Rapid AR prototype to fill gaps in zoo visitors’ learning experiences.
Rapid AR prototype to fill gaps in zoo visitors’ learning experiences.
Rapid AR prototype to fill gaps in zoo visitors’ learning experiences.
I led a 3-person student team to explore how mobile AR could help zoo visitors learn more—especially when animals are far, inactive, or absent. Over 6 weeks of part-time commitment, I proposed the challenge, managed the team, advised UX decisions, and independently built working Unity prototypes. This project earned faculty praise for pulling off a technical feat under tight constraints and was shown to junior cohorts as an exemplary product.
I led a 3-person student team to explore how mobile AR could help zoo visitors learn more—especially when animals are far, inactive, or absent. Over 6 weeks of part-time commitment, I proposed the challenge, managed the team, advised UX decisions, and independently built working Unity prototypes. This project earned faculty praise for pulling off a technical feat under tight constraints and was shown to jr. cohorts as an exemplary product.
I led a 3-person student team to explore how mobile AR could help zoo visitors learn more—especially when animals are far, inactive, or absent. Over 6 weeks of part-time commitment, I proposed the challenge, managed the team, advised UX decisions, and independently built working Unity prototypes. This project earned faculty praise for pulling off a technical feat under tight constraints and was shown to jr. cohorts as an exemplary product.
Role
UX Advisor
Unity Developer
Team Lead
Team
Jayne Leggatt (design)
Brendan Lazar (3D)
Supervisor
Michael Corrin
Duration
6 weeks (part-time)
Project
Student Project
Outcome
1 working Unity prototype
Tools
Figma, Unity, Blender, XCode, GitHub
Role
UX Advisor
Unity Developer
Team Lead
UX Advisor, Unity Developer, Team Lead
Team
Jayne Leggatt (design)
Brendan Lazar (3D)
Jayne Leggatt (design),
Brendan Lazar (3D)
Duration
6 weeks (part-time)
Outcome
1 working Unity prototype
Supervisor
Michael Corrin
Project
Student Project
Tools
Figma, Unity, Blender, XCode, GitHub
I pitched this challenge: At zoos, animals are often inactive, nocturnal, or too far to observe. This makes deeper learning difficult.
I pitched this challenge: At zoos, animals are often inactive, nocturnal, or too far to observe. This makes deeper learning difficult.
I pitched this challenge: At zoos, animals are often inactive, nocturnal, or too far to observe. This makes deeper learning difficult.
Could we use AR to supplement the physical exhibit — bringing animals closer and enhancing learning when real-life viewing falls short?
Could we use AR to supplement the physical exhibit — bringing animals closer and enhancing learning when real-life viewing falls short?
Could we use AR to supplement the physical exhibit — bringing animals closer and enhancing learning when real-life viewing falls short?
In addition to managing the project, I advised AR strategy, conducted testing, developed working Unity prototypes, and enhanced collaborative workflows.
In addition to managing the project, I advised AR strategy, conducted testing, developed working Unity prototypes, and enhanced collaborative workflows.
In addition to managing the project, I advised AR strategy, conducted testing, developed working Unity prototypes, and enhanced collaborative workflows.
AR Approach
I proposed marker-based AR to anchor virtual critters near the enclosure. This honours the physical zoo experience while ensuring task efficiency, and scale perception for users.
I proposed marker-based AR to anchor virtual critters near the enclosure. This honours the physical zoo experience while ensuring task efficiency, and scale perception for users.
I proposed marker-based AR to anchor virtual critters near the enclosure. This honours the physical zoo experience while ensuring task efficiency, and scale perception for users.
Marker-Based
Champions physical experience of marker-searching
Overcrowding near AR marker (okay for moderate traffic)
GPS-Location Based
Best suited for large-scale projects with fewer constraints
May distract from physical experience
Markerless/World Tracking
Flexible placement of critters
Requires manual catalogue search
Marker Requirements
AR Markers didn't have to be QR codes — just high-contrast, at least 300px, and free of repeating patterns. I shared this research insight with my team early on and we decided to use the chance to delight.
AR Markers didn't have to be QR codes — just high-contrast, at least 300px, and free of repeating patterns. I shared this research insight with my team early on and we decided to use the chance to delight.
Markers designed by Jayne Leggatt.
Comparative testing
To resolve an interaction debate, I built and tested two prototypes. Users unanimously favored the popup + scroll hybrid — offering two ways to access the same content — for its engagement.
To resolve an interaction debate, I built and tested two prototypes. Users unanimously favored the popup + scroll hybrid — offering two ways to access the same content — for its engagement.
“Having the scrollable list and the popups gave me options. It felt more natural and fun.”
Building pipelines
When we hit a wall importing animations into Unity, I organized a troubleshooting session where I set up GitHub-based pipeline that sped up subsequent asset iteration.
When we hit a wall importing animations into Unity, I organized a troubleshooting session where I set up GitHub-based pipeline that sped up subsequent asset iteration.
We earned faculty recognition for both technical and UX execution. The prototype was showcased to our junior peers as an exemplary project.
We earned faculty recognition for both technical and UX execution. The prototype was showcased to our junior peers as an exemplary project.
We earned faculty recognition for both technical and UX execution. The prototype was showcased to our junior peers as an exemplary project.
what I would do next
With more time and resources, I would build a complete product that can be offered to different zoos — expanding the user flow, information architecture, and more — while co-creating with domain experts and users.
With more time and resources, I would build a complete product that can be offered to different zoos — expanding the user flow, information architecture, and more — while co-creating with domain experts and users.
key learning
Honest, empathetic team communication made all the difference. Giving and receiving feedback with care helped us grow and deliver.
Honest, empathetic team communication made all the difference. Giving and receiving feedback with care helped us grow and deliver.
Designed with love by Remi.
Designed with love by Remi.
Designed with love by Remi.
Made with ☻ by Remi
Made with ☻ by Remi