Design Exploration (Jeanette Kangas)

The Eco Zoo

http://www.ecodazoo.com

The Eco Zoo is one of those websites that I could just sit and watch for hours. The sounds and colors along with its interactivity capabilities creates a somewhat hypnotic state. The site was constructed by 'McCann Erickson', a leading international agency network that has offices in 120 countries around the world. Obviously a multi million, if not billion dollar advertisement company, however this particular website, I feel is pretty cool.

The website is done using 3D and flash techniques. As the user scrolls up the tower which appears to be made out of cardboard, he or she can rotate, ascend and descend the tower by clicking and dragging the mouse. As the user encounters animals on there way up or down the tower, they can click on the image of the animal which brings them to a book with pop-up features that tells a story about the creature.

There are a total of five creatures in this zoo and as the user ascends up the tower the sounds of the birds, wind and waterfalls becomes more and more quite until finally at the top of the tower the user encounters a tree.

I feel that this site is very dynamic and engaging and features images, sounds and colors that unify the site into a unique whole.