Free Me

Questioning animal captivity using augmented reality

Augmented Information Spaces, MSc Design in Linköping University, 2019
Consultant: Maria Pinto and Sofia Pereira

Should animals be kept in captivity? There has been an ongoing debate on the topic of animal captivity. This project is aimed to stimulate discussion and enable action to the issue of animal captivity in zoos.

I designed a low fidelity prototype of a mobile application where augmented information is used to bring the animal's living environment closer to us. The distanced and often unseen can then be compared with their living conditions in the zoo.

Feature 1

The mobile application would theoretically recognise the type of species and augment a background behind the animal. The user can move their phone around to explore the living environment. Sound is accompanied where recordings of animals are played.

Feature 3

The user can rate the living conditions and report their concerns to respective authorities. This function is to provide power to individuals to enable change.

Photo credit: ‘Tiger at the zoo’, ©torange.biz