Moment Factory, a multidisciplinary entertainment studio with 25 years of expertise in creating immersive experiences, and international nonprofit National Geographic Society debuted the results of a multi-year collaboration at the National Geographic Museum of Exploration on 26 June.
Representing the most significant campus expansion in The Society's history, the new museum features a series of Moment Factory experiences, including a nightly outdoor experience, Wonders of Our World: Ocean; an interactive educational hub, Geoverse; and a new touring exhibition, Photo Ark: Animals of Earth.
Partnering to realise the Society’s vision for a public destination that awakens the explorer in every visitor, the studio ensured that each of these experiences reflects and advances the nonprofit’s commitment to science, innovation, education, and storytelling, which drive positive change.
“Moment Factory has continually shown the utmost respect and care for our history and mission, while finding creative new ways to bring the work of our Explorers to life," says Emily Dunham, chief campus & experiences officer at the National Geographic Society.
"Whether plunging audiences into oceanic depths or inviting them into desert landscapes, they’ve succeeded in channeling the wonder that our Explorers encounter in the field into a series of impactful experiences that inspire awe and appreciation for our world and those working to protect it."
Wonders of Our World: Ocean
The Society enlisted Moment Factory to transform the museum’s Courtyard with an immersive, ocean-themed experience that carries the museum’s sense of wonder into the evening.
Drawing on its expertise in large-scale nighttime spectacles, the studio created Wonders of Our World: Ocean, a 360-degree orchestration of video projections, dynamic lighting, spatialised sound, and a bold orchestral score that envelops audiences in the ocean’s power, depth, and biodiversity.
National Geographic Museum Of Exploration, Wonders Of Our World: OceanMoment Factory
The 17-minute experience features footage captured by National Geographic Explorers, layered with custom visual effects that extend its textures, colours, and movements.
The approach enables fluid transitions and heightened emotional impact while preserving the integrity of the original footage, demonstrating how an institution's pre-existing assets can be creatively and respectfully reimagined for new audiences.
Moment Factory worked closely with the museum’s architects to transform the building’s facade into a floor-to-ceiling projection surface, using large-scale smart-glass technology. Paired with an interior screen and floor projections, the setup creates an innovative multi-layered megacanvas.
Geoverse
As part of the National Geographic Learning Launchpad, the museum’s dedicated hub for hands-on education, Moment Factory developed the Geoverse, a flexible, feature-rich space featuring a 270-degree projection surface, an interactive floor, and spatialised audio.
The Geoverse opened to the public with two experiences designed to transport audiences of all ages into diverse landscapes and engage them in geographic inquiry.
National Geographic Museum Of Exploration, Geoverse “A Day in the Desert”Moment Factory
Geography in Action is a seven-minute immersive show that brings students into the field alongside National Geographic Explorers as they tackle real-world issues. A Day in the Desert is an interactive experience that invites children to explore the plant and animal life of Australia’s Great Victoria Desert through curiosity-led gameplay.
In line with the institution’s commitment to inclusivity and accessibility, Moment Factory conducted user-experience testing with target age groups, implemented bilingual closed captioning, and integrated an American Sign Language (ASL) video guide.
Photo Ark: Animals of Earth
The Museum of Exploration inaugurated its Exhibition Gallery with Photo Ark: Animals of Earth, an immersive, multi-room touring exhibition marking 20 years of National Geographic Explorer Joel Sartore’s ongoing mission to document every species in human care.
The world premiere at the museum features an experience developed by Moment Factory, with more than 1,000 of Photo Ark’s portraits presented in immersive formats designed to inspire viewers to help protect at-risk species from extinction.
Photo Ark: Animals of EarthMoment Factory
“To me, Animals of Earth is more than an exhibition — it’s an opportunity to use this groundbreaking interactive technology to bring visitors face to face with all of the wonderful species that I have had the pleasure to photograph from around the globe," says Joel Sartore, National Geographic Explorer and founder of the Photo Ark.
"The extensive collection of multimedia in this exhibit also serves as a testament to the species diversity on our planet that we must work together to protect."
Supporting the mission
Moment Factory’s creative and technical range is on full display at the Museum of Exploration, where it worked closely to ensure that each experience met the museum’s educational goals and rigorous standards for scientific accuracy.
Marc-André Baril, global executive director at Moment Factory, says: “It is a privilege to partner with the National Geographic Society, whose trust in our innovation and creativity empowers us to push the boundaries of immersive storytelling to illuminate the wonder of our world.
"At Moment Factory, we share this mission by creating collective experiences that spark curiosity and inspire new generations to learn, connect, and explore our planet.
Building on recent projects at the Natural History Museum Abu Dhabi, the Milken Center, and Mandai Wildlife Reserve, this development at the National Geographic Museum highlights Moment Factory’s role as a trusted partner and creative collaborator as cultural institutions seek new ways to engage contemporary audiences.
