Multi sensory packages on a budget from Apollo Creative

Not only is money tight at the moment, but space can be also. Add those two together and the prospect of a multi sensory room can feel a very long way away indeed.

It's for this reason that we've got a number of sensory packages. Simple bits of equipment which when added together can give the multi sensory feel. Some are also designed to be movable so if suddenly your circumstances change, the equipment can adapt with you.

If you've only got a spare corner, one of the best ways to make the most of it is by using mirrors. Mirrors make any space feel bigger, and also enhance the effect of coloured lighting. Anyone can put together our Mirrored Bubble Tube Corner making it easy for you to do yourself, another cost saver.

No matter how big or small your space might be, there's always something that you can do with it. Get in touch with us to find out how we can help.

Ensemble drives the Young Enterprise Awards

Yesterday I went to the North Yorkshire Young Enterprise Awards in Harrogate. Just like 12 months ago I was in charge of lights, sounds, and videos, and controlled everything from a single Xbox controller.

This time, not only was there sound and light welcoming each team to the stage, but a 90-second introduction video with synchronised lighting.

There were some really professional presentations with some great products, and one of the companies even dressed in a chicken costume to attract attention!

Another great day, can't wait for next year.

News: London calls for Apollo Creative team

A set of bespoke bubble tubes designed and built at a Knaresborough technology park have been on display in one of the world’s most famous department stores.

They were created by the team of just three specialists at Apollo Creative, based on Manse Lane in Knaresborough, for the launch of a new Clarins product at Selfridges on Oxford Street in London.

Ben Johnson, product specialist at Apollo, said: “The bubble tubes are generally for sensory rooms, but we have also worked with shops and exhibition installations in the past.

“It was great to be invited to work with a prestigious brand like Clarins, especially in such an iconic department store.”

Apollo Creative was approached by design4retail on behalf of Clarins at the end of 2012, when the project was being planned. The design of the display area meant the bubble tubes needed to be twice as large as the standard design made by Apollo Creative and the related equipment, such as the lighting and the air pump, also had to be adapted to work properly with a larger installation.

“By the time the order came through, we only had about ten days to get everything ready to go,” said Ben. “Luckily, they had given us some of the fittings from the display so we could see how the tubes and all the related equipment could go together and make sure everything was perfect before it was sent down to London.”

The Clarins display has just been taken down after being in place for seven weeks, which Ben said was an unusually long time for a promotional installation. He hopes the work being on show in such a high-profile position for a long period will lead to similar projects in the future for the small but ambitious team at Apollo Creative.

Bespoke bubble tubes used for retail display in London

Bubble tubes used as a podium for product launch

Earlier this year, retail design specialists design4retail approached Apollo Creative hoping to incorporate extra wide bubble tubes for a retail display in Selfridges, London. The 400mm diameter bubble tubes were over twice as large as standard bubble tubes so certain modifications were needed, such as brighter LEDs and a more powerful air pump.

We worked closely with their design team, providing drawings and modifying the bubble tubes to accommodate the wishes of their client. The bubble tubes were used as a display podium, and a sticker was placed around the outside of the tube to fit the branding of the products.

News: Yorkshire firm aims to up its game

If you enjoy playing video games you’ll already be familiar with the satisfaction to be had from a slick move which defeats your enemy, wins you a race or scores a spectacular goal.

But imagine if that same controller or game pad had the power to change the environment around you – lighting, sound, image and video.

A small firm Yorkshire-based firm already has and, as a result, people with severe learning or physical disabilities have been able to enjoy control over their environment or the pleasure of playing music - simply by applying pressure on the buttons on a games console controller.

Frode playing the Xbox Controller

The familiar wireless Xbox controller is incorporated into Apollo Creative’s Ensemble technology which also employs other sensors, switches and pressure pads to trigger sounds or images linked to a theme of the user’s choosing.

“It could be outer space or the rainforest; a musical performance or interactive storytelling session; it really does depend on the images or sounds available as a resource,” said Apollo’s creative director Mark Hildred. “One of the advantages of the Ensemble software is that it’s adaptable and easy to change.”

Often young people with physical disabilities can be put-off by the specialist equipment which can appear to be too childish or emphasise their differences. However, the games controller comes with an inbuilt 'cool' factor, plus the fact that it’s often already familiar.

“We’ve seen youngsters master simple tunes with the controller – and derive a great deal of pleasure from it,” said Mr Hildred.

“I recently encountered a young man who had a very severe physical disability and only really had control over his head movement. With careful positioning of the controller he was able to play the joystick using his chin. In fact he was the best player we met that day, easily out performing the more able bodied performers.”

The Ensemble package has already helped the company reach the final of the ICT Special Educational Needs Solutions category at the British Educational Training & Technology (Bett) Awards in London at the end of the month (Jan 30 – Feb 1), and Mr Hildred has confirmed 2013 could see Apollo widening its appeal in the broader education sector.

“We primarily supply Ensemble equipment to the special needs market, but have a number of situations where it's used in mainstream settings including a pilot project to introduce nursery children to music,” said Mr Hildred.

“We’re hoping the Bett Show and awards in London gives us a platform to promote the concept. The audience will be representing education providers from around the globe so it’s a massive opportunity for us – and we need to make sure we grab it with both hands.

“If you’re serious about learning a musical instrument, then there’s no substitute for the real thing - but let’s say your objective is just to pique the interest of a class of children or to teach them the rudiments of music.

“Wouldn’t it be great if you could hand them something they’re probably already familiar with and associate with fun?”

News: Apollo Creative in line for national award

A Yorkshire company which designs and manufactures technology which allows children with disabilities to express themselves through movement has been named as a national finalist at a prestigious industry awards ceremony to be held next month.

Apollo Ensemble allows children with physical or learning difficulties to transform their body movements into sound, light, images and video and can be used for music-making, in sensory environments or for interactive story-telling.

Invented by Apollo Creative, based on Manse Lane in Knaresborough, the equipment has been shortlisted as a finalist in the ICT Special Educational Needs Solutions category of the British Educational Training & Technology Awards (Bett).

“The beauty of Apollo Ensemble is that it can be adapted for any user, no matter how limited their range of movement. It can be configured so that even the twitch of a finger can have significant audio or visual results,” explained creative director Mark Hildred.

“For schools working with children with a wide range of disabilities this is a real benefit. The system is portable too, so it can be taken wherever it’s needed.”

Apollo Creative has worked with establishments such as The Dales School at Morton-on-Swale, North Yorkshire, and KidsOut, a national charity which helps disadvantaged children.

Mr Hildred hopes the Bett Award nomination will help take Apollo Ensemble out to an even wider audience.

“Ensemble is really versatile – it can be integrated into classroom learning for group use or geared to an individual, which is why schools find it so useful,” he said. “We’re delighted the selection panel has recognised its advantage and have our fingers crossed for the final judging.”

The Bett Awards ceremony takes place on Wednesday, January 30, 2013 at the Grange Tower Bridge Hotel in London.

The Bett Awards are considered to be the most prestigious in the education sector, and are committed to celebrating a distinctive and diverse digital education resources market that meets the needs of the education system.

Event director with organisers i2i Events Group, Debbie French, said: “It is the quality of these products and services that helps to maintain the UK’s position as the leader in the use of technology in education.

“The specific nature of each individual child’s learning requirements means judging the products and services entered into the Bett Awards is possibly the most challenging of any award programme. This year we have been astounded by the levels of innovation in the judged products.”

Director of the British Educational Suppliers Association and chairman of the judging panel, Caroline Wright, added: “Despite schools now realising they do have strong available budgets, teachers are becoming more shrewd in assessing the aptness of products for their specific needs.

“Products therefore need to be of the highest standard to ensure that, aside from the initial purchase price, the total cost of ownership is low. This is what the judges have identified; products that offer the highest quality and are fit for purpose.

“These Bett Award finalists are certainly companies that schools can safely consider to be amongst the best available.”

The music plays on...

A slightly emptier control rack

It was a very sad today today as we were called in to rip out the interactive light and sound room at the Gordon Parry Centre in Leeds. Unfortunately the building has been condemned and the Centre, along with all the other arts tenants of the West Park Centre, were given just a few days to clear the site.

The room incorporated a lighting rig with various lighting effects; fixed sockets for wired sensors and switches; an effects unit and microphone; speakers; a PC with Apollo Ensemble; a large touch-screen monitor; black-out curtains; and a whole range of musical instruments.

Although the room equipment is now in storage, the Gordon Parry Centre's activities will continue.

• Music Therapy will be held at HEART, the Headingley community centre, until further notice.
• All three after school clubs will be rehoused at different venues, to be announced soon.
• Instruments from the instrument library will still be available by request.
• Bespoke projects will still be available to run in schools or other venues.

It is hoped that a new venue will be found in the new year and the equipment can be reinstalled. Until then the music keeps on playing with a more mobile offering.

Equipment awaiting shipping

You can read about the Gordon Parry Centre and see what the room looked like in our Customer Stories section of the Apollo Ensemble website.