Passport 2 Recovery

Passport 2 Recovery

Passport 2 Recovery

Project type

Mobile app

Focus

Civic engagement product

Role

Senior Product Designer

Client

Flinders University

The 'Passport 2 Recovery' App displayed in a phone mock-up.

In 2019, bushfires destroyed 42% of Kangaroo Island, damaging ecosystems and collapsing tourism. Recovery required long-term environmental monitoring and renewed visitor engagement.

My role was to design a mobile app that brought tourists back by involving them in legitimate citizen science for ecosystem recovery.

A mock-up of the app shown in a phone lying on a rock outdoors.

Design approach

Design challenge

I worked with scientists and developers to define which research activities tourists could realistically complete while maintaining data accuracy. The challenge was designing scientific tasks that felt accessible and rewarding without compromising the quality of submissions researchers needed.

Design challenge

I worked with scientists and developers to define which research activities tourists could realistically complete while maintaining data accuracy. The challenge was designing scientific tasks that felt accessible and rewarding without compromising the quality of submissions researchers needed.

Designing for casual contributors

I designed task flows that broke complex scientific activities like insect identification and soil sampling into clear, manageable steps. Instructions were structured to guide users through data collection without overwhelming them, balancing scientific rigor with tourist-friendly simplicity.

The app launched with core functionality and expanded iteratively to 12 citizen science activities by 2024, each designed to feel achievable while delivering legitimate research value.

Designing for casual contributors

I designed task flows that broke complex scientific activities like insect identification and soil sampling into clear, manageable steps. Instructions were structured to guide users through data collection without overwhelming them, balancing scientific rigor with tourist-friendly simplicity.

The app launched with core functionality and expanded iteratively to 12 citizen science activities by 2024, each designed to feel achievable while delivering legitimate research value.

Building engagement through design

I led the app design while collaborating with university design students on the broader Passport 2 Recovery brand. The visual language used native wildlife, natural textures, and a passport metaphor to create emotional connection to place.

The onboarding experience frames participation as both tourism and conservation contribution. Users receive a Kangaroo Island stamp, turning sign-up into a symbolic first step that establishes their role in recovery from the start.

3 screens from the sign-up flow of the 'Passport 2 Recovery' App, showing the passport style.

A passport-inspired sign-up that turns onboarding into a symbolic first step, helping users feel connected to place and responsible for their contribution from the start.

Building engagement through design

I led the app design while collaborating with university design students on the broader Passport 2 Recovery brand. The visual language used native wildlife, natural textures, and a passport metaphor to create emotional connection to place.

The onboarding experience frames participation as both tourism and conservation contribution. Users receive a Kangaroo Island stamp, turning sign-up into a symbolic first step that establishes their role in recovery from the start.

3 screens from the sign-up flow of the 'Passport 2 Recovery' App, showing the passport style.

A passport-inspired sign-up that turns onboarding into a symbolic first step, helping users feel connected to place and responsible for their contribution from the start.

Rewards and ecosystem loop

I designed a rewards system in partnership with local businesses, linking conservation participation with tangible local benefits.

This created a closed loop where tourists, scientists, and the local economy all gained value.

A phone being held in the sky showing the completion screen of an activity from the app.

A completion screen that celebrates progress, shows points earned, and nudges users to explore rewards from local businesses.

Rewards and ecosystem loop

I designed a rewards system in partnership with local businesses, linking conservation participation with tangible local benefits.

This created a closed loop where tourists, scientists, and the local economy all gained value.

A phone being held in the sky showing the completion screen of an activity from the app.

A completion screen that celebrates progress, shows points earned, and nudges users to explore rewards from local businesses.

The app has generated close to 3,000 citizen science submissions now used by researchers to track ecosystem recovery on Kangaroo Island.

It has been adopted by classroom excursions and guided tourism groups, extending its educational reach beyond individual visitors while supporting local businesses through a built-in rewards system.

See more work

See more work