Design for development: Meco
The brief
This aim of this project was to identify a problem that would be solved in the form of game. This required intensive primary and secondary research into game play as well as how children in the age range of 6-8 years old perceive the world and hence forth interact with their surroundings as well as problems they encounter. After conducting this research, the goal was to translate what had been gathered into a mobile game which would help solve the identified problem.
Deliverables
1. Process documentation
- Initial research
- Visual identity development
- Game development and prototyping
- Rationale
- Reflection
2. Design solution
3. Presentation
Rationale
For this project, we identified the need for children to make connections. We are all too familiar with the problem of children with their noses stuck in their phones, tablets and TV screens. Through our research, we found that children have a good amount of knowledge about the environment not only from school, but from home and from the videos they watch online. Meco aims to encourage children to get back out into nature and form connections with their parents and friends in their close circles and thus forming larger communities and more importantly connections which are not through an electronic device. Meco presents children with challenges which they have to complete in order to achieve a goal and earn a reward. This game relies on both intrinsic and extrinsic motivation, through striving to collect more and more badges but also to gain more insight into the environment through fun and educational missions and facts.
Contributions
The contributions for this project were evenly spread. Natalie Comrie designed the user interface (buttons, logo and layout etc.) while Callum Gericke handled the 3D renders (trees and backgrounds) and design of the badges.
Process documentation
For this deliverable, please click here to view the full process documentation
Design solution
Badges
3D renders/Imagery
Final screens
Presentation
