Charity - Arts Overview
The Grand Appeal is the official charity for Bristol Children’s Hospital. To support their fundraising efforts, they launched the iconic Gromit Unleashed sculpture trail—featuring giant, artist-designed Gromit statues across Bristol.
Element78 partnered with The Grand Appeal to create a digital experience that would enhance public engagement, drive donations, and support merchandise sales. The result was a chart-topping mobile app and integrated eCommerce platform that brought the trail to life.
Discovery & Requirements
We worked closely with The Grand Appeal team to understand their goals:
- Maximise public engagement with the trail.
- Create a fun, interactive experience for all ages.
- Generate revenue through merchandise and app sales.
- Ensure scalability and flexibility as the campaign evolved.
This insight shaped a digital-first strategy that combined creativity with commercial thinking.
Designing for Interaction
Our solution focused on:
- A mobile app—Detect-O-Gromit—that used geo-fencing to let users “collect” Gromits as they explored the city.
- A vibrant, user-friendly interface that appealed to families and fans of all ages.
- Seamless integration with an eCommerce site for merchandise and exclusive offers.
The experience was designed to be playful, rewarding, and deeply connected to the spirit of the campaign.
Development & Delivery
We delivered:
- A fully integrated mobile app and website, designed and built in-house.
- Real-time location tracking and gamification features.
- Scalable infrastructure to handle high traffic and in-app purchases.
As the campaign gained momentum, we expanded the platform with features like timed baskets and member-only deals.
Impact
This project remains a genuine highlight in our 20+ year history—combining creativity, technology, and making a real difference. The results were outstanding:
Most downloaded app in the UK during the campaign
Significant increase in donations and merchandise sales.
A memorable, city-wide experience that brought people together.
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