Here we have a few wireframes (+notes) as my final prototype, where i explored how a potential user flow could look like.
Next we have a video with only some short remarks about the final results, since I went a bit more in depth about it in my last blog post.
The following aspects are things I took into account while working on my prototype so far:
Audio Features
I decided to focus on a younger target group (4-6 year-olds) for this prototype since I plan on having two main target groups. The children in this group either can’t read yet or just started learning, which means the app relies on the audio features and needs a narrator to explain everything to the children. The audios can be played again and again to ensure that everything was heard and the kids understood the information/tasks.
Object Size
I made sure that all of the buttons and objects the children would need to interact with are big enough, since their aim isn’t as precise as that of adults. This also results in fewer distractions on the screen, since the screen space is limited and not that much can fit on it.
Seasonal Quests
In order for there to be a bigger incentive to play regular, there will be seasonal quests with tasks that are only possible during that season, meaning the quests have a timeframe in which they can be solved. This means there could be tasks revolving around flowers and plants that are currently blooming or the color of the trees’ leafs for example.
Besides the seasonal quests there will be a normal single player and multiplayer mode.
In the next steps I will make wireframes to show how the gap between presenting useful information and giving tasks related to that information could potentially be bridged.
I started the prototyping process by going through all of my old blog posts and gathered the most important takeaways in a separate document. The pictures of already existing apps and my thoughts on them were especially helpful. I noticed how I only focused on app functionality and how I had not looked into interfaces for children, so that’s what I did next.
One app that caught my attention was Duolingo ABC, which was designed for children ages 3 to 7 years old. Duolingo ABC aims to teach children the basics of reading and writing in a fun and interactive way. It covers fundamental literacy skills like letter recognition, phonics, spelling, and basic reading comprehension. The app incorporates gamification elements, colorful visuals, and engaging activities to make learning enjoyable for young children.
Sources:
https://abc.duolingo.com
In her TED talk, Nilda Cosco shares how nature can teach children some great lessons. She believes that letting kids explore the natural world can have a positive impact on their growth and development.
She highlights a few important lessons that children can learn from nature. One is the idea of interdependence—how everything in nature is connected and relies on each other to survive. Kids can learn about their place in the world and the importance of teamwork.
Cosco also talks about how being in nature engages all of our senses. Children can touch, smell, listen, and observe the natural world, which helps them understand and appreciate it more.
She brings up resilience too, comparing the adaptability of plants and animals in nature to the resilience that children can develop. Nature teaches them to problem-solve and keep going even when faced with challenges.
Another point she makes is the value of free play in nature. Kids can use their imagination and creativity in unstructured play outdoors, which boosts their cognitive skills, problem-solving abilities, and social interactions.
Cosco wraps up by urging everyone to create more opportunities for children to connect with nature. She believes that schools, parents, and communities should prioritize nature-based experiences and create environments that inspire curiosity, wonder, and respect for the natural world.
Overall, it was an interesting talk that emphasizes how nature can teach children some life lessons. By giving kids the chance to explore and interact with the natural world, their sense of teamwork, sensory awareness, resilience, and creativity can be nurtured. It’s about fostering a generation of kids who truly care about and want to protect the environment which is something i want to keep in mind while working on this project.
Source:
“Kaia the Kākā” is an interactive adventure set in Central Park where participants can help a virtual Kākā parrot named Kaia and her chicks. The goal is to ensure their safety by overcoming challenges and obstacles in the park. Participants need a phone with internet access and the Facebook Messenger app installed in order to play the game. It can only be played in Wellington, New Zealand since everything is located there. Starting at the main gates of Central Park, participants follow a race against time, visiting various points in the park to aid Kaia and her young. During the adventure, participants search for clues, uncover hidden artworks, and interact with Kaia through the chatbot on Facebook Messenger. They can send Kaia photos of artworks, signs, and clues and answer challenges presented by the chatbot. It’s important for an adult to accompany the kids and manage their interactions through Facebook Messenger. All messages with the chatbot are private and it is recommended to have no more than two users per device to avoid any conflicts. The adventure is free of cost, and participants are advised to bring snacks and water to stay energized throughout the experience.
I personally think it would be good to make it web based so that having a facebook account isn’t necessary. Other than that, I believe Kaia the Kākā to be a great approach to the gamification of nature for children.
Sources:
https://events.stuff.co.nz/the-press/2019/kaia-the-k-k-family-adventure-in-nature/wellington
https://naturethrougharts.files.wordpress.com/2019/04/kaia-the-kaka-report-oct-2018-final-pdf-1.pdf
Fratz Graz is a youth and family center that offers a lot of engaging activities, events, and programs which foster a connection between the children and their surroundings and gives them a sense of community.
Children and teenagers can immerse themselves in arts and crafts workshops, where they can paint, draw, sculpt, and create something. The center’s instructors and mentors encourage self-expression and help the kids’ interests.
Fratz Graz understands the importance of active play and the benefits it brings to children’s physical and mental well-being. With a range of sports activities the center invites kids to engage in friendly competitions, develop their motor skills, and embrace a healthy lifestyle.
The center also hosts acting workshops and music classes, offering opportunities to learn different instruments, vocal techniques, and even songwriting.
Furthermore, Fratz Graz acts as a community hub with their monthly program and events. Picnics in the park, excursions by bike, and community gatherings allow parents, children, and teenagers to come together.
Lastly, they are bringing children and nature closer together not only through outdoor activities but also through environmentally cautious activities such as upcycling workshops.
Sources:
Mission: Explore is a successful book series that was developed by the Geography Collective. Their goal is to encourage children to explore the outdoors.
Pros:
Mission: Explore features a diverse range of missions that are either set in or are about the outdoors. Constructing miniature rafts or crafting nature-inspired artwork for example.
It cultivates curiosity and critical thinking by engaging children in observation and investigation. Through active exploration of their surroundings, children learn to analyze and make sense of the world and furthering cognitive abilities.
The flexibility of Mission: Explore ensures that it is applicable in different surroundings, including urban, suburban, and rural settings. By offering missions that can be adapted to any environment, the project serves as a valuable resource for children worldwide.
Cons:
The availability and accessibility of Mission: Explore books and resources may vary, depending on geographical location and distribution channels. This could be a challenge for people who don’t have easy access to the materials.
Mission: Explore reduces the dependence on screens. While this aspect encourages direct engagement with nature, children who are accustomed to digital activities may lose interest quickly. A Mission:Explore app could be the solution for this problem.
Sources:
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/289792890_Curiosity_and_fieldwork
I listened to many interesting people at the OFFF Barcelona 2023. They all were successful in their own right and had worked on really cool projects. But the most important thing I take with me from this experience, is how people treat and portray their success.
Jamhot and Rubén Alvarez for example showed so much humility and grace when it came to their success. They were open about their struggles and failures and it was obvious that their intention was to connect with the audience. Rubén Alvarez even set up his whole presentation so that the people would get to know him and what shaped him as a person. He talked about the positive and negative sides of his home country Mexico, his struggles as a kid, his studies that were unrelated to design, his attempt to break into the music industry, and his failed barber shop, just to name a few. Alvarez described how his design style evolved and how an accidental viral post on Instagram made him realize that his goal in life is to connect with people. This goal was so obvious throughout his whole talk and everyone I spoke to afterwards really enjoyed the talk for the same reasons I did.
Joshua Davis was also really honest in his talk. He outright said that he did certain things just for the money in order to keep making the art that he enjoyed and felt fulfilled by. He experimented a lot and one could tell that he really enjoyed what he was doing. This transparency was really refreshing, especially after listening to some people who were just showing the highlights of their careers. What i disliked about Davis’ talk though was the structure. He went through each year of his entire career which was a bit exhausting to listen to especially the first half where a lot of the things he showed were very similar.
Lastly, i also want to touch on how David Carson presented himself and how he portrayed his success. This was a talk we discussed for a long time afterwards because we were so negatively surprised by what we witnessed. The beginning felt like someone was showing you their screenshot folder of funny things they see on the internet and when Carson finally started to talk about his work it felt like he didn’t really want to be there and that we should be grateful for all crumbs he was giving us. Maybe I feel this way because I wasn’t familiar with him as a person but to me this was very disrespectful towards the audience. I don’t like how he treated his success and how entitled he felt to do and say whatever he wanted because people were accepting it.
Joshua Davis
Rubén Alvarez
Jamhot
ID Task 2: Literature Research
For this task i choose the article Debris: A playful interface for direct manipulation of audio waveforms published in 2021 by Frederic Anthony Robinson. It gives an overview of Debris which as the title suggests is a fun and intuitive software interface for manipulating audio waveforms. Its playful and engaging design aims to make audio editing a more creative and enjoyable process. The direct manipulation tools and real-time feedback help users understand the effects of their actions on the waveform. This encourages the user to experiment more throughout their creative process.
The interface is user-friendly, with clearly labeled tools and easy access to different features. The variety of tools available, such as looping, reversing, and layering tracks, provide users with many options for creating unique audio effects.
However, Debris may not be suitable for more advanced audio editing tasks due to its limited functionality. It is also only available as a standalone application for macOS, which limits its accessibility for some users.
Overall, Debris is a good tool for anyone looking to experiment with audio editing in a fun and intuitive way. It is well-suited for beginners and anyone looking for a creative audio editing experience.
The Luc Hoffmann Institute is taking an interesting approach to nature conservation by using gamification. They want to make it fun and interactive for people, especially kids, to get involved in protecting the planet’s resources. The idea is to make educational games that teach kids about different species and habitats, and other experiences that allow them to participate in virtual conservation efforts. They generate funding through the sale of these games. Players purchase access to these games, and the funds are directed towards real-life conservation projects.
By making conservation more entertaining and accessible, the Institute is hoping to inspire a new generation of environmental advocates. They believe that by engaging kids in conservation through games, they can create a lasting impact and help ensure a better future.
While gamification may raise awareness and generate funds, it may not have a significant impact on the actual conservation efforts. It’s suggested that more direct and targeted approaches are needed to truly protect and preserve our planet’s natural resources. Lastly, I don’t think that many people are interested in purchasing games when there are so many free ones available.
Sources: