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Clare and Mark on turning spaces into experiential moments

By Cosmic Carrot

Directors, Cosmic Carrot

The minds behind Cosmic Carrot share their insight into creating stories that you can’t take your eyes off.

Throughout the UK, and across the world, Cosmic Carrot have helped use digital media to tell stories, with immersive projections in unexpected places.

Visitors have experienced their work when visiting landmark locations like the Royal Hospital Chelsea, the National History Museum and even our very own Sea City Museum.

As technology continues to change at a rapid pace, Clare and Mark (Cosmic Carrot’s creative duo) are looking to create even more extraordinary installations and immerse audiences in moments that transport them through centuries and millennia.

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Fresh from a Media degree at Birmingham University, Clare went straight into the media industry, with her first task being to film the Crown Jewels (no pressure…)

After taking a year out to teach English as a foreign language, she came back to London and worked in multiple companies over a number of years. During this time, she forayed into visual effects and won an Emmy for her work on the HBO series Rome.

Meanwhile, Mark was working in design, with a special interest in moving image. Starting with fashion magazines, he then moved into TV, working on programmes across the BBC and Channel 4 and moving up to Creative Director level.

With Mark spending a lot of time in the Middle East, and Clare looking to consolidate her freelance career, they decided in 2013 to marry up their careers into Cosmic Carrot.

"We came up with the name over a bottle of wine in a pub in Soho. Clare’s red hair, and Mark’s interest in space – Cosmic Carrot felt like the perfect, quirky name for what we wanted to do!"

Working as a partnership, Mark is the lead creative, and Clare is the producer and project manager. Their ideas are formed together, and every project is the brainchild of the Cosmic Carrot team.

Most commonly, they work directly from a client brief or an exhibition designer. The process starts by defining the space they’re working with, developing themes, storyboarding the idea and then working with a team from their talented creative network to bring it to life.

Found all over the world, their work is primarily within the museum and heritage industries, working on installations for the Royal Hospital Chelsea, Natural History Museum and Winchester’s 878AD, to name just a few.

Every project is unique in terms of size, scale and storyline. But immersion, excitement and storytelling are guaranteed with every project. One project in Kuwait saw Clare and Mark oversee 40 different exhibits and projections on the scale of huge buildings, delivered over 18 months. Another, at the Gozo Citadella in Malta, 15 projects, a full surround visual experience presented in an old Victorian water tower.

"We love it because every project is different, in fact every day can be different as we work across such a diverse range of subjects. For a short time you’re an expert in something and move on and learn something new"

Cosmic Carrot’s future looks like more production, with a focus on providing consultancy services too.

It’s a small niche industry they’re a part of – everyone knows everyone, but Clare and Mark want to be bold about what they offer, and bring something new to the table.

They intend to spend the next 5-10 years building on their legacy, ensuring they go out with a bang, embracing emerging tech like AR, XR and utilising them to tell better stories that audiences remember.

"We’re in the experiential industry, and we want more people to enjoy it – as the world changes, it’s getting more important to engage people. Our work can be a part of that, and make it fun."

Spark a conversation

Being nestled between a beach and the forest is no accident. Clare and Mark love being out in nature when work allows, taking trips down to Cornwall to soak up the sea air and rugged coastlines. Clare is also a member of Romsey Hockey Club.

The best piece of business advice that’s helped Clare and Mark

“Always work with a smile and don’t be too pragmatic – projects, like life, can take unexpected courses.- Clare

“Don’t give up – it’s hard to get into some industries, as we learned in our early days. But hard work and experience can get you there.” – Mark

Discover more of their secrets of success