Where did all the raccoons go?
This project was selected for exhibition at Dongdaemun Design Plaza (DDP) as part of the SK Green Happiness Design Exhibition. Inspired by the Studio Ghibli film Pom Poko, it reinterprets the story from the raccoons' perspective, reflecting on themes of urbanization and environmental loss.
The first page introduces the storyline of Pom Poko through a series of key quotes from the animation. Each quote is condensed into a short keyword, and when users hover over a keyword, it expands into a detailed dialogue box providing more context.
This page depicts modern-day Tokyo, layered over with development-related quotes from Pom Poko. Users can move their cursor across the image to search for raccoons hidden within the cityscape, blending the story's themes of urbanization and displacement with playful interaction.
In this final section, users can "release" raccoons by stamping them onto the rural scenery of Tokyo before urban development. After a few seconds, the raccoons gradually fade, leaving behind only silhouettes — a quiet reflection of how urban development leads to the disappearance of nature.
Working on this project taught me the power of combining visual storytelling with interactive design. I learned how to use simple interactions to deliver emotional narratives, and how even small user experiences can create meaningful connections with the audience.