Colonial Williamsburg Foundation
Launched Jul, 2008
Kids Zone Redesign
Colonial Williamsburg Foundation
How does the world’s largest living history museum engage next-generation guests on the web? For Colonial Williamsburg, the answer is its online Kids Zone, comprised of illustrated landscapes, animated guides, and a collection of online games and activities.
Background
We began working with Colonial Williamsburg in 2004 to develop the Kids Zone concept and create a loose blueprint for the games and activities that would live there. The concept revolved around four scenes, each featuring its own collection of the people, places and animals of 18th-century Williamsburg. In each scene, a young illustrated guide leads users through an animated landscape.
Play and Learn
Today the Kids Zone features more than a dozen games and activities ranging from learning activities to arcade games, from virtual choose-your-own adventures to mysterious quests.
The Redesign
In early summer of 2008, we began working with Colonial Williamsburg to recreate the Kids Zone website. We designed an improved layout that brought games and activities more quickly to the surface. We implemented standards-centric, interactive navigation devices that offer quick, intuitive access to all that the Kids Zone offers.
Production
We were responsible for all aspects of design and implementation. As always, our clients at Colonial Williamsburg were active participants in the process, providing feedback and engaging in discussion that helped shape the final outcome.
