Kaitlin Plane

Symbiotic Relationships: R, O, D

https://kplane.myportfolio.com

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Concept & Research

Our research involved interviewing teachers to better understand how our cards could be utilized in a classroom setting. We aimed to create a fun and engaging way to educate young children on the various symbiotic relationships in nature. Through demonstrating the ABC’s of symbiotic relationships, it allows children to match the cards while also learning about different habitats and complex topics.

R is for Rhino

Rhinoceros are large mammals that reside in various parts of Asia and Africa. They graze throughout their day with their herd and are considered to be one of the most endangered species of animals. With that being said, I wanted to create an environment that displayed Rhinos in a softer setting, since they are considered tough and rugged animals.

I wanted to create an abstract style for the animal and it’s environment to allow the children to use some imagination when picturing a Rhinoceros. By swiping through the different types of Rhinos, children can learn what makes each of them unique.

Spread of rhino in a desert environment
Rhinoceros Card
Video of Rhino Tablet Interaction Prototyped with Principle App

O is for Oxpecker

A red-billed or yellow-billed Oxpecker bird can be found in Africa, dwelling on the backs of large animals, including Rhinoceros. They work to protect their large mammal friends by alerting them of danger. The design style for this card was intended to match its compatible card, the Rhino.

Interact with the Oxpecker by tapping it, it will alert the bird of danger causing to fly away, just like it would in real life.

Spread of bird sitting on a tree branch
Bird Card
Video of Oxpecker Bird Tablet Interaction Prototyped with Principle App

D is for Deciduous Hardwood Tree

The Hardwood Deciduous Tree serves as a resource for Lemurs. They provide the animals with food which the Lemurs then excrete, spreading the tree seeds. These trees would essentially die without the help of Lemurs. These trees have no distinct features to them which allows the design style of this card to feature an abstract depiction of the tree.

For the interaction, I wanted to provide a brief description about the relationship with lemurs. By featuring them in the piece, it allows children to “poke around” and find them.

Spread of abstract tree in an environment with apples
Deciduous Hardwood Tree Card
Video of Deciduous Tree Tablet Interaction Prototyped with Principle App

Recap

I learned that when it comes to working with multiple designers, it can be difficult to find a common style or layout to design for, since we all must agree. Once our group was able to come to a consensus on the card layout and use of type, it made our creative process much easier. Overall I think our team work and compromise helped make our project so unique and successful.

Photo of Cards D, O, R
Photo of Cards D, O, R

Downloadable Assets

You may use the below assets created for this project provided via Figma as long as you give attribution, share your outcomes, and if your use is non-commercial in nature.

The above work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.
Creative Commons License