Ranger Buddies Quest
Interactive wildlife conservation experience for children
Ranger Buddies Quest transforms a visit to the Mandai Wildlife Reserve into an engaging educational adventure. Children use custom-designed smart binoculars to explore the zoo's 28-hectare grounds, delving into scientifically accurate content through a narrative-driven, park-wide gaming experience. The project promotes environmental conservation while encouraging outdoor exploration through immersive play.
Objective
To create an innovative park-wide experience that immerses children in conservation education through digital tools and interactive storytelling, transforming the Mandai Wildlife Reserve into a smart playground.
Challenge
Mandai Wildlife Reserve, home to over 1000 animal species, sought to elevate the visitor experience by engaging children in conservation efforts through an interactive, educational, and playful approach. The challenge was to design an experience that captivates a digitally native generation while fostering a deeper connection with nature and wildlife.
Solution
As Creative Director, I led the creative vision, working closely with multidisciplinary teams across UX, product design, content, and technology. We developed Ranger Buddies Quest—a first-of-its-kind experience featuring smart binoculars. Children used these binoculars to engage with the zoo's grounds, completing missions, unlocking learning points, and earning badges. The experience was enriched by narrative storytelling, with children taking on the role of Rangers guided by the ancient organisation COSCAS to protect wildlife. Physical outposts with interactive games, powered by touchscreens and Kinect, extended the educational play.
Execution
I directed the integration of the binoculars, outposts, and mobile app, ensuring seamless user experience across digital and physical touchpoints. The binoculars, a custom hardware solution, enabled children to spot animals, navigate mini-games, and follow a mission-based narrative. Outposts at various points in the park provided additional interactive content, while the app for parents facilitated real-time tracking, mission control, and conversation starters.
Impact
Ranger Buddies Quest transformed how children interact with wildlife, blending digital engagement with outdoor exploration. It became part of a nationwide education program, bringing conservation awareness to a new generation. The project received widespread recognition, winning several industry awards, including a People's Voice Webby Award in 2024, and continued to position the Mandai Wildlife Reserve as a leader in conservation education.
Client
Mandai Wildlife Reserve
Agency
Media.Monks
Role
Creative Director
Year
2022
Type
Interactive Experience
- Custom Hardware
- Mobile App Development
- Interactive Storytelling
- Kinect
- UX Design
Hey 👋 I'm a Creative Director 🎬, Designer 🎨 and Creative Technologist 🖥️ — your quintessential jack of all trades and master of some. Globetrotting from London 🇬🇧 to Singapore 🇸🇬 and Rotterdam 🇳🇱, I've honed my skills at top agencies like Media.Monks, Subvrsive, B-Reel and AllofUs, crafting creative solutions that resonate globally. Armed with experience in AR 🕶️, a curiosity for VR 🌐 and an ever-growing fascination with AI 🤖, I create immersive experiences across Voice 🔊, 3D 🛠️, immersive web 💻 and experiential design 🎢. I enjoy leading interdisciplinary teams towards bold and interesting outcomes, aiming to produce work that is as delightful as it is effective. Constantly poking at the boundaries of the next possible, I'm excited to explore where both old and new technology might lead us.