An Interpretative Audio Experience

An Interpretative Audio Experience:

Seeds Environmental Interpretations team provide fresh and innovative ways to create

connections between people and places.

One of our most effective interpretation platforms engages multiple sensory triggers,

eliciting responses as superficial as instant physical action, or as profound as subconsciously

changing lifestyle behaviours.

The Seeds Interpretive Audio Experience does just that.

Taking the basic principles of ecotourism and environmental education, and combining

them with modern technologies, has allowed us to provide an experience that can be

tailored to meet the individual needs of each visitor to the site, and be as basic, or detailed

as desired.

The Objective:

To provide a platform of environmental interpretation, that is flexible enough to target

audiences, as specifically or broadly as desired, whilst not losing its ability to evoke a

personal connection between person and place.

The Concept:

Minimal, in-situ signage, purposed with guiding the visitor to a specific, web based platform.

This can be reached by using any handset with internet connection, (such as any iPhone,

iPad, android phones etc).

Upon reaching the designated website, the user simply clicks on the audio file which

corresponds with the sign, to hear the voice of their virtual tour guide describing the focus

points of that specific location.

The Pro’s:

Ease of information updating. Rather than having to create all new signage when

something changes, information can be updated simply by updating the website

content.

Broadened

demographic. Traditional

signage displaying large

amounts of written

information, limits the

audience to those with

higher literacy levels, and/or

good vision. By providing the

bulk of the information via

audio file, the experience

then transcends the visual

barriers, additionally

allowing the visitor to look

and wander around the

location at the same time.

Engaging younger

generations by using

modern technologies to

which they are keenly

familiar.

Information can be

delivered in a form which is

more entertaining, and

thusly, more likely to be

absorbed and retained.

More knowledge and

information is transmitted

than traditional read

signage, as the boredom

factor doesn’t weigh in as

early.

A share experience - listening together rather than reading in turns helps to create a

shared experience amongst visitors.

A moving experience – it’s often hard to stop and read a sign when you are enjoying

a walk. An audio trail can allow you to listen whilst still enjoying your walk.

The Possibilities: Endless

Given the flexibility of the media used for this concept, the Interpretive Audio Experience

has boundless possibilities for its application, limited only by imagination.

The following highlight some of the possibilities generated

by our Seeds Interpretations team:

~ Children’s focus: The use of audio files allows kids to

interact with a character, designed specifically to engage

with them on their level. For example; ‘Wally the Swamp

Wallaby’ (complete with his personalized voice), welcomes

the children to the site and then accompanies them

throughout the site, helping them to engage in activities

such as - counting butterflies, smelling scented flowers or

finding something special hidden at that point. Children’s

content has also been utilized to address curriculum

specific topics

~ Ecological focus: Using audio files of common species of

frogs, birds calls etc, to ‘call up’ local wildlife known to

frequent certain locations. (I.e. Pobblebonks around

marshy areas)

~ Seasonal changes: Develop a series of audio files that are interchangeable, throughout

seasons. This allows the visitor to get a different experience depending on which season

they attend, potentially, this is like getting to visit a whole new site but in the same location.

This change allows fresh information to be delivered, referring to what plant species may be

in flower, which butterfly you should expect to see, or use more intangible themes when the

environment provides less attraction (ie winter).

~Pre-emptive interaction: Our virtual tour guide can feel as real as someone standing right

beside you. Assuming most signs are placed directly in front of any given attraction, and

usually read front on, the virtual guide will assume this (and other behaviours) in the audio

recording. For example: when the visitor is asked 'what

can you see.’ their automatic response is to look

directly up. With this in mind, our tour guide then

prompts further with 'look a little more to your left...’

To the individual, this gives the feeling that they are

being personally guided through the park or reserve

and can interact with their tour guide, rather than just

hear information read to them.

~ Easy feedback: Now you've caught their attention and

imagination! You have them right where you want

them! Feeling positive and with your website at the tips

of their fingers completion of a digital feedback form is

quick and easy. The value of this feedback can then be

fed directly back into the experience by better

understanding what people like and don’t like, and

easily updated into new audio files.

As simple as 1, 2, 3!

1. Make sure you have a QR reader app on your

phone – download a free one from the App Store

2. Scan the QR code with the app

3. Play the audio file of choice and enjoy nature’s

beauty, as highlighted by our interpretive

experience!

Scan to view some of SEEDS Audio Tours

Traditional Interpretive Signage

Of course we also produce visually appealing, engaging

and informative interpretive signage with or without

audio tours embedded

Or have your own App

The use of QR codes requires mobile phone reception

which may not be available in many natural areas so for

those with sites that don’t have reception we have

created an easy to use audio tour app. You have all your

own custom graphics and audio-visual content as usual in

an easy to use and accessible app.

Visitors download the app where they have reception and

then use it to take the tour with the added benefit of

using their devices location services and navigating to the

desired point of interest and audio tour. A custom app

can potentially reduce the need for signs in situ as the

built in map is used to navigate to points of interest.

St Thomas More Outdoor Classroom App by SEEDS

ITunes

Android

Costing Guide

The table below shows some basic cost estimates. Should you be interested in investing in

an interpretive experience to enable visitors to your unique property to be engaged its

stories and gain a sense of connection and understanding planning meetings will be arrange

to determine your desires from which an accurate and detailed costing can be provided.

Your property on Mornington-Flinders Rd, Red Hill provides abundant

opportunities for engaging interpretive environmental experiences. Some preliminary ideas

include:

Featuring significant fauna species present on the property - stories of their unique

life cycles and habitat needs – including pictures and sounds

The importance and role of wetland environments

Vegetation communities present on site

Significant flora species and their ecological and aboriginal uses

History of the property

Bushland Restoration works that have occurred on the property and the resulting

return of fauna species

Impacts on bushland sites – the impacts of weeds, waterway degradation

Feral animals – their impact on our native fauna and things you can do at home

Sustainable living – growing your own, food miles

Organic food – why it’s good for you and the environment

Interpretive Signage Cost Range

Trail Marker – 200mm Wide (e.g. Yellow Robin)

Includes

graphics (limited text due to size of post) – can be the same or

vary for each post – cost difference

Audio content – different for each post, includes script and audio

production, sound engineering, voice artist, specific species calls,

upload to web page

Post installation

$900-1100 each

Trail Marker – 400mm Wide (e.g. Bandicoot Sign)

Includes

As above but with the ability to include more text

$1000-1300

Podium Signs – 700mm Wide (Towering Tree-ferns)

As above but with the ability to include more text

$1400-1600

Custom App

Production of app using all the audio and visual content from

accompanying signs – may include video also if requested

Includes initial year hosting fee

Apps without accompanying signs require additional costs for

audio and visual content production

$2500