A Video Game to Save Endangered Species

HOW CHANGEMAKERS HELPED INSPIRE THE NEXT GENERATION OF ANIMAL PROTECTORS

Extincts CIC are concerned with the rapid loss of biodiversity through deforestation and other harmful human activities. They think that the planet is out of balance due to impossible rates of consumption of natural resources.

Extincts exists to mobilise the next generation of animal protectors. Their digital collectibles game teaches kids about endangered animals and their habitats. They believe that gaming is the gateway to education that sticks.

Through Extincts, kids can learn to empathise with all the incredible creatures that share our planet. They also support conservation charities, as 70% of profits from the game and clothing range go to organisations protecting the precious species that share our planet 💚🌱♻️🌍

HOW WE MAKE CHANGE

Extincts were looking for volunteers to help them with Marketing, Writing and Design in order to address the Sustainable Development Goals of Quality Education (SDG 4), Climate Action (SDG 13), Life Below Water (SDG 14), Life on Land (SDG 15) and Responsible Consumption and Production (SDG 12).

We connected them with ChangeMakers from four different countries. Here’s how they’ve helped 🙌

“SEEING CLOTHES WITH MY ILLUSTRATIONS PRINTED ON THEM BRINGS SO MUCH JOY, AS IT IS AN AMAZING WAY TO PROMOTE THE TOPIC OF ENDANGERED ANIMALS”

Kiki Buchaniec 🇵🇱

‘My name is Kiki Buchaniec, and I am from Poland. I am an award-winning London-based illustrator and printmaker. I studied illustration in London and graphic design in Edinburgh, but my first teacher was my father who taught me how to design and craft printmaking since I was six years old.

I have been digitising most of my artworks for the European Medicines Agency, the WHO and the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA). My creative inspirations are animals and elements of nature.

At Extincts, I have been creating beautiful portraits of endangered animal species using watercolour technique. It has been so rewarding to take part in a project with a mission. Seeing clothes with my illustrations printed on them brings so much joy as it is an amazing way to promote the topic of endangered animals. It also brings awareness to the game created by Extincts. As I personally find animals very inspiring to draw and paint, I enjoyed every moment of the process from the research phase through creating drafts to final versions.’

“EVERY TIME I WAS CREATING A SOCIAL MEDIA POST I LEARNED ABOUT A NEW ENDANGERED ANIMAL AND THE THREATS THEY FACE”

Dumidu Pathirana 🇱🇰

‘My name is Dumidu Pathirana. I was born in Rome, Italy, and raised in Colombo, Sri Lanka. I recently graduated with a technical degree in Interactive Multimedia. I am a passionate soul currently working as a freelance Graphic/UX designer. I’ve always tried to do my best wherever I go and for whatever project I participate in.

At Extincts, I have been working alongside other ChangeMakers. A talented writer and a talented graphic illustrator.

We have been working on a series of social media content with the aim of raising awareness about the endangered animals listed on the IUCN Red List.

For me personally, working on this project has been very educational. Every time I was creating a social media post I learned about a new endangered animal and the threats they face.’

RAIHANA RAFFI 🇮🇳

‘My name is Raihana Raffi and I am originally from India, but currently residing in Abu Dhabi. I hold a BA in Animation and Graphic Design. I have since worked as a Graphic Designer. I always wanted to make a change through my design skills and Extincts gave me that opportunity.

At Extincts, I had the opportunity to create the designs for their Christmas t-shirt edition. I feel happy about being a part of an important cause, creating awareness of endangered species and doing my part to protect the planet. Seeing the designs that I created being printed onto t-shirts and hoodies also gave me a feeling of accomplishment as an artist.’

LUIS SALVATERRA 🇬🇧

‘My name is Luis Salvaterra and I am from the United Kingdom. I am currently finishing my final year of university studying marketing and international business. I like being involved in CSR projects and how businesses can be ethically conscious.

At Extincts, I have been using my marketing skills to help communicating with customers in an effective and efficient way. I have been using research to understand the audience Extincts wants to reach. 

The experience has been interesting, as I have had the opportunity to see how a for profit business that focuses on CSR operates internally. As well as the little components that make up a successful e-commerce business.’

“EXTINCTS HAS GIVEN ME THE UNIQUE OPPORTUNITY NOT ONLY TO WRITE, BUT TO HELP MAKE A DIFFERENCE WITH THE ISSUES I AM MOST PASSIONATE ABOUT”

Zachary Reeve 🇬🇧

‘My name is Zachary and I am from Dorset in the United Kingdom. I am a recent English graduate from the University of Reading and I want to combine my love of writing and language to create content that makes a difference and helps to spread the word about important issues. I am particularly passionate about animal welfare and environmentalism and want to be at the forefront of efforts to improve the state of our planet and the animals living in it.

I've been contributing articles to Extincts with the goal of helping to educate the next generation of animal protectors. I try to combine fact-based, educational content, with a fun and informal style, to help introduce conservation to young people and anyone else who wants to know more about the topic but does not know where to start.

I have really enjoyed being a part of a team whose values are aligned with my own and have loved seeing how cooperation towards a shared goal can help to make a genuine impact. Extincts has given me the unique opportunity not only to write, which is what I love to do, but to help make a difference with the issues I am most passionate about.’

RESULT

“We Make Change have connected us with some amazingly generous volunteers who have helped Extincts CIC enormously. We Make Change have been a dream to work with and have made the process so simple and rewarding.”

LYNNE HADDOW
CO-FOUNDER, EXTINCTS

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