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HeatWise Kids AR

An augmented reality app that helps parents and teachers teach primary school kids about heatwave safety — because heatwaves are recurring in Malaysia, and no learning materials were made for the kids living through them.

Role
UI/UX, AR, Graphic 
and 3D Designer
Platform
Mobile · AR
Tools
Adobe XD, Aero, 
Blender, Procreate
Users
Kids 7–12, 
parents & teachers
HeatWise Kids AR app interface screens showing lessons and quiz content
The problem

Heatwaves are a recurring climate phenomenon in Malaysia, yet there's a lack of learning materials that educate children about heatwave safety. Existing resources aren't curated for kids — and there's no interactive app that teaches them the dangers and precautions in a way that's age-appropriate and actually engaging.

The outcome

A child-friendly AR mobile app covering three lesson topics — Introduction to Heatwave, Heat-Related Sickness, and Sun Safety — each with an interactive AR scene, a quiz to gauge understanding, and a video tutorial for parents and teachers. In feedback testing, 85% found it intuitive for kids and 90% would recommend it to other parents and teachers.

67%

of parents said their children frequently experienced effects of heatwaves.

51%

found existing heatwave resources unsuitable or not curated for their kids.

96%

agreed there should be a mobile app that teaches children heatwave safety.

81%

have children who already use digital learning apps.

Survey of 100+ parents, family members, and teachers of primary school children.

Approach & decisions

What I decided, and why

  1. Google Forms responses — 107 responses with a demographics breakdown of respondents by age
    01

    Starting with a survey, not screens

    Before designing anything, I surveyed 100+ parents, family members, and teachers of primary school children about their experiences with heatwaves and their kids' app usage. The results made the need obvious — and told me the app had to win over adults first, since they're the ones who hand the phone over.

  2. Draft — early pencil sketches exploring Mira the Meerkat's proportions and expression
    Draft — early sketches in Procreate
    Final — Mira the Meerkat modelled and rendered in 3D, the app's friendly guide
    Final — 3D model built in Blender
    02

    A mascot to carry the scary stuff

    Heatstroke is a heavy topic for a 7-year-old. I designed Mira the Meerkat as the app's avatar and friendly guide, so safety information could be delivered in a fun, relatable way instead of as warnings. Branding, logo, and 2D/3D assets were all built around this playful tone.

  3. AR scene 1 — Introduction to Heatwave: Mira the Meerkat explains what a heatwave is and its effects
    Scene 1 — Introduction to Heatwave
    AR scene 2 — Heat-Related Sickness: symptoms labelled on Mira alongside actions to take
    Scene 2 — Heat-Related Sickness
    AR scene 3 — Sun Safety: Mira surrounded by sun-safety actions like wearing sunscreen, a hat, drinking water, and staying indoors
    Scene 3 — Sun Safety
    03

    AR as the teaching moment, not the gimmick

    Each of the three lessons — Introduction to Heatwave, Heat-Related Sickness, and Sun Safety — ends in an interactive AR scene built in Adobe Aero. Kids explore 3D models and animated 2D illustrations in their own space with simple tap interactions, making abstract climate concepts tangible.

  4. Low-fidelity wireframes sketching the Home, Guidelines, Lessons, Lesson, and Quiz flows
    Lo-fi — early wireframes mapping the app's flow
    Final high-fidelity screens — home, lessons, chapter, quiz, and results in the illustrated kid-friendly UI
    Final — the polished, kid-friendly interface
    04

    From lo-fi flow to kid-proof UI

    The flow stayed deliberately shallow: Home, Lessons, Quiz, and a video tutorial for parents and teachers. Wireframes validated the structure before I invested in the illustrated, high-contrast final interface — big tap targets, short text, and a quiz that gauges what kids actually retained.

Prototype demonstration

The app in motion

Full walkthrough — lessons, AR scenes, and quiz
Exhibition materials

Beyond the App

Infographic pamphlet mockup for the final year project exhibition
Infographic pamphlet
Promotional banner mockup for the final year project exhibition
Promotional banner
Outdoor billboard mockup for the final year project exhibition
Billboard
Instagram filter
Reflection

What I learned

What I learned

  • Designing for kids requires balancing fun with clarity — visual storytelling and simplicity are key.
  • AR can be a powerful educational tool when paired with interactive, age-appropriate content.
  • Early user research helped shape the design direction and identify real-world needs.

Challenges

  • Creating 3D and AR content from scratch was time-intensive.
  • Testing with actual children was limited by access and time constraints.
  • Simplifying complex climate safety information for kids was difficult but rewarding.

What I'd do differently

  • Run more in-depth usability testing directly with primary school children.
  • Add voiceovers or narration for accessibility with younger users.
  • Improve inclusivity with higher color contrast, dyslexia-friendly fonts, and audio support.