Illustrating a World of Mystery for the First Children’s Detective Agency Escape Room
Case study
5 minutes read time.
Imagine: a room full of curious 10-year-olds, wide-eyed and bushy-tailed, ready to crack the criminal case. They are also locked in this room, with only one lost and confused concierge, who might or might not be able to help them. Not the plot of any Netflix series (though, someone should get on that), but the story of The First Children’s Detective Agency—the very first children’s escape room in Europe, tailor-made for kids aged 8-14.
And this wasn’t your run-of-the-mill “find the clue, open the door” escape room. It was an immersive, detective-themed wonderland where the likes of Poirot, Miss Marple, Sherlock Holmes & Watson, and even TinTin came to life through tenderly crafted illustrations. We didn’t have a Hollywood budget to create this classic detective story setting—but we did it anyway.
The Challenge: Creating a Detective World Without CGI
Our task was straightforward: design an experience so immersive that, from the moment those kids stepped into the room, they’d be transported into a world where they were the detectives. We didn’t just want to tell the story; we wanted them to live it. It really helped that we are all fans of good detective stories. We are also fans of escape rooms, but are at the same time annoyed when the rooms are sloppily designed.
The escape room was divided into three distinct spaces, each with its own aesthetic, but all connected by one thread: detail. No nook or cranny of the space we had available was left untouched. Every decorative piece, every illustration had to feel like a clue; every brushstroke needed to whisper, “Hey kid, you’ve got a mystery to solve.”
Illustrating the Greats: A Nod to Pop Culture’s Detective Legends
What is a detective-themed experience without a few legendary detectives to guide the way? Illustration-wise, we brought in the famous: Poirot, with his perfectly waxed mustache, Miss Marple, the sharpest old lady with a knitting needle, Sherlock Holmes & Watson, the ultimate detective duo, and the ever-dashing TinTin, who always knows his way around a good mystery. Each illustration was designed to feel alive, like you could almost hear Poirot pondering aloud, “Mon ami, have you considered the footprints on the floor?” (But, you know, in a French accent.) The visuals had to create that instant, mysterious alliance for the kids, so they didn’t feel like passive participants—they became part of this detective squad.
The Rooms: A Journey Through Mystery, Whimsy, and… Robots?
The experience unfolded across three distinct rooms, each with its own flavor:
Room One: The Detective’s Den
Think dark woods, leather armchairs, and a desk piled high with mysterious case files. Classic detective vibes. This was where the children first stepped into the role of “Junior Detectives.” The first thing they bumped into was an endless counter lined with drawers. Some opened, most of them didn’t. Figuring out if it was a trick or a mechanism? All part of the game.
Room Two: Wonderland Meets Mystery
After unlocking the passage to the second room, the children entered an entirely different world. The space was designed with an Alice-in-Wonderland vibe—bright, bold colors, playful details, and just a touch of weird. Instead of lights hanging from the ceiling, there were teacups and birdcages, casting strange shadows on the floor. Along one wall stood an enormous bookshelf, filled with odd bits and bobs—quirky items, trinkets, and strange artifacts. But was it really a bookshelf? This room was a nod to the surreal side of detective work, where mystery was layered with whimsy, and the rules of reality bent just a little.
Room Three: The Steampunk Lab
The final room was an industrial, steampunk-inspired detective’s den. Metal gears, a robot detective keeping a watchful eye on everything, and many mechanical puzzles. In one corner of the room stood an aquarium—or at least, it looked like one. This room was by far the toughest to crack, with its mechanical aesthetic adding a touch of science fiction to the mystery. The illustrations reflected this complex world—industrial and slightly futuristic.
The Design Philosophy: It’s All in the Details
We were meticulous from the very beginning. If we wanted our young audience to really buy into the experience, no detail could be overlooked. The rough texture of the steampunk walls, little papers with clues, the chips the kids could exchange for a clue tip from the concierge—every visual element had to tell a part of the story. We even designed the door handles to feel like part of the mystery. It was a true analog adventure—no phones, just imagination, problem-solving, and storytelling, brought to life through illustration.
A Passion Project
This was a deeply personal, passion-driven project. We combined our love for storytelling, design, and illustration with our love for escape games and detective stories. The Children’s Detective Agency grew up in the meantime and transformed itself, but the visual aspect of this project lives on. As a reminder of a time when Poirot, Miss Marple, and Sherlock Holmes banded together to help groups of kids crack the toughest cases in town.
Final Thoughts: The Power of Visual Storytelling
The First Children’s Detective Agency was a unique escape room that didn’t just rely on puzzles to entertain; it wove a rich, immersive story through its visuals. We still believe that if you’re about to create something, do it right. Visual storytelling has a magical power to immerse you in a world that, for a brief moment, feels entirely real. And good design … always tells a story.