Model

Selection-Rejection Report

To solve the problem of teenagers not knowing enough about nutrition, I designed three separate alternative solutions for a board game to teach and test the nutritional knowledge of these teenagers. Below are the three designs which I am considering, along with how each game design is played and the pros and cons of each solution.

The first solution for my board game is a square board where the path is traveling along the edge of the board in a clockwise direction. (See above) Players land on either a question space or an activity space. When a question is answered correctly, they must collect a piece of food and continue collecting food until their plate is full. The board will fold vertically in the middle. It will be packaged in a box containing all pieces needed for play. The box with be designed with the same graphics as are on the board game.

The pros to this game design include many different graphics. This is appealing to look at and gives the players different things to look at. Also, the graphics used are made up of food from the food groups which are most readily eaten among teenagers. There are two different categories of cards, one for activities and one for questions. This makes the game more interactive for the player, making it more fun. Another pro to the design of Solution 1 is that it can be easily understood. Players can easily recognize that when they land on a certain space, they must pick up a card from the corresponding pile.

The only possible cons I can see at this point include the time of play varying greatly. The game could last a long time or a very short time, depending on how much knowledge the players have about nutrition. Also, the sides of the game seem to be cluttered by graphics while the middle of the board is vacant.

The second solution for my board game is a square board where the path is a winding trail. Players must travel the board game from start to finish, while answering questions about fast food, food in supermarkets and general nutrition. The board will fold vertically in the middle. It will be packaged in a box containing all the needed pieces for play. The box will be designed using the same graphics as are on the board.

Pros to this design include a unique path to follow (see design above). Also, the words healthy choices are successful at grabbing attention of the players. The game is overall appealing to look at, whether it be the board as a whole or the individual graphics. Also, this game is easy to play. The players pick up the question cards corresponding to the spaces on the game path.

Possible cons to this game include lots of empty space on the game. Also, the time of play for the game is too short. There are too many spaces on the game board. Finally, the graphics are all facing different directions, making it confusing to look at.

The third solution for my board game design is a triangle shape with colored spaces. (See above) Players travel clockwise around the board, answering questions corresponding to the colors of the spaces on the board. When a player gets a question correct, they collect a color piece. A player winds when they collect all five color pieces. The board will fold vertically in the middle. It will be packaged in a box containing all needed pieces for play. The box will be designed using different shapes and colors as well as the name of the game.

Pros to this design include a unique board shape. Also, the design incorporates many colors, making it very attention grabbing.

I can see several cons in this design. First, the colors don’t all mix very well together. There are no graphics, making it less appealing to look at. Also, all of the game spaces are different shapes and sizes. Finally, there are too many categories, making it very difficult to land on each color to collect the pieces.

For my final solution, I chose Solution One. When I asked various members in my class which design they found most appealing, they unanimously chose solution one. Also, when checking the specifications for the board game, this design met every specification. Solution One is the design which has the most pros, and the least cons. Also, this was the only solution where the problem was fixable. I can be sure to make the questions of varying difficulties so the time of play won’t be too long. Also, I’ll ensure to include questions straight from the text books from a nutrition class for middle school students. If I had picked a different solution as my final game board design, I wouldn’t have been able to fix the problems pointed out in the con list as easily. I would have had to make major design changes in each solution. As I go on, I could easily make small changes in my game if needed. I feel that for now, this is the best solution to my problem.

Solution # 3

How to Play:
Start at the spot with the arrow. Roll the die and follow the game in a clockwise direction. Go around the triangular shaped game board, answering questions which correspond with the colors on the game board. When you answer a question correct, you receive a color piece. The winner is the first player to collect one of each color piece.

Solution # 2

How to Play:
Everyone chooses a game piece and begins on the START box. Players roll die in turn, and answer questions corresponding question cards to the spaces they land on. The questions pertain either to home cooked meals, fast food items or items found in a supermarket. You can’t move on to a new space until you correctly answer a question. First person to reach the Finish box first wins.

Solution # 1

How to Play:

Everyone chooses a game piece and begins at the GO spot. Players roll dice in turn, answering corresponding question cards to the spaces they land on. When you get a question correct, you keep the card. You must obtain one of every card in order to win. These cards represent the food groups and other important aspects of nutrition. Continue going around the board game in a clockwise direction until the first person collects all six cards.

brainstorming

Above are three brainstorming designs for my board game. In each game, you move through the game board, answering questions about nutrition and healthy choices. Below is a more detailed brainstorming page about one specific board game design.

Listed on this brainstorming page are possible game pieces and a simple outline of how to play the game. Below are three brainstorming ideas for the design of my board game. In the first, you go around the board, answering questions and you have to collect the different cards before you can win. In the second brainstorming idea, you follow the path answering questions until the first person reaches the end point. In the third design, again you follow the path until the first person reaches the ending spot.