Katapult, the international guest experience design agency, has partnered with The Lego Group and Merlin Entertainments to celebrate the 15th anniversary of Lego Ninjago with pop-up exhibition spaces at Legoland parks across the globe.
The interactive exhibit, which debuted at Legoland Windsor, Legoland Deutschland, Legoland Korea, and Legoland Shanghai, brought Lego Ninjago to life through storytelling and hands-on activities for visitors of all ages.
A turnkey solution for international audiences
In partnership with The Lego Group and Merlin Entertainments, Katapult provided a full turnkey production solution, managing the project from concept and design development to fabrication, installation, and commissioning.
The interactive Ninjago museum was created to honour the history and evolution of the popular franchise. Each museum unit was custom-designed for its installation site, reflecting the Ninjago world's unique visual aesthetic.
Visitors were invited to explore early character concept sketches, pivotal moments from the TV series and movies, and the wider Ninjago universe through a range of engaging interactive components, including flip panels, push-button quizzes, and tactile exhibits that tested their knowledge of Ninjago.
To round out the visit, guests could take part in an activity to create and take home their own Lego Ninjago mask.
Annie Tang, senior marketing manager for China and APAC at Lego Parks and Experiences, says: "We continue to enjoy collaborating with the Katapult team to deliver new experiences in our Legoland Resorts worldwide.
As long-term design partners, they both understand and excel at creating experiences where only the best is good enough."
"The opportunity to, once again, collaborate with Merlin and Lego allowed us to blend storytelling, interactivity and immersive design to celebrate this beloved LEGO franchise globally," says Ben Millerman, project producer for Katapult.
"It’s always a joy to see guests enjoying our work and being able to showcase their love of Ninjago."
The Ninjago museum featured interactive components including flip panels, push-button quizzes, and tactile exhibits.Photo courtesy of The Lego Group and Merlin Entertainments
The project was made possible through a close partnership with numerous stakeholders at The Lego Group and Merlin Entertainments, with all teams collaborating to deliver success within a short lead time.
Katapult also sourced in-market suppliers capable of providing high-quality production solutions within the required timelines, ensuring flawless execution throughout the project.
Additionally, the agency assisted with the complex approvals and contracting processes and worked with local site teams to ensure that each installation was tailored to the operational and visitor needs of individual sites.
The Ninjago museum popups offered the opportunity to explore IP's wide ranging universe.
Photo courtesy of The Lego Group and Merlin Entertainments
An important focus throughout was the development of a forward-thinking modular base kit.
While this is centrally designed, it also works within local markets and can be easily reskinned and reused for different activations into the future.
With this project, Katapult further exemplifies its expertise in delivering scalable, engaging themed entertainment experiences for international brands and audiences.
Earlier this month, Katapult released a podcast episode charting its 25-year evolution from a small student startup in Derby, UK, into a globally recognised, B Corp-certified themed attraction design agency.
