Railway workers in high-visibility clothing and helmets stand under a bridge while one talks on a phone

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.

Network Rail - training film - Floating Harbour Bristol

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.