Reconnecting with nature through story: The Serenity Stroll project

Can you describe the project you worked on? 

Leona: 'When we received the brief, we were asked to create an audio tour that would help people reconnect with nature. The tone was meant to be relaxing and thought-provoking, encouraging people to notice and appreciate the environment around them. We came up with a storytelling concept where trees on campus actually "talk" to the listener. The main character, Atlas, is a tree voiced by lecturer Mark McInnis. Atlas shares his story, reflecting on the history of the BUas campus, even before it was an university campus, and his friendship with other plants in the community garden. It is all about inspiring people to listen more to nature.' 

Yasmin: 'We really tried to give the plants and trees their own personalities, like they are just like us, with friendships and emotions. We used natural instruments and sounds to make it feel like nature itself was speaking. It wasn’t just about us narrating, it was nature talking.' 

Olivia: 'The tour guides you through different parts of the BUas campus using QR codes. We chose quieter, more peaceful routes, behind Sibelius, near the Horizon building that used to be a monastery, and into the community garden. It is an opportunity to explore areas you might normally overlook.' 

Leona: 'We designed the route carefully so people would walk through less rushed parts of campus. It starts by scanning a QR code and leads you on a path with audio stops. Each segment has a purpose, whether it is sharing a piece of history or deepening your connection to the environment.' 

Olivia: 'The brief asked us to help students and staff reconnect with nature, but we also had our own goal: to make it fun and engaging. We found through surveys that students enjoyed story-based content and wanted something entertaining, not just informative. So, we really leaned into narrative and character development. The project lasted about two months, starting in February, and we had several workshops along the way.' 

Leona: 'We ran a survey to understand our audience and found that students connect more with characters if there is a plot. That is why we created Atlas and gave him a full backstory. We also considered platforms, and we ultimately decided on QR codes around campus for ease of access.' 

Olivia: 'Staff preferred a slower-paced, meditative approach, so the tour is split into three parts, you can move on when you are ready, which suits everyone’s rhythm.' 

What was your role in the project?  

Alexandra: 'I was the product coordinator, responsible for mapping the user journey, how they’d discover the tour, take part in it, and share it. I also worked on the style guide, posters, and captions, and passed it all to the BUas Climate and Sustainability team to help promote it.' 

Leona: 'As project coordinator, I managed scheduling, planning, script development, and production. I also worked on the marketing materials and audio editing, using After Effects. My past experience with sound design really helped.' 

Valeriia: 'Yasmin and I were the content coordinators. We focused on storytelling, writing the scripts, developing characters, and researching the campus’s past, like the monastery that used to be here. That inspired a lot of our narrative decisions.' 

Yasmin: 'We created detailed character profiles and made Atlas our protagonist. The story was split into three sections to match the QR codes. We wrote it collaboratively, revising each other’s work. It really felt like a team effort. What was special was that this was our first time combining publishing and interactive elements in one project, it made complete sense in the end.' 

Olivia: 'I was the external communicator, in touch with our clients Anna and Marit from the BUas Climate and Sustainability team. I also contacted the voice actor, Mark, who voiced Atlas. His deep, raspy voice was perfect for the character, and he was genuinely excited to be part of the project. It all went really smoothly.' 

Do you have any memorable moments from the project? 

Yasmin: 'Definitely hearing our script come to life in the audio booth. We are used to writing articles, but hearing a voice actor perform our words was really moving. He even got a little emotional at one point, it was such a validating moment.' 

Olivia: 'There is a line in the script that really stuck with me: "When in doubt, turn to a tree." I don’t usually spend much time in nature, but working on this project made me go outside more. I kept finding myself returning to Atlas’s tree.' 

Leona: 'The ending of the tour invites you to pause and reflect on how nature listens to us, too. It might sound silly, but it really makes you stop and listen to your surroundings, even just a plant. Especially in such a fast-paced world.' 

Yasmin: 'It is also great that it is so accessible. You can do it between classes when you are overwhelmed. You don’t have to go far, nature is just around the corner.' 

Olivia: 'User testing was eye-opening. A lot of people didn’t even know certain parts of campus existed. It is nice that we have helped raise that awareness.' 

Alexandra: 'After the audio was finished, I walked the route with Leona. It was such a different experience than sitting in a room planning everything. You feel the wind, hear the birds, it all adds to the story.' 

What are your plans for the future? 

Leona: 'The audio tour launches on 22 May, which is Biodiversity Day. After that, we will see how successful it is. We are all second-year students, so we will be moving on to new projects next year. But there is a possibility this could be continued by future students.' 

Olivia: 'For us, the project ends here, but we hope it lives on.' 

Discover more 

Visit the Serenity Stroll website to learn more or experience the tour for yourself.