Week 11 Proposal

PDF Proposal Hand In

Finished

I have changed the original proposal document from the first part of the project and added in our new components including the tokens, token pouches, catching game, material bands, nest hunt game with beanbags and MDF rings, the orator role and rulebook. 

As I am overseas, I have sent Scott a compressed zip folder with the proposal InDesign files and PDF to add final touches too before the hand in next week. There are a few slides that will need filling in, such as the final play day assessment overview and photos of our development. The document also needs refining on the rulebook as well.

Final coloured bands

To make the coloured bands I brought some fabric in colours that we have used through out our book and other elements of our Kakariki Adventure. I cut all of the fabric up into 20 cm by 7 cm strips, I then sewed three strips together and overlocked the edges to create our bands.

Week 11 Development

Final Storybook

Finished Product

I have finished the storybook and have also included icon prompts for when each game is to be played during the narrative and also copyright of Pink Cougars to protect our story.
As I leave for Vancouver tomorrow, I will stay in contact with the group and also send the PDF document for the game proposal within the next week as well.

Final Token bags

I have brought all of the material and made up the three final token bags, one yellow, one orange and one red.
It was an idea to make it so that it could be put onto a belt, however, finding all of the right components was becoming difficult and expensive so I decided to just go with having a handle on them.

Token bag and coloured bands

I have done a few mock ups of the coloured bands to the the right width and length so that you can tie them around your ankle but no one is going to trip up on them, if they are slightly too long then they can tuck them into their shoes or tie them around their wrists.


I have also done a mock up of the token bag to see how I am going to make it, how much material I am going to need and any other extras I am going to need.

 

Week 10 Development

Final Story
 
Refine

I have finalized the story line for the book and now need to finish the spreads to go along with each paragraph:

Among the trees,

in a far away land.

Live the Kakariki,

happy and grand.

Playing in the leaves,
having lots of fun.

Kevin the Kakariki,
lays in the sun.

Living close by,
are Kevin’s best friends.
Together they fly,
Kevin, Kim and Ken.

(Ice Breaker)
(Mask Making)

Over the trees,

They fly high and low.

“What’s that in the leaves?” asks Kim,

“Oh no!”

On the ground,
they spot some cats.
Their fur is brown
and their bodies fat.

Hunting Kakariki,
are what cats do best.
The birds scramble and flee,
straight back to their nests.

The friends fly quickly,
back to their trees.
To warn their families,
about the cats in the leaves.

The Kakariki families
don’t have much time.

“The cats are coming”, yells Ken,

as they start to climb.

“Find everyone!” yells Kevin,
“We need to get going!”
“I know a safe place,
where no cats are roaming”

(Catching Game)

The Kakariki prepare,
to cross the open sea.
Taking with them in the air,
some berries and seeds.

They fly off into the sky,
away from the pests.
Together soaring high,
to find new nests.

(Sea Crossing)

After flying for hours,

they spot some land.

With trees, food and flowers,

as they reach the sand.

“This place is so nice!”,

says Ken, “Oh wow!”

The Kakariki are in paradise.
“The cats can’t find us now!”

(Tree Puzzle)

The Kakariki are safe,
and their new home is the best.
Now they look for a place,
to build their nests. 

Kevin meets Kate,

a pretty Kakariki.
Together they mate,

to start a new family.

(Nest game)

Now the Kakariki,

live wild and happy.
After crossing the sea,
the birds are safe and free.

(Final piece in the puzzle) 

Final Bird Mask

Here is what our final bird mask is going to look like, we have changed it slightly so that it is more in tune with the other drawing of our Kakariki and the illustrations in our book. Giving him bigger eyes in more of a anime style, rounded the beak off and a bigger forehead so that the kids have plenty of room to colour in the colour of their Kakariki.

what i need to do

scott
- rubber mat for sea crossing game
- rule book
- ice breaker
- nest shapes
- more bean bag

Ben
- Finnish sanding tree puzzle joints
- design tokens ready for 3D printing
- look into leaves for trees

Week 10 Class Discussion

Debrief from play testing

Critique / Refine

Feedback from Tanya:

- storybook large format - spiral bound
- could have a small version of the book for kids to take home after the game as well as their masks
- masks not feeling as a part of the whole game aesthetic - needs work 
- Kakariki Adventure - logo for the game - Sayydah
- tokens + pouches OR game activity map to stamp - think we're going with the tokens
- games were really playable 
- a lot of great comments from parents and kids about the Kakariki activities
- orator role for our game worked really well - having one person narrating the whole story
- orator role could be given to someone - parent or Sarah - scripted alongside the rulebook
- final play testing day - Sam, Scott and Sayydah not there - Ben by himself or could ask friends to come and help
- Video for final play testing - to show how the games work - doesn't have to be kids
- icebreaker - safety pins or bulldog clips

Fused shapes for Sea Crossing

I made up a full set of shapes ready to be used on Sunday when we test them with the kids from KCC. A full set is made up from 11 shapes, and eventually they are going to be in red, orange and yellow. To make them I block fused the fabric with a thick fusing, drew out the shapes, cut them out and then overlocked the edges to give them a nice, tidy finish and to stop them from fraying. It cost me about $20 to make one set of shapes.
(A couple of the shapes got a bit grubby when the kids were playing with them)

Week 9 Play Testing

KCC Event

Prototype / Critique

On Sunday we play tested our games with kids from KCC that Sarah had organized. Our group play tested the catching game, sea crossing and the nest hunt. 

For the play testing we aimed to:
- cater for different kids who like physical/ puzzle and strategy/ communication and teamwork games
- explain the process of translocation of the Kakariki - 3 main steps - catching the birds, crossing the sea to a safe new home, and finding a nest to start a family
- for the kids to have fun

We set-up our 3 games outside the Garage and Tussock, playing the catching game on the grass and the sea crossing and nest hunt on the concrete.

We tested our fused shapes for the sea crossing on level D but they were too slippery on the concrete and the carpet so we moved outside onto the more rough concrete so the shapes wouldn't slide around. Ideally the game would be played on the grass where the shapes wouldn't move around. We also found that the fused shapes blew away in the wind which made it hard to step on them as they flopped around. For this we may need to make the shapes heavier so they stay put on the ground and won't blow away. We also need to think about how we could make them less slippery for health and safety reasons - the kids could slip on them and hurt themselves. 

We had two groups of kids test our games and observed the following for each activity:

Catching game:
- first group were a lot more active and the game was faster - finished in 4 minutes
- first group of kids were more confident - a few older kids leading the groups
- second group took more time to catch all of the kids 
- probably because the kids were all younger and only a few older kids 
- second group were more shy and reserved than the first group but still participated with the help of other kids
- had to stop the game for the second group as they took longer to catch all the kids, however it still fit with the context of our game so some of the Kakariki couldn't be caught because they were so cunning and fast. 
- 3 kids at the end of the play testing said it was their favourite because it involved more physical play and running around. 

Sea Crossing:
- game went smoothly for both groups - after explaining the rules and the objective, the kids got straight into the game
- we were asked a few questions including: Can they position themselves behind the line differently to get closer to their first resource/ beanbag? Can they walk on the other teams shapes? Do they have to bring their shapes with them to the island? 
- We told the kids they were allowed to move behind the line as a part of their strategy to get their resources and that they were not allowed to walk on the other team's shapes only their own
- For the first group we didn't specify if the teams had to bring the shapes with them to the island but for the second group we said they had to bring the shapes with them - this added another aspect to the game and means that the team has to think about not leaving anything behind
- the concept of not leaving anything behind in the game also translates to not leaving anyone from your team behind/ not leaving a bird behind
- one girl suggested that we could hide the resources to make it harder as well or have more of them to grab on the way to the island
- a few kids said that this activity was the best activity for them as well which is great feedback

Nest hunt:
- both groups of kids finished the game and got all of their beanbags onto the shapes
- because the shapes were made out of cardboard we had to tape them down to make sure they didn't blow away or move 
- we will need to re-think what the shapes are made out of - laser cut MDF? and also could be rings instead of full shapes
- beanbags worked really well - especially having them colour coded
- will need more beanbags for each team to keep the game flowing
- 4 kids told us that this game was their favourite

Overall:
- the fact that a range of kids said that each activity were their favourite is exactly what we wanted from the play testing as we want to cater for every child and their way of playing
- the games all worked very well and there weren't many problems
- one mother came up to us and said our activities were the best of the day and that she will use the games for birthday party activities with lollies - which is really encouraging, that the games were so successful that parents want to play them again for other events
- Our Kakariki activities also won best teamwork game of the day which is awesome and also what we were aiming for - kids to work together in teams to reach objectives and make it through challenges

Things to do after this play testing:
- re-think the fused material shapes for the sea crossing game - how can we eliminate the slipping
- nest hunt shapes - MDF laser cut rings to relate more to the nests
- more beanbags

Week 9 Storybook Development

Storybook Spreads continued

Make / Refine

The following are the 3rd and 4th spreads for the storybook:

Week 9 Meetup

Pop-in with Tanya

Critique

As we didn't have class yesterday, we arranged a meeting with Tanya before the Sunday play testing with the KCC kids. 

We showed Tanya our development including:

- new birdhouse tree puzzle
- fused shapes for sea crossing
- material bands
- token pouch
- bean bags
- storybook illustrations

We talked about how to make our game world more cohesive in terms of the design elements, by keeping the design of each component consistent with the narrative and over arching design.

Other feedback comments we received were:
- does the tree/ birdhouse fit into a piece of MDF to hold it in place - the MDF could be a circle and have token shapes cut out of it as well, which would solve our problem of how to attach the tokens to the tree
- Sea crossing shapes - might need to put some tape onto the bottom of the shapes so they don't slide around on the ground when the kids stand on them
- beanbags are effective - need to keep them consistent with the overall design of the game - triangle one doesn't fit the style, possibly a rounded shape instead
- storybook illustrations are coming along nicely - friendly and relatable with a consistent style made of shapes and bright colours

Week 9 Group Meeting

Development

Refine / Critique

As a group we discussed what we have for the Sunday play testing day. Scott made prototypes of the beanbags and we decided on a triangular or prism shaped beanbag. Sam is still working on the sea crossing shapes and the material bands for the catching game, as well as the pouch. Ben made another tree out of old wood and the finish is a lot nicer than the MDF. I showed the rest of the group the development of the book and everyone agrees with the illustration style. 

For Thursday's meeting with Tanya we want to show the following:

- Sea crossing fused shapes
- Material bands for catching game
- Pouch for tokens
- Token designs
- Beanbags
- Book spreads
- Rope
- Rule book 

For the tokens, we also thought about health and safety and how some children could potentially put the tokens in their mouths and choke on them. This means that the tokens will need to be big enough to not fit in their mouths and be a choking hazard. We also thought about how they would fit in or on the tree - we discussed the idea of velcro and also hanging the tokens off of the tree branches. We are leaning towards velcro as it gives the kids an idea of what would go in certain places on the tree. This also means that the trees for each team will look different. 

We also talked about the layout of the book. At first we wanted the book to be landscape and A3 but after designing the spreads, the amount of space on the landscape spreads was too much to fill and looked quite awkward. The size of the book would also be problem, as the KCO who is reading the story to the kids would have to hold the book awkwardly. To solve this, we are now doing an A3 portrait book. 

Scott bought 20 meters of rope to test the island boundaries and we decided that the rope should be cut into 5m long parts. 3 for the islands and the last 5m for the hoop shapes for the egg throwing game. 

Sam is going to Spotlight today to buy fabric for the sea crossing shapes, as well as the material bands and pouches to show Tanya tomorrow and also for Sunday testing.

Week 8 Development

Storybook Progress

Ideate / Make

From the skype session with Tanya, we talked about the style of the storybook and continuing on with designing the spreads. I have started to rhyme more of the story and have come up with:

Among the trees,
in a far away land.
Live the Kakariki,
happy and grand.

Playing in the leaves,
having lots of fun,
Kevin the Kakariki,
lays in the sun.

Living close by,
are Kevin's best friends.
Together they fly,
Kevin, Kim and Ken.

Over the trees,
they fly high and low.
"What's that in the leaves?", asks Ken.
"Oh no!"

On the ground,
they spot some cats.
Their fur is brown,
and their bodies are fat.

Hunting Kakariki
are what cats do best.
The birds scramble and flee,
straight back to their nests. 

For the first two spreads I have designed the illustrations:

Rope

 

Had a look at some rope and some pricing which would be used for the islands at the end of the sea crossing game and possibly the boundary for the capture the bird game.



This rope would be best suited for what we want to create.


The yellow rope is a good thickness but the bright yellow isnt quiet the look that we are going for.


This white rope is more of a cord and is too thin.

Week 8 Skype Session

Feedback

Critique

From the skype session with Tanya today we got a lot of feedback on our game world and what is needed by next week:

- more designs/ rough mock ups of each element
- resources needed for the play testing day next saturday 
- details for 14th May play testing day - morning or afternoon - 1pm onward
- refine birdhouse - use recycled timber/ found wood instead of MDF
- play test a few aspects of the game world - not the whole thing
- book illustration style is coming along - the example of the bird journey map is effective
- who is doing what?
- really need to get a move on with mock-ups so we can refine and finesse the elements for hand-in

Rule Book Draft

Rule Book


- First page
  Ice Breaker (Find My Friends)

  In this game your aim is to find your bird friend.
  By the end of this game you will be in groups.

  1: The KCO will put a head band on your head.
  2: you have to find birds with the same colour.
  3: There is no talking aloud, but you can make bird noises.
  4: you are not allowed to look at the colour that is on your head.


-Second page
 Make your Mask

 This is a mask making game where the kids are handed the materials
 to create their very own Kakariki bird mask.

 1: The KCO will hand you a paper cutout of a mask and beak
 2: build the mask
 3: colour in the mask using the available colours


-Third page
 Capture the Bird

 This game is played in your teams and together your aim is to catch the
 bids of the other two teams.

 1: The KCO will attach two velcro strips to your waist
 2: Stay inside the marked off area
 3: Try to rip the strips off the birds in the other teams
 4: When one of your strips is ripped off, pick it up and go outside the
     area where one of the KCOs will rap that strip around your ankle,
     after the strap is put on to your ankle, you may re-enter the area.
 5: After both strips have been ripped off your waist you are out and must leave the game area.



-fourth page
 River Crossing

 The river crossing is a game in which you have to cross a river whilst avoiding both pests (the  
 parents), and stepping into the water.

Aim:
to get across the river and to one of the many islands without falling in

you will have to use teamwork to get across the river successfully

Rules:
1: every team starts off with the same types of shapes
2: number of shapes depends on team size e.g. 5 people = 6 shapes , 8 people =9 shapes
3: only one person can stand on a shape
4: can move the shapes anywhere
5: only one team per island
6: island is mapped out with rope

Hunter mode:
Hunters will be off the side trying to hit you with a ball, if u get hit u must all start again


-Fifth page
 Puzzle

 The puzzle consists of 4 peices that, put together, make a tree.

 Aim: to complete the puzzle

 Rules
 1: in a team successfully put together pieces given by KCOs
 2: puzzle must form the shape of a tree



 Sixth page
 Golden Egg Challenge

 in turns your team attempts to throw a bean bag into 3 hoops consecutively that each get further
 away, and finally into a fourth hoop, which contains the golden egg that they then race to fit into the
 hole in their puzzle tree.

 Aim:

Play Testing Day

Things to do

Ideate / Make

For the play testing day next Saturday we have discussed testing three of our activities with the kids. We are going to test the catching game, the sea crossing and the egg hunt. 

For these activities, we need a few resources done by next Saturday:

- Sea crossing fused shapes - 11 shapes per colour (red, yellow and orange) - Sam
- Rope - Find a quote for price
- Cones? But not cones .. to map out boundaires
- Beanbags - for egg hunt and sea crossing resources - Scott
- Hoola hoops - Scott
- Material bands - Sam
- Pouch - Sam
- Tokens - Ben and Sayydah
- Book - Sayydah

Health and Safety

When working with children you have to consider the health and safety around the activities that you are going to be partaking in. The KCC is a type of organization, like a club or day care, this means that they have to follow the health and safety bill that is currently in place for New Zealand. After the health and safety bill update that happened in April, more responsibility has been put on supervisors, managers and over seeing staff members, making more people responsible if something goes wrong to try and get more action taken before the event.
For KCC it means that the KCO can be directly responsible if something were to happen. In the case of KCC, the KCO just has to make sure that they have looked at preventing anything that could happen, they arnt trying to stop children from playing or having fun, just to stop stupid mistakes happening.
There is more information in the links below.

http://www.health.govt.nz/our-work/health-workforce/childrens-action-plan-childrens-worker-safety-checking-and-child-protection-policies

http://www.childrensactionplan.govt.nz/childrens-workforce/child-protection-policies/

felt kakariki

rough mockup of the kakariki made out of felt the could be part of the storybook (cover?)

Week 7 Inspiration

Examples of illustration styles

Research

To help with the composition of the spreads in the story book I've looked at other illustration styles for inspiration: