The article explores The WAYBACK Project, a creative business using virtual reality to help people with dementia relive familiar moments from the past. The project blends storytelling, film, and design to create immersive experiences that spark conversation and connection.
From a business perspective, it’s a strong example of how a creative idea can grow into a meaningful enterprise. The team identified a social need, memory loss and isolation, and applied creative skills to solve it in an accessible way. Their use of crowdfunding showed how community support can help launch a project with social purpose, while keeping costs low with simple VR headsets made it inclusive and scalable.
The WAYBACK Project proves that creative businesses can have both impact and audience appeal, combining emotional value with practical design. It’s a reminder that innovation often begins with empathy and a clear understanding of people’s needs.
Viewing Notes — The WAYBACK Project: Coronation Day 1953 (YouTube)
This short film recreates a 1953 street party through virtual reality, inviting people living with dementia to relive familiar moments from the past. It’s part of The WAYBACK Project, which turns nostalgia and technology into a meaningful experience.
From a creative business perspective, it shows how a simple but powerful concept can evolve into a social enterprise. The team identified a shared cultural memory and transformed it into a product that offers both emotional and practical value. By focusing on accessibility, using affordable VR headsets and smartphones, they made the idea scalable and inclusive.
The project highlights how storytelling can become the foundation of a business, especially when it connects with people on a personal level. It proves that creative ventures can thrive when they balance innovation, empathy, and purpose.
Reading Notes — Design Council: Step 6 – Measure Your Success (2015)
This article explains how businesses can evaluate the success of a design project once it’s complete. It encourages clear goal-setting from the start so that outcomes, like improved sales, stronger branding, or smoother operations, can be properly measured.
From a creative business perspective, it highlights that design should always be viewed as an investment, not just a creative output. Success can be measured in many ways: project delivery, customer response, company growth, or even how a team’s thinking evolves. The article reminds creative entrepreneurs to reflect on what worked, what didn’t, and how the process could improve next time.
It’s a useful framework for anyone building a creative business because it shows that creativity and strategy must work together. Measuring impact doesn’t limit creativity, it helps prove its value and shape future opportunities.