Spring 2022
7 weeks
7 weeks
The_Game of Design_ is a digital board-game of a designer’s journey
The AIGA Design Census is a comprehensive report of 9432 entries that provides factual and emotional aspects of the design industry. Our team wanted to showcase the intricate levels of data by creating an interactive board-game that allows designers to learn more about their place in the community.
I was responsible for developing branding, illustrations, and UI/UX prototypes
Team
Dorothy Li
Maggie Ma
Dorothy Li
Maggie Ma
Skills
Branding
Illustration
Web Design
Data Visualization
Branding
Illustration
Web Design
Data Visualization
Concept - A Digital Board Game
As designers, we go on unique journeys to grow and discover ourselves. Our board game visualizes realities of the design industry by curating personalized game play based on the user’s background in design.
How might we educate designers about their place in the current industry?
As designers, we go on unique journeys to grow and discover ourselves. Our board game visualizes realities of the design industry by curating personalized game play based on the user’s background in design.
The Site
The site uses characters of a board game for players to navigate, with each block sparking an interaction. To create a sense of unpredictability, the overall board is hidden until the user reaches each block.
The site uses characters of a board game for players to navigate, with each block sparking an interaction. To create a sense of unpredictability, the overall board is hidden until the user reaches each block.
Landing Page
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Instruction Page
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Instruction Page
User Flow
Interacting with Data
The user navigates through 25 blocks of the board by interacting with cards that appear on each block. By inputing their answers on the cards, the user gather stickers as a reward. As the final takeaway, the user would receive a personalized sticker collection to learn more about the statistics related to themselves, to and share with other people.
Interacting with Data
The user navigates through 25 blocks of the board by interacting with cards that appear on each block. By inputing their answers on the cards, the user gather stickers as a reward. As the final takeaway, the user would receive a personalized sticker collection to learn more about the statistics related to themselves, to and share with other people.
Card Type 01
About Me Card
About Me Card
Invites user to input answers based on personal experience and background.
Click to view variations
Card Type 02
Reward Card
Reward Card
Presents user with a reward scenario, in which they will learn facts about the industry and earn a happy face sticker.
Click to view variations
Card Type 03
Obstacle Card
Obstacle Card
Presents user with an obstacle scenario, in which they will learn facts about the industry and have a happy face sticker taken away.
Click to view variations
Card Type 04
Quote Card
Introduces a quote by real designers that has a personal voice about the design industry.
Click to view variations
Card Type 05
Risk Card
Risk Card
Presents user with a situation with different outcomes based on their choice. The backside of card will display corresponding data of the outcome.
Click to view variations
Ending the Journey with Purpose
After navigating though all of the blocks, the final screen shows all the stickers that the user has collected along the way. When hovering over the sticker, users would be reminded of the statistics related to their choices throughout the journey.
Completion page
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Visual System
Creating a Playful Identity of the Board Game
The combination of a game-like typeface and vibrant colors helped form a lighthearted mood of playing a board game. The supporting stickers and cards are designed in a simple yet quirky approach to provide an additional personality to the brand. Finally, we used different methods of data visualization to show variety in the different types of cards.
Creating a Playful Identity of the Board Game
The combination of a game-like typeface and vibrant colors helped form a lighthearted mood of playing a board game. The supporting stickers and cards are designed in a simple yet quirky approach to provide an additional personality to the brand. Finally, we used different methods of data visualization to show variety in the different types of cards.
Initial Research
Working with the AIGA Dataset
Before designing, our team studied the dataset by finding correlations between the different categories. We were especially curious about a designer’s satisfaction with their work, and we compared the satisfaction levels with categories like job title, salary, years of experience, and gender.
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The Concept
The Board Game Narrative
Our team decided on creating a digital board game as it illustrates a metaphor of an unpredictable yet charming journey with challenges and surprises. We saw the opportunity of integrating different interactions that leads to unique outcomes of the journey.
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Working with the AIGA Dataset
Before designing, our team studied the dataset by finding correlations between the different categories. We were especially curious about a designer’s satisfaction with their work, and we compared the satisfaction levels with categories like job title, salary, years of experience, and gender.
The Concept
The Board Game Narrative
Our team decided on creating a digital board game as it illustrates a metaphor of an unpredictable yet charming journey with challenges and surprises. We saw the opportunity of integrating different interactions that leads to unique outcomes of the journey.
Moodboard
When designing the layout of the board, we focused on finding a desirable proportion of the board, cards, and collected stickers. We settled on a layout with the overview of the board for users to keep track of the journey while focusing on the interactions with the cards. 
Layout exploration
Reflection
This project allowed me to explore data visualization with a highly visual approach by creating a digital game. It was interesting to explore integrating the customization aspect of the game into learning opportunities. After establishing the visual system and flow of the board, I learned to shift into an asset-based workflow, in which the assets will be delivered to the developer.
If more time is allowed, I would explore more micro interactions such as sticker animations and moving hints that would keep the experience engaging throughout the journey.
This project allowed me to explore data visualization with a highly visual approach by creating a digital game. It was interesting to explore integrating the customization aspect of the game into learning opportunities. After establishing the visual system and flow of the board, I learned to shift into an asset-based workflow, in which the assets will be delivered to the developer.
If more time is allowed, I would explore more micro interactions such as sticker animations and moving hints that would keep the experience engaging throughout the journey.
© CHARMAINE QIU 2023