AI-generated 3D models.

critter safARi | An app that augments every zoo visit to spark eco-empathy.

Amid an increasing need for ecological empathy, I thought about how we could cultivate compassion for nature by bringing the individuality and beauty of animals to the forefront. Surveying 6 potential users and conducting 4 user tests, this concept app envisions features including AR-based education and LLM-based route planning that enhances the zoo visiting experience and deepens connection with wildlife.

Role

Product Designer, Unity Developer, UX Researcher, Project Lead

Role

Product Designer, Unity Developer, UX Researcher, Project Lead

Role

Product Designer, Unity Developer, UX Researcher, Project Lead

Role

Product Designer, Unity Developer, UX Researcher, Project Lead

Duration

About 2 months

Duration

About 2 months

Duration

About 2 months

Duration

About 2 months

Project

Student Team Project → Personal Project

Project

Student Team Project → Personal Project

Project

Student Team Project → Personal Project

Project

Student Team Project → Personal Project

Tools

Collaborators

CYCLE 1

CYCLE 1 | Team Project

Team Project

Project Leadership

Unity Prototyping

A/B Test

I had noticed low critter visibility during a personal zoo visit with family. So I pitched AR as a product solution to my small M.Sc. class — catalyzing a team of 3.

Both of our [his and his little sister's] favourite animals were missing! We had waited forever for our visit.

- Primary Persona, Timmy the 12 Year-Old Zoo Enthusiast

I imagined that AR would bring animals up close, balancing the realities of zoo keeping with visitor engagement while also acting as a platform for wildlife education.

During our design process, I used A/B testing to show that users preferred more proximate interaction feedback.

Interaction A

Tapping circle button opens bottom sheet and scrolls to related text.

Interaction B

Tapping circle button opens pop-up.

Together, we delivered a prototype where users scan AR markers to reveal anatomically-accurate critters and access bite-sized learning.

In this process, I owned Unity prototyping and testing, project management, and platform research. Our output earned a high grade, received support from academic faculty and early testers, and was showcased to junior cohorts!

Cycle 1 Output | Functional Unity-Based Prototype;

Credits: J. Leggatt (UX/UI), B. Lazar (3D), R. Gao (Unity)

CYCLE 2

CYCLE 2 | Personal Project

Personal Project

User Research

Design Strategy

GenAI

Following our team’s success, I evolved the project with a product-thinking approach.

I conducted 6 user interviews which revealed an opportunity for an all-in-one app that simplifies route planning, deepens learning, and integrates social media features.

"Planning our path, navigating, and meeting every child’s needs is no small feat."

- Secondary Persona, Madeline the 38 Year-Old Mother of 3

"A picture on social media led me here." "More cool events for people my age?"

- Tertiary Persona, Celine the 21 Year-Old Student and Blogger

"My knees wish we took the shortest route possible." "… not enough conservation stories."

- Quaternary Persona, Mateo the 66 Year-Old Retired Business Owner

I distilled these user and business needs as a wireflow and conducted 3 lightweight think-aloud based usability tests.

Cycle 2 Wireframe

In this concept app, I incorporated features that serve users and zoos.

For users like Madeline and Mateo, I introduced an LLM-based route planning and navigation agent — offloading much of the cognitively strenuous process of wayfinding.

For all users, but especially our primary persona Timmy, I enhanced the AR feature — switching from marker-based AR to GPS-based AR which allows for more simultaneous viewers.

To help zoos thrive, I also imagined this as a consolidated app that partners with multiple zoos — helping to increase engagement and retention for all zoo partners.

For users like Madeline and Mateo, I introduced an LLM-based route planning and navigation agent — offloading much of the cognitively strenuous process of wayfinding.

For all users, but especially our primary persona Timmy, I enhanced the AR feature — switching from marker-based AR to GPS-based AR which allows for more simultaneous viewers.

To help zoos thrive, I also imagined this as a consolidated app that partners with multiple zoos — helping to increase engagement and retention for all zoo partners.

In this concept app, I incorporated features that serve users and zoos.

For users like Madeline and Mateo, I introduced an LLM-based route planning and navigation agent — offloading much of the cognitively strenuous process of wayfinding.

For all users, but especially our primary persona Timmy, I enhanced the AR feature — switching from marker-based AR to GPS-based AR which allows for more simultaneous viewers.

To help zoos thrive, I also imagined this as a consolidated app that partners with multiple zoos — helping to increase engagement and retention for all zoo partners.

In this concept app, I incorporated features that serve users and zoos.

For users like Madeline and Mateo, I introduced an LLM-based route planning and navigation agent — offloading much of the cognitively strenuous process of wayfinding.

For all users, but especially our primary persona Timmy, I enhanced the AR feature — switching from marker-based AR to GPS-based AR which allows for more simultaneous viewers.

To help zoos thrive, I also imagined this as a consolidated app that partners with multiple zoos — helping to increase engagement and retention for all zoo partners.

In this concept app, I incorporated features that serve users and zoos.

For users like Madeline and Mateo, I introduced an LLM-based route planning and navigation agent — offloading much of the cognitively strenuous process of wayfinding.

For all users, but especially our primary persona Timmy, I enhanced the AR feature — switching from marker-based AR to GPS-based AR which allows for more simultaneous viewers.

To help zoos thrive, I also imagined this as a consolidated app that partners with multiple zoos — helping to increase engagement and retention for all zoo partners.

Testing drove improvements in task speed and product strategy.

Wireframe

Final

Based on user feedback, I gamified the experience by featuring AR critters as seasonal collectibles rather than a permanent cast.

Users revealed that social media shareables that include selfies could better engage digitally-native users like Celine.

Feedback led me to speed up tasks for users by simplifying the route selection screen from a carousel to a one-page list.

Based on user feedback, I gamified the experience by featuring AR critters as seasonal collectibles rather than a permanent cast.

Users revealed that social media shareables that include selfies could better engage digitally-native users like Celine.

Feedback led me to speed up tasks for users by simplifying the route selection screen from a carousel to a one-page list.

Testing drove improvements in task speed and product strategy.

Based on user feedback, I gamified the experience by featuring AR critters as seasonal collectibles rather than a permanent cast.

Users revealed that social media shareables that include selfies could better engage digitally-native users like Celine.

Feedback led me to speed up tasks for users by simplifying the route selection screen from a carousel to a one-page list.

Testing drove improvements in task speed and product strategy.

Based on user feedback, I gamified the experience by featuring AR critters as seasonal collectibles rather than a permanent cast.

Users revealed that social media shareables that include selfies could better engage digitally-native users like Celine.

Feedback led me to speed up tasks for users by simplifying the route selection screen from a carousel to a one-page list.

Testing drove improvements in task speed and product strategy.

Based on user feedback, I gamified the experience by featuring AR critters as seasonal collectibles rather than a permanent cast.

Users revealed that social media shareables that include selfies could better engage digitally-native users like Celine.

Feedback led me to speed up tasks for users by simplifying the route selection screen from a carousel to a one-page list.

I used Midjourney to ideate color palettes and otherwise designed branding by hand — giving the app a tactile, game-like feel.

Source Sans Pro

Button

critter safARi Visual Identity

The final concept addresses the needs of our personas and zoo objectives, and it notably explores features like LLM agents and AR-based wildlife education.

LLM-Based

Route Planning

Map (Bridges

AR and Navigation)

Education via

Seasonal AR Critters

critter safARi Final Visuals

"If this was at my local zoo, I would for sure use it!" "This is a great use case for AI agents."

- Product Testers, ages 25-60

I'd take this concept further by connecting with various zoos to learn their unique needs and constraints — crystallizing next steps.

Thanks to this project, I sharpened my mobile UX/UI fundamentals, honed my user empathy, explored GenAI integration, and learned tenacity from my teammates.

Thank you to everyone who made this project possible.

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