Elysian Zoo is an enchanted AR-powered mobile app that invites you on an extraordinary journey into a realm of mythical creatures and magical lore. Explore the zoo grounds, transformed into a fantastical landscape, and encounter legendary beasts from the pages of folklore and mythology.
Seamless Ticket Purchasing: ElysianZoo seamlessly integrates ticket purchasing into its AR experience, ensuring visitors a smooth and convenient entry process. Users can easily buy tickets directly within the app, avoiding the hassle of long queues at the entrance.The app offers a variety of ticket options, catering to individual needs andpreferences, and securely processes payments using industry-standard encryption.
Ticketing Options
Payment Processing
Real-Time Wait Times: Optimize your zoovisit and avoid long queues with our real-time wait time feature. Accessreal-time wait times for popular attractions directly in line with the mapfeature.
*Future roadmap plans include integration with planning your itineraryaccordingly and receiving notifications about changes in wait times.
AR Mythical Creatures: Witness theawe-inspiring beauty of majestic griffins, mischievous fairies, and wise olddragons through life-size AR overlays. Interact with these fantastical beings,learn their captivating stories, and capture unforgettable augmented realityselfies.
Interactive Magical Map: Navigate theenchanted zoo with our interactive map adorned with whimsical illustrations andanimated elements. Discover hidden pathways, uncover secret groves, and planyour adventure with our suggested itineraries. Avoid the wait times by usingour feature-providing
Engaging Magical Challenges: Embark onenchanting challenges throughout the zoo. Solve riddles, decipher ancienttexts, and complete magical tasks to earn enchanted rewards.
Real-Time Mythical Creature Tracking:Track the elusive movements of rare and mythical creatures using our real-time tracking feature. Stay up to date on magical creature sightings and plan your adventure accordingly.
If the user selects Visit by Date
If the user selects a Membership, they are asked to choose the type of membership they want and provide their name,address, and contact information. [To be developed later due to time constraints]
If the user selects a Group Discount,they are asked to enter the number of people in their group and provide the contact information for the group leader. [To be developed later due to time constraints]
Additional Details:
If the user selects Visit by Date
If the user selects a Membership, they are asked to choose the type of membership they want and provide their name,address, and contact information. [To be developed later due to time constraints]
If the user selects a Group Discount,they are asked to enter the number of people in their group and provide the contact information for the group leader. [To be developed later due to time constraints]
Additional Details:
Click the image above for a full lightbox
The clickable prototypeunderwent testing with 2 different users with different backgrounds to gathervaluable feedback. During the feedback-seeking session, insights were gained intwo main areas. In the context of the ticket-buying process, users expressed aneed for added convenience and transparency. Suggestions included incorporatinga progress indicator to guide users through the ticket purchasing steps,introducing a guest checkout option for those averse to creating an account,and providing incentives for account creation, such as the ability to savepreferences or access exclusive offers. Additionally, users highlighted theimportance of diverse payment options like "Afterpay" or"Klarna" for a more inclusive experience.
In therealm of map navigation, users emphasized the significance of real-timeinformation and enhanced accessibility. Recommendations encompassed theincorporation of notifications for wait times, allowing users to setpreferences and receive alerts when wait times dip below a specified threshold.The addition of a crowd-sourced feedback mechanism for wait times wassuggested, fostering a community-driven aspect to keep information updated inreal-time. Users also advised the inclusion of a key or legend on the map foreasy interpretation and suggested the introduction of a filter option on themap page, enabling users to highlight dining experiences or favoriteattractions for a more personalized journey through the zoo.
Elysian Zoo is designed to transport users to a world of enchantment and wonder, where the boundaries between reality and fantasy blur. The app's design is rooted in a deep understanding of user personas and meticulous attention to detail, ensuring that the experience is immersive,engaging, and accessible to all.
We started with a Teams meeting where initial thoughts and planning were captured in an Ideas document. To provide additional lifting,since there are only two of us, we decided to evoke AI to help us iterate through ideas faster in the way of Google AI called Bard.
Once we had a solid idea of what we wanted to do from athematic sense, a sketch of the navigation IA was quickly completed. Then,small thumbnails were created to get a feel for how the final wireframes would be created for each user path (2 in total in this case). Think of it as a preliminary study for wireframing work. It helped me understand"keyframing". The wireframes must be detailed enough for a solid foundation to create final higher fidelity walkthroughs for users to test and effectively provide feedback.
See the early sketch phase PDF here and here.
The wireframes were then drawn to speed cycle time and ease of getting thoughts down on paper without software restrictions. (It alsoprovides an excellent way to rest the eyes after so much time staring at screens.)
Using the wireframes as a map, a Figma prototype was created, demonstrating two green paths in the experience to place in front of users to weigh initial reaction, usability, and gain feedback. Through this user-centric, iterative design process, Elysian Zoo will emerge as an enchanting and immersive experience that transports users to a world of mythical creatures and magical lore. The app's carefully crafted design and user-centric approach ensures that visitors can enjoy the extraordinary journey into the realm of Elysian Zoo regardless of age.
This streamlined approach to ticketing not onlyprioritizes user convenience but also aligns with Elysian Zoo's commitment to providing a hassle-free entry experience. By allowing users to purchase tickets seamlessly within the app experience, it not only eliminates the need for physical queues but also enhances the overall efficiency of the visitor's journey. The diverse ticket options available within the app cater to individual preferences, offering a tailored experience that reflects the zoo's dedication to accommodating a broad spectrum of visitors. The robust security measures, including industry-standard encryption, further underscore Elysian Zoo's commitment to safeguarding user information and ensuring a secure and trustworthy transaction process.
Implementing a feature to display wait times on a zoo app serves as a crucial enhancement to the overall user experience and operational efficiency. The primary objective is to empower visitors with real-time information, enabling them to plan their visit more effectively and make informed decisions about their itinerary within the zoo. By incorporating wait times for popular exhibits, attractions, and facilities, the app addresses the common pain points associated with long queues and unpredictable delays.This not only enhances visitor satisfaction but also contributes to a smoother flow of foot traffic throughout the zoo, optimizing the use of available resources and reducing congestion.
The design journey for Elysian Zoo stands as a testament to the intersection of creativity, technological innovation, and auser-centric ethos. From the inception, to the practicalities of manual wireframing and the Figma prototype, every phase unfolded as an exploration into the layers shaping a seamless user experience. The intentional emphasis onage-inclusive design and the pragmatic integration of features like ticket purchasing and real-time wait times revealed a deep commitment to addressing user needs and pain points. As we reflect on this process, it becomes evident that the magic of Elysian Zoo doesn't solely reside in fantastical creatures and lore but equally in the pragmatic, user-centric decisions woven into its design fabric.
As we contemplate these insights, the design journey for Elysian Zoo appears as a dynamic, ever-evolving process that not only embraces feedback but actively seeks it. This reflective approach to design reinforces the commitment to creating an app that not only captivates with enchanting content but also seamlessly integrates user preferences, ensuring a truly immersive and user-friendly digital experience. This journey underscores the significance of collaboration, iteration, and a profound understanding of user perspectives in crafting a digital experience that transcends the virtual realm and resonates with diverse audiences.