Client
Google / It's Nice That
Location
Baltic Centre for Contemporary Art
Client
Google / It's Nice That
Location
Baltic Centre for Contemporary Art
Project Details
Real-Time Data Visualisation for Google’s SP-AN Event
NOVAK was approached by It’s Nice That to curate a collaborative creative team for Google’s SP-AN event, a showcase of Newcastle–Gateshead’s thriving creative tech scene. The project aimed to highlight the North East’s deep-rooted connection to progressive design and cutting-edge technologies, celebrating its legacy of innovation and digital artistry. Working alongside It’s Nice That, the Urban Observatory, Ed Carter, Tim Shaw, and James Rutherford, NOVAK created a real-time data visualisation installation, transforming live-streamed environmental data into dynamic visual and sonic interpretations. The artwork displayed NO₂ (Nitrogen Dioxide), NO (Nitric Oxide), and sound levels across Newcastle-Gateshead, reflecting shifts in air quality and urban soundscapes in real time, providing an ever-evolving, immersive experience.
Project Details
Real-Time Data Visualisation for Google’s SP-AN Event
NOVAK was approached by It’s Nice That to curate a collaborative creative team for Google’s SP-AN event, a showcase of Newcastle–Gateshead’s thriving creative tech scene. The project aimed to highlight the North East’s deep-rooted connection to progressive design and cutting-edge technologies, celebrating its legacy of innovation and digital artistry. Working alongside It’s Nice That, the Urban Observatory, Ed Carter, Tim Shaw, and James Rutherford, NOVAK created a real-time data visualisation installation, transforming live-streamed environmental data into dynamic visual and sonic interpretations. The artwork displayed NO₂ (Nitrogen Dioxide), NO (Nitric Oxide), and sound levels across Newcastle-Gateshead, reflecting shifts in air quality and urban soundscapes in real time, providing an ever-evolving, immersive experience.
The Brief
Showcasing Data as Art at a Global Event
The goal was to create a visually compelling and interactive installation that transformed complex environmental data into an engaging, real-time artistic experience. The piece needed to be: Scientifically accurate – using live data from the Urban Observatory, the UK’s largest urban sensing programme. Visually striking – ensuring the artistic representation of the data was both informative and aesthetically captivating. Sonically immersive – integrating sound design to reflect the changing air quality and noise levels in an audible format.
The Brief
Showcasing Data as Art at a Global Event
The goal was to create a visually compelling and interactive installation that transformed complex environmental data into an engaging, real-time artistic experience. The piece needed to be: Scientifically accurate – using live data from the Urban Observatory, the UK’s largest urban sensing programme. Visually striking – ensuring the artistic representation of the data was both informative and aesthetically captivating. Sonically immersive – integrating sound design to reflect the changing air quality and noise levels in an audible format.
Our Response
A Live-Generated Audio-Visual Installation
NOVAK and collaborators developed an interactive, real-time visualisation that transformed invisible environmental data into vivid, ever-changing digital artwork. Using a live feed from the Urban Observatory, the piece interpreted fluctuating NO₂, NO, and sound levels, dynamically altering color, shape, and movement in response to the real-time urban environment. The sonic element, led by Ed Carter and Tim Shaw, translated shifting air quality data into a layered soundscape, allowing audiences to hear the impact of environmental changes.
Our Response
A Live-Generated Audio-Visual Installation
NOVAK and collaborators developed an interactive, real-time visualisation that transformed invisible environmental data into vivid, ever-changing digital artwork. Using a live feed from the Urban Observatory, the piece interpreted fluctuating NO₂, NO, and sound levels, dynamically altering color, shape, and movement in response to the real-time urban environment. The sonic element, led by Ed Carter and Tim Shaw, translated shifting air quality data into a layered soundscape, allowing audiences to hear the impact of environmental changes.
'We tried to take it as far as we could away from pie charts and line graphs. We wanted to make a piece of art, something that would capture people’s attention and get the data in front of a new audience.'
Adam Finlay
Studio Director of NOVAK
Credits
www.itsnicethat.com/features/newcastle-gateshead-googlespan-event-241017
design.google/library/revealing-invisible/
design.google/span2017/newcastle-gateshead/
novak.uk/
urbanobservatory.ac.uk/
Audio data interpretation by
edcarter.net/
tim-shaw.net/
Workshop engagement by
creativenucleus.com/
Event Concept by
itsnicethat.com/features/google-span-newcastle-gateshead-workshop-event-140917
Credits
www.itsnicethat.com/features/newcastle-gateshead-googlespan-event-241017
design.google/library/revealing-invisible/
design.google/span2017/newcastle-gateshead/
novak.uk/
urbanobservatory.ac.uk/
Audio data interpretation by
edcarter.net/
tim-shaw.net/
Workshop engagement by
creativenucleus.com/
Event Concept by
itsnicethat.com/features/google-span-newcastle-gateshead-workshop-event-140917
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