Tactile Studio
Tactile Studio is a French inclusive design agency that designs and manufactures multisensory installations — tactile models, sensory stations, interactive orientation maps, and accessibility kits — for museums, cultural heritage sites, and world events, serving clients including the Louvre, Louvre Abu Dhabi, MUCEM, MNAC, and Expo 2020 Dubai.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2009
- HeadquartersParis, France
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What Tactile Studio does
Tactile Studio is a French inclusive design agency that designs, prototypes, manufactures, and installs multisensory installations for museums, cultural heritage sites, and world events. Founded in 2009 and headquartered in Pantin (Paris), France, the firm operates as a subsidiary of the Okeenea Group, alongside sister organization Atelier WAM for production and MUXXE for research and visitor studies. Its portfolio includes sensory stations, tactile 3D-printed models, RFID-enabled hybrid interactive models, interactive orientation maps with adjustable lighting, multisensory kits (notably a La Monnaie de Paris Alzheimer's kit awarded the Art Explora prize), inclusive wayfinding systems, and full exhibition scenography. The company serves cultural institutions across Europe, the Middle East, and North America, with marquee clients including the Louvre, Louvre Abu Dhabi, MUCEM, MNAC Barcelona, Staatliches Museum für Naturkunde Karlsruhe, and Expo 2020 Dubai, and operates from offices in France, Germany, and the United States (New York, opened May 2024).
The company's technology stack combines large-scale 3D printing, CNC machining, laser cutting, relief and full-color printing, and hand-finishing, all performed in-house to control quality and robustness. Its products support multiple sensory modalities (touch, sight, hearing, smell) and multilingual output (English, French, German, Arabic, Spanish, Catalan, plus multilingual and Arabic Braille), with adaptations for wheelchair accessibility and adjustable lighting for visually impaired users. Notable technical components include the RFID-based hybrid model at Château d'Anet with color-coded cards triggering LED lighting, the height-adjustable touchscreen 3D orientation table at Parc de la Villette, and the 14 tactile stations at Louvre Abu Dhabi covering 3,000 BCE to present-day cultural achievements.
Tactile Studio operates a bespoke project-based professional services revenue model, contracting directly with museums and cultural institutions for custom design, prototyping, user testing with disability communities, manufacturing, and installation. Pricing is custom-negotiated per project; multi-year integrations (e.g., MUCEM's 5-year sensory device deployment) provide some recurring revenue visibility. Distribution is direct field sales, supported by industry events such as the AAM Annual Meeting & Expo and SITEM, and no resellers or intermediaries are used. The company targets four primary segments — museums and cultural institutions (primary), world events and public spaces, healthcare and social care, and urban public spaces — with geographic coverage across France, Germany, USA, Canada, UAE, and Spain.
Tactile Studio firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Tactile Studio
- Legal name
- Tactile Studio
- Website
- https://tactilestudio.co
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2009
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Tactile Studio is a French inclusive design agency that designs and manufactures multisensory installations — tactile models, sensory stations, interactive orientation maps, and accessibility kits — for museums, cultural heritage sites, and world events, serving clients including the Louvre, Louvre Abu Dhabi, MUCEM, MNAC, and Expo 2020 Dubai.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Tactile Studio industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Museum Accessibility Design Services
- NAICS
- Interior Design Services (541410), Graphic Design Services (54143)
- SIC
- Services-Mailing, Reproduction, Commercial Art & Photography (7330)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Accessibility & Special Needs Equipment (Assistive Devices, Adaptive Furniture, Sensory Rooms) (EDAEAIAM)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Accessible & Alternative Format Materials (Braille, Large Print, Audio, Tactile Graphics) (EDAGAMAD), Vision Assistive Technology (Screen Readers, Braille, Magnification) (EDAKAIAF), Special Education & Accessibility-Optimized Media (UDL, AAC, Captioning) (EDAGALAH), Inclusive Classroom Environment & Sensory-Friendly Design Support (EDAKABAJ)
Keywords
Where Tactile Studio is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Paris
- HQ country
- France
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices3 records
Markets served
Tactile Studio business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Design and Production of Inclusive Museum Installations: Tactile Studio designs, prototypes, tests, and manufactures inclusive multisensory devices for museums and cultural institutions. Production is fully in-house using large-scale 3D printing, CNC machining, laser cutting, and relief and full-color printing, with hand-finishing. Revenue appears project-based, contracted per institution.
- Sensory Mediation Tools and Educational Kits: Design and delivery of multisensory educational kits (e.g., the La Monnaie de Paris memory kit for Alzheimer's patients) and sensory mediation tools, sold as bespoke or series-produced items to partner institutions.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Other | Multi-year contract | Custom project-based pricing |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels2 records
Marketing channels9 records
Tactile Studio product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Tactile Studio is an inclusive design agency that designs, prototypes, tests, and manufactures multisensory installations for museums and cultural institutions. The company produces tactile 3D models, sensory stations, RFID-enabled interactive models, interactive orientation tables, Braille and multilingual signage, audio descriptions, and portable multisensory educational kits — combining physical prototyping (large-scale 3D printing, CNC machining, laser cutting, relief printing) with digital interactives to make art and cultural heritage accessible to visitors with visual, auditory, or cognitive disabilities.
Product overview
Tactile Studio operates as a specialized inclusive design agency offering an integrated portfolio of products and services for museums and cultural institutions. The core offerings center on Sensory Stations and Tactile Models for hands-on exploration, complemented by Interactive Orientation Maps for wayfinding, Multisensory Kits for outreach programs, and Hybrid RFID Interactive Models combining physical and digital elements. Supporting services include Inclusive Scenography Design and Wayfinding Systems. The company maintains full in-house production capabilities including large-scale 3D printing, CNC machining, laser cutting, and relief printing, with hand-finishing for all pieces. Notable projects span global institutions including the Louvre Abu Dhabi, Expo 2020 Dubai (42 sensory stations), MNAC Barcelona, and State Museum of Natural History Karlsruhe.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Sensory Stations Multisensory inclusive stations that allow visitors to explore architecture, exhibitions, and cultural content through touch, sight, hearing, and smell. Deployed at Expo 2020 Dubai (42 units across Opportunity, Mobility, and Sustainability pavilions) and other major cultural venues; supports multilingual text, Braille, and interactive focal points. Target buyer: museums, world expos, and cultural institutions seeking inclusive mediation devices.
- Tactile Models Ultra high-definition 3D printed tactile reproductions of artworks, buildings, and objects with direct tone prints and ultra-matt finishes, enabling visually impaired visitors to explore cultural heritage through touch. Includes 14 tactile stations at Louvre Abu Dhabi spanning works from 3000 BCE to present day in Arabic, French, English, Braille, and Arabic Braille. Target buyer: museums and cultural institutions.
- Interactive Orientation Maps Next-generation 3D orientation tables with integrated touchscreens that help visitors navigate cultural sites independently. Features illuminated trail paths, adjustable light intensity for visually impaired users, and height-adjustable design for wheelchair accessibility. Deployed at Parc de la Villette and other cultural venues. Target buyer: museums, parks, and cultural campuses.
- Multisensory Kits Portable educational kits with 5 trays containing 9 games (memory game, bingo, timeline, puzzle, treasure hunt, coloring activities, construction game, olfactory memory game, blind test) and adaptive difficulty for users with cognitive impairments. Delivered to 10 partner nursing homes (EHPADs) and recognized with the Art Explora award. Target buyer: cultural institutions running outreach programs, nursing homes, and social-care providers.
- Hybrid RFID Interactive Models Interactive physical 3D models using RFID technology where 25 color-coded physical cards placed on the model surface trigger LED lighting that illuminates specific rooms and areas of historical sites. Enables inclusive exploration of architectural and historical subjects. Target buyer: châteaux, historic monuments, and cultural heritage sites.
- Inclusive Wayfinding Systems Comprehensive signage systems including tactile maps, high-contrast signage, podotactile (tactile flooring) guidance paths, and orientation plans designed to make cultural spaces accessible to visitors with visual impairments. Deployed across Louvre, Strasbourg Zoological Museum, and other venues. Target buyer: cultural institutions, parks, and public cultural infrastructure.
- Inclusive Scenography Design Consulting and design services for creating accessible exhibition layouts incorporating multisensory elements, interactive devices, and inclusive design principles for cultural institutions. Example: 700m² (Un)Common Sense inclusive exhibition at State Museum of Natural History Karlsruhe. Target buyer: museums, temporary exhibitions, and cultural heritage projects.
Quantifiable outcome
- Louvre Abu Dhabi accessibility project served over 1.5 million visitors within one year
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use Tactile Studio
Customer profileNamed customers22 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Tactile Studio technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature6 records
Tactile Studio partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
19 partnerships are on record, tiered flagship, core and minor.
- Omnisens Group (8-agency consortium)flagshipTactile Studio is part of Omnisens — a group of 8 agencies with specialist expertise in inclusion, created for the SOLIDEO project to develop a multi-sensory inclusive signage system for the Paris 2024 Olympic Athletes' Village.
- Atelier WAMcoreTactile Studio's sister organisation within the Okeenea Group. Atelier WAM serves as the production workshop, manufacturing tactile objects and interactive devices. Listed as production partner on Expo 2020 Dubai and other major projects.
- Agence France MuseumscoreStrategic partner on Louvre Abu Dhabi accessibility projects, working alongside Louvre Abu Dhabi on the overall accessibility strategy and implementation.
- Interface HandicapminorAssistance à maîtrise d'ouvrage (AMO) partner on Louvre Abu Dhabi project, providing accessibility consulting expertise.
- Valentin Haüy AssociationminorTester and accessibility expert partner for Louvre Abu Dhabi project, providing user testing feedback from blind and visually-impaired individuals.
- Groupe SOSminorPartner providing dementia/Alzheimer's disease expertise for the development of the multisensory memory kit for La Monnaie de Paris.
- Maison Nationale des ArtistesminorPartner nursing home providing user testing feedback from residents to improve and validate the multisensory memory kit's games.
- Hecho (furniture)minorFurniture partner for the Von Sinnen exhibition at State Museum of Natural History Karlsruhe.
- ProasurcorePartner in the multidisciplinary renovation project for the Strasbourg Zoological Museum inclusive space (8,300m²).
- LythoscorePartner in the multidisciplinary renovation project for the Strasbourg Zoological Museum inclusive space.
- Musée du Quai Branly – Jacques ChiracflagshipPartner museum in the 'Photographs: An Early Album of the World' exhibition at Louvre Abu Dhabi, along with Agence France-Muséums.
- Nicolas Loriette (assistant AMO)minorAssistant to the project owner for the Château d'Anet interactive inclusive project.
- Laurence Chabot (muséographe)minorMuseum expert contributing to the design of the Château d'Anet Renaissance interpretation centre.
- Arnaud Jeuland (scénographe)minorScenographer for the Château d'Anet project.
- Stéphane Rébillon (graphiste et illustrateur)minorGraphic designer and illustrator for the Château d'Anet project.
- XP lab – Nantes UniversitéminorUser testing facility at Nantes University where Tactile Studio conducted prototype testing with 6 testers from Ocens institute for MUCEM sensory device project.
- OcensminorPublic institute providing testers (6 participants) for user testing of MUCEM prototype sensory devices at XP lab, Nantes Université.
- Vanessa Ewert (set design)minorSet designer for the Von Sinnen exhibition at State Museum of Natural History Karlsruhe.
- Okeenea Group (parent company)flagshipTactile Studio is part of the Okeenea Group, a company committed to making inclusion a reality worldwide. Okeenea also provides a navigation guidance app used in Tactile Studio's exhibitions.
Scale indicators12 records
Recent moves7 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Tactile Studio competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Mather & Co: UK-based exhibit and experience design agency specializing in museum and visitor center projects. Comparable boutique agency model delivering custom museum exhibits and interactive experiences to cultural institutions globally.
- Ideum: US company designing and manufacturing interactive exhibits, multitouch tables, and accessible museum installations. Closely comparable on combining in-house fabrication with accessible exhibit delivery for cultural institutions.
- C&G Partners: New York-based design firm specializing in branding, wayfinding, and exhibit design for cultural institutions, transit, and public spaces. Comparable on wayfinding systems, signage design, and museum/cultural clientele, including ADA-relevant work.
- Local Projects: US-based experience design firm building interactive, technology-driven exhibits and installations for museums and cultural institutions. Directly comparable on integration of physical fabrication with digital/interactive layers, though less focused specifically on accessibility.
- Tellart: Experience design studio that designs and fabricates interactive installations and exhibits for museums, brands, and cultural venues. Comparable on custom physical+digital exhibit work for cultural clients and the studio-agency operating model.
- Atelier Brückner: Stuttgart-based exhibition design studio specializing in scenography and narrative spatial design for museums and science centers. Closely comparable in size, vertical focus (museums/cultural institutions), and emphasis on integrated multisensory experience design.
Broad incumbents
- Ralph Appelbaum Associates: Long-established global leader in museum and cultural exhibition master planning and design, with major projects across the US, UK, Middle East and Asia. Comparable customer base (Louvre, MNAC-style institutions) but a much broader generalist portfolio versus Tactile Studio's accessibility specialization.
Emerging players
- Dada Studios: Boutique exhibition design and fabrication studio serving museums and cultural venues in the US, often combining physical exhibits with digital interactives. Comparable on the boutique studio model and museum vertical focus.
- IHCD (Institute for Human Centered Design): US nonprofit focused on inclusive design, accessibility consulting, and exhibition accessibility. Touches the same customer base (museums seeking inclusive experiences) from the consulting rather than fabrication side; cited by Tactile Studio's own leadership as a peer organization.
Regional players
- Projektile: Munich-based scenography studio producing exhibition and spatial design for European cultural institutions. Comparable in services (exhibition design, scenography for museums) but operates primarily in the German-speaking market rather than globally.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat6 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Tactile Studio social profiles
Digital presenceTactile Studio financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Tactile Studio leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles2 records
Tactile Studio subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries2 records
Tactile Studio funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Tactile Studio M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Tactile Studio
What does Tactile Studio do?
Tactile Studio is an inclusive design agency that designs, prototypes, tests, and manufactures multisensory installations for museums and cultural institutions. The company produces tactile 3D models, sensory stations, RFID-enabled interactive models, interactive orientation tables, Braille and multilingual signage, audio descriptions, and portable multisensory educational kits — combining physical prototyping (large-scale 3D printing, CNC machining, laser cutting, relief printing) with digital interactives to make art and cultural heritage accessible to visitors with visual, auditory, or cognitive disabilities.
Is Tactile Studio a public or private company?
Tactile Studio is a private company. It is classified as corporate owned and is currently operating.
When was Tactile Studio founded?
Tactile Studio was founded in 2009. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Tactile Studio based?
Tactile Studio is headquartered in Paris, France, in the Europe region.
How does Tactile Studio make money?
Two revenue lines are on record. Design and Production of Inclusive Museum Installations are the primary driver. The others are sensory Mediation Tools and Educational Kits.
Who are Tactile Studio's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Mather & Co, Ideum, C&G Partners, Local Projects, Tellart and Atelier Brückner. Ralph Appelbaum Associates is listed as a broad incumbent. Emerging players are Dada Studios and IHCD (Institute for Human Centered Design). Projektile is listed as a regional player.
Does Tactile Studio have an API?
No public API is recorded for Tactile Studio.
What industry is Tactile Studio in?
Tactile Studio's product category is Museum Accessibility Design Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is EDAEAIAM, Accessibility & Special Needs Equipment (Assistive Devices, Adaptive Furniture, Sensory Rooms), with a secondary code of EDAGAMAD, Accessible & Alternative Format Materials (Braille, Large Print, Audio, Tactile Graphics). Its NAICS code is 541410 and its SIC code is 7330.