San Jose, CA, October 22, 2015 — The Davey Awards, an international competition that honors the achievements of smaller agencies, today recognized Array Interactive’s experiential design work performed on behalf of the National Japanese American Historical Society (NJAHS).  Array designed and developed an interactive installation exclusively for the NJAHS’s San Francisco museum to educate visitors about the contributions of Japanese American, Military Intelligence Soldiers during World War II.  The interactive installation was one of twelve “Best in Show” recipients among the 4,000 agency entries.

The NJAHS sought Array’s help to conceive an interactive museum experience that would transport visitors to the 1940’s and set the stage for exploration and learning.  Content had to be carefully designed to maintain historical accuracy while visually appealing to younger audiences who are not necessarily drawn to the subject.  “Array Interactive was able to create an engaging interactive exhibit utilizing content from a variety of formats on a dauntingly vast and complex subject – the contributions of Japanese American MIS soldiers during WWII. Given the project’s extremely strict time and budget constraints, we were impressed by the team’s speed, efficiency, and dedication,” said Max Nihei, Collection Manager with the NJAHS.

“We are tremendously proud of the work and for being recognized by the Davey’s judging panel made up of our peers at the Academy of Interactive and Visual Arts,” said Jeff Dumo, Partner and CEO at Array Interactive. “Prior to starting the project, we were unaware of the enormous contributions of Japanese Americans during WWII. As we studied the subject more extensively, we were immediately struck by the courage and loyalty of these men—even when their families were being sent to internment camps. To have the opportunity to immortalize these heroes, to tell there stories, and to help future generations understand how their sacrifices ensured their modern day freedom was important.  We’re very honored to have collaborated with the NJAHS.” 

The interactive installation can be seen at the organization’s historic museum at 640 Mason, Presidio of San Francisco.  The building is the actual site where MIS soldiers were trained prior to being deployed across the South Pacific.

About the National Japanese American Historical Society

The National Japanese American Historical Society (NJAHS), founded in 1980, incorporated in 1981 is a non-profit membership organization dedicated to the collection, preservation, authentic interpretation, and sharing of historical information of the Japanese American experience for the diverse broader national and global community.

About the Davey Awards – www.daveyawards.com

The Davey Awards exclusively honor the “Davids” of creativity, the finest small agencies, firms and companies worldwide. David defeated the giant Goliath with a big idea and a little rock – the sort of thing small agencies do each year. The annual International Davey Awards honors the achievements of the “Creative Davids”, who derive their strength from big ideas rather than big budgets.