)
A tree that comes to life with your energy
Challenge
Every year, Eindhoven comes alive with GLOW, a celebrated light art festival that transforms the city into an open-air gallery of light installations. Artists and designers from around the world showcase their creations, attracting thousands of visitors to this unique spectacle.
Creating art that connects people might sound simple, but the reality is far more complex. In a world where disconnection is common, ASML challenged us to design something extraordinary—an artwork that didn’t just stand out but truly brought people together. It had to inspire collaboration, unite individuals, and spark moments of shared wonder.
Departments
Play timelapse
01. Brief
Design an interactive installation that transforms individual inputs into a shared experience. Three sensors - three personalities - each with their own role: one to control speed, one for colour, and one for intensity. The result had to feel alive, a reflection of individuality and unity blending into one grand display.
)
)
02. Designer insights
“It’s really nice to make something interactive, but it also has to be nice
for the viewers that are standing around it. For the people interacting with the tree it’s nice to see the tree changing, but for the crowd watching it also needs to be a nice picture, even if they’re not controlling it. We always need to think about that when we design an art piece.”
- Marijn Vos
)
03. Concept
We set out for a tree that bridges art, technology and human connection.
An excellent/exceptional design allows for an organic shape that spans eight meters without additional supports.
Connected to its roots are three sensors: one controls speed, another intensity and the third colour. Each input is run through TouchDesigner and then individually mapped onto the 1500 lights that form the tree. And when three individuals come together, something magical happens.
The tree glows brighter, transforming into a living symphony of light and unity.
Every five minutes the tree pauses for a moment and reveals a preprogrammed show, randomly selected from a range of epic themes.
After 30 seconds it returns to being fully controled by the sensors, prompting people to put their phones back into their pockets and explore their creativity.
)
04. Results
)
)
)
)
)
)