Fairy Borough: Award winning mobile app

Fairy Borough (Basna Bajka Burg, Croatian title) is an award winning interactive mobile app that brings Zagreb to life through geolocation-triggered audio fairy tales. Users unlock whimsical stories by simply exploring the city, therefore creating a playful, and poetic connection between space, story, and imagination.

Through design, Basteleur, an imaginative, storybookinspired typeface from Velvetyne foundry, was paired with the highly legible and accessible DM Sans to hit a balance between decorative charm and everyday usability.

Visually, the brand is warm, detailed, and inviting; full of personality, but never overwhelming. It’s aimed at children first, with elements that feel almost toy-like: playful, tactile, and fun to explore. At the same time, it supports parents, offering clear navigation, intuitive structure, and a friendly tone that encourages co-useand shared discovery.

The original app functioned more like an MVP: built to work, but not to create any kind of meaningful experience. Usability was limited, and the interface lacked both clarity and charm. As part of the redesign, we reimagined the entire UX and UI from the ground up.

Focus was on creating a visually rich and intuitive user experience that feels magical and familiar at the same time. Inspired by old fairy tale books, we introduced subtle ornaments and decorative elements to evoke nostalgia, but translated all of it into a clean, modern digital experience. (think fairy tale vibe with the ease of today’s most user-friendly apps)

Navigation was completely reworked:

Simplified user flows for both children and parents

Interactive map view for location-based story discovery

Menu layouts and search filters to support faster search and clearer orientation

Kindergarten info sections and visually enhanced character illustrations to keep kids engaged

Beyond design, accessibility was a key focus. We implemented sign language integration and English translations to make the stories available to a broader audience and ensure inclusivity. The result is an app that’s not only easier and more fun to use, but one that feels like a true extension of the storytelling world it brings to life.