Week 1: Initial Ideas

For context, at first my thesis was going to go a different direction.

My thesis idea focuses on a brand identity and a visual system for a zoo’s zodiac

brand. It would be a digital & physical experience that connects the visitors' zodiac

symbol with animals residing at the zoo. The visitor could also receive information

about animals in the zoo through this: population status, habitat, behavior, etc… in

order to further connect the visitor to the animal. This project aims to aid in making

people feel a greater connection to the animals they are visiting and encourage them to

aid in the preservation of those animals.

The initial observation here is the consistent rise in horoscopes & zodiac signs

being used as an extension of oneself. The goal by mixing the zoo with the zodiac

symbols would be to make it very personalized for a better visitor experience, and to

make a zoo visit more engaging by strengthening the emotional connections. The

argument for this idea is the effect that personalization and symbolic connection can

provide in cultivating empathy and engagement.