‘Seeing Red : Zoo Design in the 21st Century’ is a publication series aiming to combine zoological exhibit design, art theory and science. ‘Seeing Red: Illusions and Perception’, the first edition of the series is about how through the knowledge and application of art theory and human psychology, zoological exhibit designers alter the perception of modern day zoos and enhance animal welfare. Informed by Jon C. Coe’s ‘What’s the Message? Exhibit Design for Education’, David Hancock’s ‘Animals and Architecture’ and Kenneth J. Polakowski’s ‘Reality behind Wild Illusions’, this project aims to act as a platform, bringing to the forefront, the importance of zoological exhibit design to anyone from interested professionals to future zoo designers through current research.