In this series, we ask Imagination talent all about the experiences that have made them who they are. This month we spoke to Helen Bellringer, Digital Associate Creative Director at Imagination London.

A bit about me…

A multifaceted individual with several identities which include; mother to a two-year-old human and four-year-old dog, sci-fi book club member, open world gamer, experimental synth musician, flautist, doom metal connoisseur, lycra cyclist, yoga and pilates pretzel, vegan for the planet and the animals.

The creative experience that’s influenced me the most…

In 2016 I went to see Bjork Digital at Somerset House, where the artist had created a series of digital, interactive and immersive presentations of tracks in her new album, Vulnicura. I had been obsessed with Bjork since studying Creative Music Technology at the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama, and it was incredible to see her blending music and emerging technologies (like VR) to create a whole emotive album experience that invited visitors into her world, to tangibly connect with her digital self and her music.

My industry hero is…

Actually an arts collective; Marshmallow Laser Feast. Their work often explores the relationship between humans and nature, using cutting-edge techniques to create visually stunning and thought-provoking experiences. I went to the Saatchi Gallery to see ‘We Live in an Ocean of Air’ in 2018 and it’s still one of my benchmarks for storytelling with interactive technology and data.

The piece of work I’m most proud of…

During the pandemic, most brands had to pivot their communication strategy from in-person events to purely online, digital activations. I was lucky to have the opportunity to deliver such an experience to launch the lifesize scale model of the Lamborghini Sian FKP37, built entirely out of Lego Technic pieces.

The project was complex, with scenes built in Unreal engine and brand representatives shot in two separate green-screen shoots (in Billund, Denmark and Bologna, Italy), comped into the digital environment. The result was an interactive launch moment for media guests and a social teaser that garnered over 27 million views online.

The piece of work that makes me cringe…

Not so much a piece of work, but my first job in the industry was working as a runner at an audio-post-production studio in Soho where I had so many accidents with trays of drinks, that I earned the nickname ‘Spillsy’. Luckily I don’t have to make tea for a living any more!

The experience I wish I had created…

The Ryoji Ikeda exhibition at 180 the Strand; another sonic hero of mine that curated a series of sound installations of his work at an incredible venue. The exhibition featured pieces with visually striking components but drew attention to the often overlooked discipline of sound.

Advice to my 18-year-old self…

Technology will catch up with your ambitions, keep hacking, innovating and writing!

What’s next?

We’re hosting a series of events to celebrate innovation and creativity, called Spark Month; we have an artist called Reeps100 coming in to talk about his work with voice and AI and to curate a workshop with the creative team. I can’t wait to see what comes out of it!