Matchbox Momentos
Cultural Tech · PWA · Gamification · Google AI
The Challenge
Mumbai-based artist Harshit Agrawal, during his residency with Google Arts & Culture Lab, needed an interactive digital experience to showcase 342 rare Indian matchbox artworks from Gautam Hemmady's collection, the largest in India. The goal was to make cultural preservation playful and accessible to global audiences.
What we built
Built a PWA quiz game where users discover and collect up to 342 rare snapshots of India's cultural history across 19 themed journeys. Each board features 19 matchbox artworks to collect, including special edition collectibles created by Harshit Agrawal and generated with the help of Google AI. Built with React, Redux, 2D motion graphics, and social sharing.
Deep Dive
Why it was difficult
Creating an engaging gamification layer over a large cultural archive (342 artworks, 19 themes) while maintaining educational value and working within Google's platform constraints.
How design helped
Designed the collection and discovery UX that makes browsing 342 artworks feel like a treasure hunt. Each themed journey has its own visual identity while maintaining cohesion across the full experience.
How engineering helped
PWA architecture for offline access, React with Redux state management for collection tracking, 2D motion graphics for card reveals, and social sharing integration for community engagement.
Where AI helped
Google AI was used to generate special edition collectible matchbox artworks inspired by Gautam Hemmady's originals, blending traditional Indian matchbox art styles with generative AI.
Impact
Live on Google Arts & Culture. A collaboration between Google Arts & Culture Lab, Museum of Art & Photography, and Tasveer Ghar. Celebrates Indian nostalgia through 342 matchbox artworks across 19 themed journeys.
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