SkullSeed · Case studyFullerton Arboretum

Experience design

Bird Discovery Cards

As a Bird Discovery docent at the Fullerton Arboretum, I needed a quick, visual way to make visitors curious about our local birds, plus cues and activities to help docents create educational, memorable experiences.

Client
Fullerton Arboretum
Disciplines
Graphic design, experience design, iconography
Tools
Figma
Three of the cards fanned out: Green Heron, Hooded Oriole, and Western Bluebird in front.

The cards

  1. Western Bluebird card: a photo of the bird, its favorite foods, the months it visits, fun facts, where to find it, and a birdwatcher challenge.
    Card 1

    Western Bluebird

    A cavity-nesting thrush with brilliant cobalt plumage. One of the Arboretum's most visually striking residents, and a great way into conversations about habitat loss and nest box programmes.

  2. Northern Mockingbird card: a photo of the bird, its favorite foods, the months it visits, fun facts, where to find it, and a birdwatcher challenge.
    Card 2

    Northern Mockingbird

    California's unofficial soundtrack! The mockingbird can mimic dozens of other species, which makes it endlessly fascinating and a natural hook for younger visitors.

  3. Black Phoebe card: a photo of the bird, its favorite foods, the months it visits, fun facts, where to find it, and a birdwatcher challenge.
    Card 3

    Black Phoebe

    A sharp, monochrome flycatcher that's easy to spot. Its tail-pumping behaviour and aerial hunting make it one of the easiest birds to watch and enjoy in real time.

  4. Green Heron card: a photo of the bird, its favorite foods, the months it visits, fun facts, where to find it, and a birdwatcher challenge.
    Card 4

    Green Heron

    A secretive but remarkable wading bird, and one of the few birds known to use tools: it drops bait onto the water to lure fish within striking range.

  5. Hooded Oriole card: a photo of the bird, its favorite foods, the months it visits, fun facts, where to find it, and a birdwatcher challenge.
    Card 5

    Hooded Oriole

    A vivid, nectar-loving oriole that favours palm trees for nesting. Its flame-orange plumage and elaborate woven nest make it one of the most talked-about birds on any Arboretum tour.

Card features

Each card was designed around three visitor needs: quick visual identification, context at a comfortable depth, and something fun to do that encourages embodied learning.

A custom icon set handles the denser information: when the bird is around through the year, what it eats, and where it lives. Icons cut down the reading for docents talking with guests, without stripping the card of substance. The monthly bar in particular gives visitors an immediate answer to "why haven't I seen this bird before?", one of the questions docents hear most.

Type and layout were tuned for reading outdoors: high contrast, generous spacing, and a clear hierarchy that lets someone take in the key facts at a glance while rewarding a closer read.

The cards needed to work equally well for a six-year-old or a seasoned birder! The icon system was the key to that. It lets you read the card in ten seconds or spend ten minutes with it, and both experiences feel complete.

The Months I visit bar: twelve blocks from January to December, full height in the months the bird is around and short in the months it isn't.
Months I visitA block for each month shows when the bird is around.
The activity mark: a white bird silhouette.
ActivitiesThe bird mark flags something to do: a song to copy, a strut to try, a challenge to spot it.
Five line icons for habitats: a cactus, a pond with reeds, woodland trees, a pine cone, and a flower.
Habitat iconsDesert plants, ponds, woodlands, conifers, and the native garden: where to look around the Arboretum.