Web design case study

I Would Be Here If I Could

Website design, website build, technical advice

The Client

Devised by artist Alison Larkman, I Would Be Here If I Could is the largest collaborative art project in the UK, aiming to amplify the absence of people living with ME/CFS and Long COVID. As a large mirrored box tours the country, it brings with it audio messages from those who are, due to their condition, no longer able visit the places they love. Visitors are invited to stand inside the box, become invisible to the outside world for a moment, and listen to the contributor’s story.

The Brief

When Alison approached me with news of her latest project I couldn’t wait to get involved. I Would Be Here If I Could needed a website to promote the project but more importantly, it was to feature an interactive map – an engaging way for visitors to discover and listen to the audio messages left by participants. It was important that the very personal and often moving messages that people have left be heard by as many people as possible, not just those who are able to step inside the mirror box in person.

This project would demand an extraordinarily level of sensitivity. The website would need to carefully consider the accessibility needs of the project’s contributors, but also be engaging and attractive to visitors, potential supporters and corporate partners.

What I Did

I have been involved with I Would Be Here If I Could since the conceptual stage. Acting as Technical Director, I work closely with Alison to advise on where technology and the internet can play a part in the project overall.

I developed a bespoke WordPress theme and customisations to the content management system to facilitate the hosting and organisation of dozens of participants’ audio messages, along with their associated metadata and transcripts. Utilising Mapbox’s GL JS API and the Wavesurfer JS audio library, I created an interactive map where visitors can discover and listen to messages from across the UK.

I also used the Stripe payment gateway to implement a donation mechanism for those wanting to support the project financially.

What’s Next

I’m currently working with Alison as we plan for the upcoming tour, when the mirror box will make its way around the country, visiting some of the locations that the participants have shared stories about.

Inside the box, visitors will interact with a bespoke tablet web app I’m developing to listen to the messages, read the transcript and find out more about the project. We’re also exploring ways that QR codes and NFC technology can be used to leave the message behind after the mirror box itself has moved on from the location.

We’ll also be re-open message submissions to new participants. Since the initial round of submissions closed, the project has received interest from people living with ME/CFS and Long COVID all over the world, wanting to leave a message of their own.

Andrew is a great person to work with as he thinks around projects from all angles. I love working with people who come to you with solutions and options. It adds energy to what can be at times tricky and heavy problems to solve. He is a great communicator, works at a good pace and keeps you informed along the way.

I will be working with Andrew on many future projects!

Alison Larkman
I Would Be Here If I Could