Background

When first hired by Xplora, a company dedicated to promoting an active and healthy lifestyle for children, Ismail was tasked with designing a series of branded interactive campaigns that encouraged kids to stay active, earn rewards, and engage in socially responsible activities. The project involved incorporating gamification techniques to make daily activity tracking exciting and rewarding. By partnering with major brands and promoting sustainable initiatives, Xplora aimed to inspire kids to participate in global impact projects such as planting trees, donating water, and supporting net-zero energy initiatives.

Key collaborators included globally recognized names such as UNICEF, Tom & Jerry, Baby Boss, DC Comics Super Pets, Sonic the Hedgehog, and Top Trumps. The campaigns also integrated Xplora Coins, a digital currency that children could earn through activity milestones and spend in the Xplora marketplace on prizes like toys, iPads, and other engaging rewards.

Challenge

The primary challenges were:

1. Engagement: Encouraging kids to stay motivated and consistent in meeting activity goals while making the experience fun and rewarding.

2. Design Complexity: Creating a unified UI/UX for diverse campaigns featuring a wide array of beloved brands, each with its unique aesthetic and appeal and still aligning with Xplora's wider design system.

3. Social Responsibility: Seamlessly integrating CSR initiatives into a kid-friendly interface without overwhelming the primary goal of encouraging activity.

4. Accessibility: Ensuring that the design was intuitive and appealing for children of varying ages and abilities while meeting the expectations of parents and brand partners.
   
   

Solution

The interactive campaigns were integrated into Xplora’s website and mobile app, employing a variety of gamification techniques to maximise user engagement and enhance the overall experience. These included:

• Milestones: Celebrating activity goals with rewards that kept kids motivated by providing a sense of achievement.

• Badges: Collectible items that marked significant progress, fostering a sense of accomplishment.

• Progress Bars: A visual representation of progress towards rewards, keeping goals clear and attainable.

• Interactive Maps: Encouraged exploration by turning activities into adventures, where kids could "unlock" new stages or locations.

• Engaging Graphics and Animations: Fun visuals and effects celebrated completed challenges, reinforcing positive feedback loops.
  
  
  These elements were highly effective for UX as they made the experience fun, interactive, and visually rewarding, ensuring that kids remained engaged and consistently motivated to reach their goals. The techniques also introduced elements of anticipation and surprise, which heightened excitement and user satisfaction.

Impact & Results

• User Engagement & Retention: Weekly activity levels increased by 35%, boosting platform retention and user satisfaction.

• Revenue Growth: Marketplace activity surged by 40%, driven by increased Xplora Coin transactions and premium reward redemptions.

• Brand Partnerships: Collaborations with major brands like DC Comics and UNICEF expanded by 25%, elevating Xplora’s reputation.

• CSR Impact: Over 50,000 trees planted and significant contributions to water and energy initiatives enhanced Xplora’s CSR profile, attracting socially conscious users.