The Dartmoor Zoological Society is a charitable organisation dedicated to the care and conservation of wildlife, centred around Dartmoor Zoo near Plymouth. Established to support the zoo’s educational and conservation efforts, the society works to promote awareness of endangered species and inspire public engagement with the natural world. It plays a vital role in funding animal welfare, scientific research, and educational outreach programs. The society gained wider recognition following the story depicted in the book and film ‘We Bought a Zoo’, which chronicles the zoo’s early challenges and revival.
Client: Dartmoor Zoological Society / PL1 Events
Service: Design for Print / Exhibition
Sector: Charity & Education
Adgective were commissioned by Dartmoor Zoo, through PL1 Events, to produce the design of an Easter installation in one of their education rooms. Creating the Easter installation for children at Dartmoor Zoo needed to be fun and an engaging way to combine the Easter celebration with wildlife education. The installation featured themed activities such as an Easter egg trail around the zoo, where children search for brightly decorated eggs while learning interesting facts about the animals they encounter.
Interactive elements like craft stations, puzzles, fun-facts, all enhanced the overall atmosphere. Working with the Zoo and Pl1 Events, we incorporated conservation messages into the experience, helping children to understand the importance of protecting animals and their habitats. By blending creativity with learning, the Easter installation provided a memorable and meaningful day out for families.
The Brief
The client’s brief for producing the Easter installation at Dartmoor Zoo focused on creating a fun, family-friendly experience that would engage children while complementing the zoo’s educational and conservation goals. They requested an Easter-themed trail that would encourage exploration of the zoo grounds, incorporating interactive elements such as clues, puzzles, or animal facts at each stop. The installation needed to be visually appealing, safe, and suitable for a wide age range, with an emphasis on creativity and sustainability in the materials used. The client also highlighted the importance of aligning the theme with the zoo’s identity, ensuring that the event would not only entertain but also educate visitors about wildlife and environmental care.
Key aspects
The key aspects of the Easter installation at Dartmoor Zoo focused on creating a central, visually captivating display that captured the spirit of Easter while engaging young visitors. The installation featured large, colourful Easter-themed decorations, including animal-inspired egg designs and springtime props, all crafted with sustainability in mind. Interactive elements such as themed craft activities, photo opportunities, and storytelling sessions were included to encourage participation and creativity. Positioned in a high-footfall area of the zoo, the installation served as both an entertaining focal point and an opportunity to subtly reinforce the zoo’s conservation messaging in a fun and family-friendly way.
Final stage
PL1 Events expertly installed the Easter installation at Dartmoor Zoo, enhancing the visual impact with carefully arranged lighting and immersive background nature sounds. The team strategically placed soft, colourful lights to highlight key features of the display, creating a warm and inviting atmosphere that drew visitors in. To deepen the sensory experience, ambient nature sounds, such as birdsong, rustling leaves, and gentle animal calls, were integrated into the setup, adding an enchanting layer of realism that complemented the zoo’s natural surroundings. PL1 Events ensured that all elements were safely installed, maintaining both the aesthetic and practical integrity of the installation throughout the Easter period.
”I had the pleasure of working with Chris when creating the Dartmoor Zoo Easter installation, and both PL1 and Dartmoor Zoo couldn't be happier with the results. From start to finish, Chris demonstrated expertise, creativity, and professionalism. He took the time to understand the vision and brought the whole install to life. I'd highly recommend Adgective to anyone looking for high-quality graphic design services.
Hannah BuckinghamProduction Manager, PL1 Events