experienced on-site production manager who leads all ESEM’s outdoor installations and programs. Leif and his production team have successfully delivered over 40 complex public programs for ESEM spanning large scale projections, temporary and touring event programs.
April is a UX and digital designer who is passionate about creating user-centred, engaging products and experiences.
Currently pursuing a Master’s in Information Technology majoring in Artificial Intelligence, she’s deeply interested in research and using design and technology to solve real-world problems.
Michael is a multi-media artist and designer who works across a range of mediums spanning video art, painting, print and magazine design, illustration, art production, digital and experiential design. Michael leads Studio ESEM’s production and installation teams.
Sarah is a strategist, writer, researcher and consultant working at the intersection of technology futures, regenerative urbanism and creative strategy. Sarah is also currently a senior research fellow at RMIT’s Centre for Urban Research. Her research profile can be viewed here.
APRIL SHAO
DIGITAL DESIGNER
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LEIF WILSON
TECHNICAL DIRECTOR
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Our Collaborators
Photography and Videography: We work with a network of diverse creative practitioners to support our programs.
First Nations Creative Collaborators: Travis de Vries (Awesome Black), Brendan Blacklock (Blacklock Media)
Video Editor: Jessie Hildebrand
Sound Production & Composition: Pete Hird, Nigel Cruikshank, Todd Brownlow
Photography: Past and present collaborators include TOBIAS ROWLES (Sam I Am Management), ROY WEILAND, DAVID ARNOLD, ALAN RICHARDSON, WADED, DAVID MANDELBERG, TIM LEVY
Creative Producers: Omee Deling, Victoria Johnstone, James Schultz