We are passionate about making quality interactive work & believe that all children have “the right to art and culture.”
Makers of Imaginary Worlds was founded in 2019 by Roma Patel, with Rachel Ramchurn as co-founder. Roma, a scenographer and digital artist, was inspired by the impact of interactive theatre and installations on her young daughter’s sense of agency. This led her to begin a PhD in 2014, exploring how to integrate digital technologies in the design of interactive play spaces for young children. Rachel, whose background is in sculpture and community arts, joined Roma in bringing this vision to life. .
Our company’s name, Makers of Imaginary Worlds, was inspired by a quote from Kieran Egan:
“The young child as a ‘Maker’ of imaginary worlds is a kind of poet and is in command of considerable intellectual resources, developed and exercised by such imaginative world.”
— Children’s Minds, Talking Rabbits and Clockwork Oranges: Essays on Education.
This idea embodies our belief in the power of imagination and creative play in shaping a child’s development.
We believe in the power of play for both adults and children and the importance of creating memorable moments that spark joy and inspire creativity.
Our Team
Since our inception, we have cultivated a talented creative team of local Nottingham based artists and makers who share a passion for crafting high-quality work.. Our team brings together a diverse range of expertise, including theatre, dance, acting, craft, visual arts, carpentry, sculpture, immersive technology, music and sound.
At MOIW, we are dedicated to delivering innovative and immersive experiences that captivate young audiences and adults, spark curiosity, and inspire creativity. By blending traditional artistic disciplines with cutting-edge technology, we create dynamic, hands-on environments that encourage exploration, storytelling, and interactive play.
Our commitment to sustainability, quality and artistic integrity ensures that every experience we design is engaging, meaningful, and thoughtfully crafted. Whether through immersive theatre, interactive installations, or multidisciplinary workshops, our goal is to foster wonder and imagination, in every child we reach.
Sustainability at the Core: Material Choices
At the heart of our practise is a commitment to selecting the right materials for every project, ensuring our creative work is both innovative and environmentally responsible.
We prioritise eco-friendly materials, embracing traditional and sustainable crafting methods to minimise waste and reduce our environmental footprint. Our approach includes:
Using Natural & Sustainable Fibers – We incorporate wool as a primary material, utilising traditional felting techniques that require minimal processing and no harmful chemicals.
Repurposing & Upcycling – We breathe new life into discarded textiles by reusing fabric sourced from scrap stores, reducing waste while adding unique textures and histories to our creations.
Recycling Plastic Waste – Whenever possible, we incorporate recycled plastics, transforming discarded materials into functional and artistic elements. We work with Future Makers Studio, that specialises in plastic recycling.
Sourcing Certified Sustainable Wood – We ensure that any wood used in our projects is ethically sourced and certified, supporting responsible forestry practices.
By integrating these sustainable practices into our design and production processes, we continue to priories environmentally conscious art, proving that creativity and sustainability can go hand in hand.
Interactive Art Through Collaboration
MOIW is dedicated to pushing the boundaries of interactive art, forging impactful collaborations that blend traditional creativity with cutting-edge digital experiences.
Our work with Lakeside Arts, the Mixed Reality Lab, and Cobot Maker Space at the University of Nottingham has allowed us to explore new frontiers in robotics and immersive technology.
Partnering with Theatre Hullabaloo, we craft sensory-rich experiences for young audiences, while collaborations with Nottingham Libraries bring interactive storytelling and play into community spaces. Additionally, our involvement in the Festival of Making showcases our innovative approach to hands-on, immersive experiences within the wider cultural landscape.
Depending on the project, we embrace a co-design approach, ensuring that the voices and ideas of participants, communities, and stakeholders are at the heart of the creative process. By fostering collaboration and shared ownership, we create meaningful, inclusive, and impactful experiences that resonate with diverse audiences.
Join us on a whimsical journey where the possibilities are endless and the adventures are always waiting to unfold. Welcome to our world of imagination, where dreams come to life and the extraordinary becomes reality.
HOME: Zero-Created By Makers Of Imaginary Worlds and commissioned by Nesta and National Gallery X (The National Gallery and King’s College London. (On tour 2024-26 )
