Hogle Zoo Immersive Experience
We created a booklet handout that could increase the learning and entertainment of going to the zoo for young children. We wanted to see how we could help visitors maximize their experience and reinvent how people go to the zoo. We also looked into
how we could maximize visitor engagement and learning opportunities at the zoo. This is what we came up with.
Sketches and Outline
We sketched out the different immersive games that we wanted to create for each section of the zoo. We wanted games that helped the kids stay engaged with the zoo, while also getting the most out of it.
Moodboard and Inspiration
We couldn’t find any other zoo that has had examples of doing a concept like this.
We gathered inspiration from the Junior Ranger Program, National Geographic, and some children’s shows like Wild Kratts.
We used vibrant but neutral backgrounds with realistic animal cutouts on top to show accuracy and still show playfulness.
Booklet and game concept
After brainstorming, sketching, mapping out, and going to the zoo for research, we came up with a 12-page booklet that has f pictures and facts about each exhibit. It also has a QR code that leads to a simple game that helps the kids learn more and engage more with the zoo.
This is the first and last page of the booklet. The last page was designed to be handed out with stickers and to let the users put a sticker on the map everytime they get to a correlating exhibit.
How it Works
The booklet shows a QR code and when scanned like in the video, it takes you to the experience that is correlating with the page or exhibit. We thought this was a fun way to merge a physical experience with a tactile and immersive experience.
Giraffe Life Cycle and Primate Noises.
Each page shows a picture of an animal from the exhibit, shows where that exhibit is located in the world, and a fun fact about the exhibit. Then there is a short paragraph about the exhibit and the animals in it, with some lines bolded to allow the users who are in a hurry to be able to quickly skim over the text.
Feed the Gorilla and Rhino puzzle
The app allows the user to press bananas and it will feed the gorilla. The Rhino puzzle flips the puzzle pieces and put them in the correct spot to reveal a rhino and some fun facts abt the rhino exhibit.
Print Match and Flappy Seal Game
Some of the games that we built like these ones are for older kids and are a little more complex, while others are easier. The paw print match asks the user to match the prints to the type of animal. The seal game is like flappy bird but with a seal avoiding polar bears and icebergs.
Guess Who and Checklist
These simple games are designed to assist the user in enjoying the exhibit more. The Guess Who shows close up texture of different animals and flips to show what animal it is. The last game is for the small animals exhibit and allows the user to check of one of the animals when it finds it in the exhibit.
I learned a lot about target audiences and designing with a specific user in mind. I loved collaborating with my team and bouncing off ideas on how we can better understand who our users would be. We did a lot of research, and created something unlike anything else that we could find being implemented. We designed the booklet and experiences around the zoo to help enhance the zoo attendee’s experience. I learned how to think outside of the box and create design concepts that are informal and aesthetic.
Conclusion
Children get distracted and bored while at the zoo because the placks are made for adults to read.
Creating a immersive experience for children to enhance their experience while at the zoo.
-I learned a lot about target audiences and designing with a specific user in mind.
-I loved collaborating with my team and bouncing off ideas on how we can better understand who our users would be.
-We did a lot of research, and created something unlike anything else that we could find being implemented.
-We designed the booklet and experiences around the zoo to help enhance the zoo attendee’s experience.
-I learned how to think outside of the box and create design concepts that are informal and aesthetic.