The Holiday Lights event at the Bronx Zoo is a beloved tradition that brings the zoo to life during the winter season with dazzling light displays and festive activities. Though beloved by families, the event went dark in 2007 due to budgetary constraints. In 2019, the Bronx Zoo decided to bring the event back – at a bigger and brighter scale – and they wanted all New Yorkers, young and old, to know about it.
The Mission
We wanted to tell the magical story of the Bronx Zoo Holiday Lights returning after 11 years of hibernation. Borrowing the nostalgic style of kids’ pop-up books, we created an enchanting virtual world where each “page” unfolds into a dazzling scene, full of vibrant, almost touchable, lantern animals.
A Little Background
The Holiday Lights event at the Bronx Zoo is a beloved tradition that brings the zoo to life during the winter season with dazzling light displays and festive activities. Though beloved by families, the event went dark in 2007 due to budgetary constraints. In 2019, the Bronx Zoo decided to bring the event back – at a bigger and brighter scale – and they wanted all New Yorkers, young and old, to know about it.
The Mission
We wanted to tell the magical story of the Bronx Zoo Holiday Lights returning after 11 years of hibernation. Borrowing the nostalgic style of kids’ pop-up books, we created an enchanting virtual world where each “page” unfolds into a dazzling scene, full of vibrant, almost touchable, lantern animals.
How We Did It
We worked with both analogue and digital artists to create three-dimensional and highly detailed animal lanterns, sparkling trees, all surrounded by whimsical landscapes. We even created lanterns of our visitors so they could become part of the story, exploring the Bronx Zoo – where the beauty of nature meets the magic of the holidays to create an unforgettable experience.
Open on a closed book titled “Bronx Zoo Holiday Lights.”
The book opens, revealing a 3-D pop up magical world.
With a page flip, we see the gates open and animals abound.
The camera drives into the world - carolers pop up.
