A digital-meets-outdoor adventure playground that encourages Kiwi tamariki to explore the natural world.
Unsworthers was created in response to a brief that asked to “identify a local issue and design a solution using both a digital and physical product.”
I focused on Unsworth Heights, a peaceful suburb with a unique problem. Although the area is home to many young families and shared spaces, they weren’t connecting.
Despite being home to many young families and shared green spaces like the Unsworth Reserve, there is a significant lack of community interactions on Unsworth Heights.
Interviews and observations revealed that residents often keep to themselves, with limited engagement beyond immediate family. Most park visitors were also found to be from outside the area, highlighting weak neighbourhood connection.
Given the Unsworth Reserve’s beautiful scenery and many natural hidden treasures, Unsworthers gives a chance for children come to visit and explore using a pair of special camera binoculars, ‘Worthoculars’ encouraging outdoor exploration and education.
Unsworthers transforms a visit to the Unsworth Reserve into a fun, educational journey for children and their families. Inspired by the area’s natural beauty and hidden ecological treasures, the app encourages tamariki to get outside, explore, and learn through play.
Upon launching the app, new users are guided through a friendly and simple sign-up process that collects key details.
Because the app is designed primarily for children, parents are asked to complete the sign-up process to ensure a safe experience for young tamariki.
Once verified, users create their very own profile by choosing a unique username, selecting their favourite ‘Unsworther’ and adding a custom background colour.
Next, the app walks users through connecting their Worthoculars, with easy step-by-step instructions that are central to exploring and completing outdoor tasks.
With their Worthoculars connected, the app gives a quick walkthrough, showing how to find nearby tasks, take and upload photos, earn rewards and reflect on their discoveries along the way!
At the Unsworth Reserve, users complete fun “Eye Spy” challenges by spotting and snapping photos of native plants and animals with their Worthoculars.
Their discoveries are then uploaded, paired with fun facts and saved in their Adventure Book for future reflection.
Upon completing tasks, users earn ‘U-Coins’ to customise their Unsworther with new outfits and accessories.
They can also revisit what they’ve discovered anytime, making nature exploration both rewarding and educational.
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