VILD: Inspiring Families to Explore Nature Together
VILD: Digital Platform for Nature Engagement
project type
Digital Concept Development, UX/UI Design, Web Platform
ROLE
Group project
EXPERTISE
User Research, Prototyping, Digital Strategy
YEAR
2024
Project description
As part of a student project, our team was tasked with developing a concept proposal for VILD, an initiative by Danmarks Naturfredningsforening (DN) aimed at engaging more children in nature. At the time, VILD was an undefined project, and our goal was to propose a solution that could attract children aged 6–12 and their families to spend more time outdoors.
Based on DN’s brief, we conducted user research, ideation, and prototyping to create a digital concept that would inspire families to explore nature. Our proposal included a website and a mobile web app, designed to provide inspiration, event listings, and interactive content. While we did not collaborate directly with DN, we approached the project as if they were real-life clients, ensuring our solution aligned with their mission and goals.
The result was a conceptual web portal that offers families easy access to nature activities, events, and educational resources, making it simpler for busy parents and curious children to connect with nature.
Context
Modern families face two major challenges: time constraints and lack of inspiration for outdoor activities. Research shows that children increasingly rely on digital platforms for entertainment, while parents struggle to find simple, engaging ways to integrate nature into their daily lives. VILD was created to bridge this gap by offering a user-friendly digital hub that motivates families to explore nature through curated activities, events, and educational content.
Target Audience
Primary: Parents with children aged 6–12.
Secondary: Children aged 3–5 and 12–15, as well as environmentally conscious families.
Key Insights
Digital Preferences: Children in the target age group primarily engage with video-based content.
Parental Barriers: Parents cite lack of time and inspiration as the main obstacles to outdoor activities.
Need for Facilitation: Children express interest in nature but require adult guidance to participate in outdoor adventures.
Process
Methodology
The project followed the Double Diamond design process, focusing on:
User Research: Surveys and interviews with parents and educators to identify pain points and opportunities.
Prototyping: Development of interactive wireframes and user flows to test usability and engagement.
Iterative Testing: User feedback sessions to refine the platform’s features and content.
Development Phases
Discovery: Identified user needs through surveys, interviews, and desk research.
Definition: Defined core features based on insights, including inspiration filters, event calendars, and interactive maps.
Design: Created a prototype with a focus on accessibility, visual appeal, and ease of use.
Testing: Validated the prototype with target users, incorporating feedback to improve functionality and user experience.
Solution
Core Features
Inspiration Hub: Filterable activities by nature type, weather, and group size, with step-by-step guides.
Event Calendar: Local and regional events with filters for location and date.
Interactive Map: Locates nearby nature spots and activities.
VILD XPLORE: Video-based challenges and educational content for children.
Membership Portal: Exclusive content and benefits for DN members.
User Benefits
For Parents: Saves time with ready-to-use activity ideas and reduces the mental load of planning.
For Children: Engages through interactive, video-based content and challenges.
For DN: Strengthens community engagement and promotes membership growth.
