Tate Modern had a 20 foot multi-touch screen, and an idea to bring to life. The gallery was home to a painted, static timeline of the artists and movements held in the collection - a popular feature, but inherently difficult to update or alter. Creating an interactive, modern version of the same timeline was the driving force, allowing us significant scope to work out how best it could function - and how beautiful it could look.

The new and improved timeline allows Tate Modern to update their collection freely, as and when they acquire more pieces.

Custom built using C++, it rotates through a selection of curated artists, movements and highlighted images from the Tate Modern’s collection spanning from 1900 to the present. The huge amount of data held within the installation allows visitors to truly explore, using the tactile touchscreens to dig deeper into the collection than previously allowed.

The artworks, artists and movements fall dynamically into view within the timeline in chronological order. Viewers then touch the screens to interact with the content. Once the viewer has selected an artwork, they are offered a portal detailing additional information about the piece, the artist, and related artworks - some of which include short videos. If the piece is currently housed in the on-site collection the timeline will also provide directions to it. The timeline can open five interactive portals at once, though the wider graphic displays create a centre point around which a greater audience is able to view, learn and explore.