diploma project proposal - version 1

I. THE DESIGN BRIEF

PROJECT:
To create a book targeted at children, that is a compilation of fictional stories about the moon. The children of Bangalore through workshops designed for them will generate the content for the book. The stories, accompanied by illustrations will be complied into a tactile product in the form of an interactive book.


AREA OF EXPLORATION/STUDY:
The moon for centuries has a subject of constant study and observation. Many cultures including our own have given birth to myths and legends about the moon, its origin and its purpose. In some cultures its beauty has given it godly status, causing people to bow down before it and worship it.
The mysterious object in the sky invites much fascination and sparks the imagination of people, adults and children alike. Each person has private relationship with the moon and from this relationship emerge stories each unique in its own way.

SOLUTION:
My aim through this project is to involve children in oral discussions about the moon by means of workshops, which will be facilitated by me. These workshops will be designed to make children open up by sharing what it is that draws them towards the moon and eventually tell stories about the its origin and its purpose using their imagination. These stories interspersed with already existing myths and legends about the moon from different cultures will be compiled into a product in the form of a book.

The stories will be written in both English and Kannada and will have illustrations to accompany the text. Other interactive elements like pop ups and open flaps will also be integrated into the book The attractive imagery will serve its purpose by entertaining children who are also the targeted user for the end product.

My purpose through this project is get the child actively involved in the process of storytelling. A child’s creative energy is unmatched by an adult, it is their creative process that I am interested in observing, how and why they have used the symbols that they have. I plan to hold these workshops with children from different economic backgrounds (children from Drishya and children from upper middle class families) as I m sure that stories that emerge will be of a different nature. It will be interesting to observe the differences and also the similarities between these stories.

As a student of art and design I feel that storytelling is an extremely powerful tool, which all human beings, children and adults alike respond to positively. I am also interested in children as an audience. Design can play an important role in the education of kids, and by creating the right kind of material we can encourage them to free their minds and think creatively. To involve them in the design process can be a learning experience for both them and the designer.


II. RESEARCH QUESTIONS

Subject related:

• What myths and legends exist about the moon today?
• Where and how did they originate?
• What significance does the moon carry in different cultures?
• What perceptions do children have of the moon?
• What relationship do children share with the moon?

Product related:
• What style of illustration will I use for my book?
• What interactive elements will I use? At what junction in the stories will these appear?
• What kind of paper will I use to create this book?
• How will this book be bound and packaged?


III. APPROACH/PROCESS

To begin my study of the moon I will read about literature that exists about the moon, be it myths, legends or short stories. I will observe the way the moon has been perceived by people of different cultures.
I will then design a workshop where young children will be asked to open up their perception of the moon. Over sessions I will ask them to narrate stories about the moon that the child has thought of him/herself.
I will then collect these stories and write them in English after which they will be translated in Kannada. Each story will be illustrated in a style chosen by me, with added interactive elements when required. I will create and test a mock up of the product with the targeted user group and incorporate feedback provided.
Finally I will create the actual product by printing using the chosen technique (screen printing, digital printing) and then continue with the binding and packaging.


IV. MATERIALS/RESOURCES


Internet:

People:
Children from Drishya
Children from Aditi Mallya School

Equipment:
Sound recorder, digital camera


V. LEARNING OUTCOMES

This project will give me an opportunity of having conversations / discussions with children and learn from them.
It will teach me how to take a facilitative role and lead a discussion.
It will give me experience in children book illustration.
It will help me explore the craft of creating books.