Network Rail
Interactive Training - UX design, high impact drama and Motion Graphics
Revolutionising Network Rail’s Leader Training through Interactive Business Simulation
Floating Harbour was commissioned to transform two flagship leadership training workshops for Network Rail. Working alongside partners Fuel Learning and Impromptu, our mission was to overhaul the traditional paper-based format and create an immersive, media-rich interactive business simulation delivered via iPad and web applications.
The challenge was to take two complex narratives, one involving a fictitious infrastructure build for a global event and the other a catastrophic rail incident, and bring them to life with cinematic realism and a seamless digital user experience.
A Digital-First Approach to Learning
Our primary goal was to "uplift" the training media, removing the logistical burden from facilitators so they could focus on high-value learning outcomes. We achieved this by:
Bespoke Web Application & UX: We developed a slick, intuitive web app that disseminated all scenario information, removing all paper from the exercise.
Multichannel Storytelling: We brought the scenarios to life using a suite of custom-produced films, radio broadcasts, mock websites, and animations.
Optimised Logistics: By digitising the workflow, we minimised the need for on-site people management, making the staffing requirements significantly more efficient.
High-Impact Cinematic Storytelling
At the core of the digital experience was a suite of ultra-realistic media assets designed to mirror the high-pressure reality of the railway industry. We didn't just provide information; we brought scenarios to life using professional drama, high-end filming techniques, and specialist actors.
By producing cinematic sequences that simulated high-stakes incidents, ranging from infrastructure builds to catastrophic rail emergencies, we provided delegates with a visceral, high-impact experience. These realistic assets allowed participants to feel the weight of their decisions in real-time. Whether through "live" news broadcasts or intense character-driven interactions, our films bridged the gap between a training room and the frontline, ensuring the simulation was as authentic as it was engaging.
Bespoke Motion Graphics and Graphic Design
Bespoke Motion Graphics: Bridging the Gap Between Film and Reality
While our cinematic drama provided the human stakes, our motion graphics and graphic design provided the technical backbone of the simulation. We used high-end animation to bring to life complex concepts, data, and infrastructure scenarios that simply could not be filmed, whether due to safety restrictions on live tracks or the need to visualise abstract data.
These motion graphics weren't just standalone assets; they ran coherently throughout the entire programme, acting as a "visual glue" that tied the films, the app UI, and the learning materials together. By maintaining a consistent, sophisticated design language across every digital touchpoint, we ensured the simulation felt like one seamless, immersive world. This visual coherence allowed delegates to transition smoothly between different stages of the exercise, keeping the focus entirely on high-level decision-making and learning outcomes.
This film is part of our training and learning film and animation and motion graphics work. See all the films we make.
Read the transcript
We're getting some breaking news in now of a major accident near the village of Lower Maldon in Westeshire. There has been a train derailment. The program will be delivered via iPads that will be supplied to you. Information and instructions will provide you all you need to continue through the program.
To navigate through the program, press the forwards train icon. If you want to go back at any time, press the back train icon. This icon here is for when there is additional information available on a particular task. When this is the case, the icon will go orange and a one will be visible.
When you have read through this information, just click the cross in the top right corner to close the window and return to the current page. So, we said we'd have a big conversation about the Cotswold extension ahead of the program board later this week. We did. So, I'll cut to the chase.
The decision has been taken to approve the extension. I see. Starting from London Paddington and pausing at connecting stations along the route, the 1833 line will provide you with the fastest, smoothest and most luxurious journey. Each carriage will be fitted out to showcase participating countries, with decoration and food reflecting each country's cultural themes.
Yeah, I looked up how much the tickets are going to cost for the matches. Yeah, they're saying they're going to go for between 100 and 650 quid each. 650 quid! Even afford that!
Donnie, what are you doing back here? I told you to go secure the home. Don't it! Well, don't leave it.
It's a live cable. Get back out there. Lauren, any chance you can go out with him and make sure the sights say... Are you kidding me?
Well, I need to speak to Steve. Yeah, Steve. I'm standing here in a cordoned off area, about 100 metres away from the incident. They've killed me cows, they've trashed me fence, right?
And they're trying to blame it all on me. Absolutely not, no. I need to keep this road clear, OK? There's been a major incident.
There's a residence. No, if there's a residence, it doesn't matter, OK? They need to find somewhere else to stay tonight or wait until it's over. Excuse me, madam, could you just step away from the train?
Yeah, can I just phone my mum first? Just take a second. OK. Our transport correspondent, Sarah Peters, is on the scene.
Sarah, what can you tell us? Thank you, Philip. I'm here just outside Tolly Bridge, and as you can see, the railway line just behind me, where trains usually go through about every four minutes. Today, however, the track is empty in silence.
I didn't know, it just all happened really quickly, Mum. It's all I was going to do.
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