Test Your Fate: Manual Development

In order to develop the simplified manual design further, I've explored how different routes/job roles can be incorporated within the holes of the machine. Due to the varying size/length of the different options, repeating the word to fill the space surrounding the whole worked best as simply making the text larger looked unrefined and messy (see figure 1). Furthermore throughout these experiements, GT Pressura Pro M has been used due to its height x-height giving it a more scientific/instructional aesthetic. Two approaches to the machine have been taken as previously discussed, looking at the idea of repeating the game so it's only over once you've reached success and highlighting the different job roles/routes people can take after graduation. In relation to making the game end once you've achieved success different layout options have been explored see identify where best to have the 'success' hole so that the player doesn't achieve success without failing first (see figure 2-3). In relation to exploring the use of different job roles, I felt this was slightly more interesting as I can show the options available to graduates as not everyone who graduates wants to be a traditional designer, some want to go travelling, become teachers and go into different areas such as interiors and set design, as identified during earlier research. Furthermore I wanted to incorporate an element that showcased that it's okay to not have a fully thought out plan or not know what you want do (see figures 2 and 4). Therefore I incorporated a hole for no plan and also created an easter egg within the design using the flippers. Underneath each flipper there is a message, different messages where explored however I felt 'wing it' under each was most appropriate due to its light-hearted and reassuring nature. (see figures 5-7). 

Upon reflection of the design, I felt the holes where too close together due to the incorporation of the name of the game etc on the board which isn't necessary as these would normally be featured on the backglass above (see figure 8). Therefore the manual inspired design was moved onto a separate board, representing the back glass to allow for more space on the board itself (see figures 9-11). This allowed more elements to be incorporated such as obstacles and guides that the ball can bounce off and run down, this stops the ball falling in the first hole, prolonging the game (see figure 11). The main issue faced when adding additional elements was how to centre the design, as if the design is centered to the board some elements would get cut off by the plunger/runner, therefore the elements have been centered to the main playing area rather than the board itself to allow the holes to be positioned evenly (see figure 11). Although balck and white works well and references traditional manuals, colour will be explored in order to make the design stand out more. 

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 4

Figure 3

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Figure 8

Figure 9

Figure 10

Figure 11