Test Your Fate: Manual Idea

Based on initial visual research exploring pinball machine manuals and design manuals, I've explored how this aesthetic could be transferred to a pinball machine. Initially, I treated the machine base as an editorial cover exploring the idea that instructions are not included for like as things will/can go wrong as well as the multiple job roles available to design graduates (see figure 1).  The main element inspired by manuals was the title (see figure 2) featuring a potential name for the game alongside all the common questions new graduates get asked, these questions act as an easter egg within the game as you have to look closely to understand. Developing the multiple job roles idea, I wanted to highlight the overwhelming feeling of having to pick just one of these options as a graduate which lead overlapping bold text that 'shouts' pick one to show the urgency and panic felt by some graduates (see figures 3-4). Furthermore I also explored how this would work alongside one of the most common questions ask 'what's your plan' (see figure 5). However upon relfection I felt the use of so much text was too overpowering and wouldn't work once the holes were incorporated as certain job roles/characters would get cut off. Therefore I've explored how a more simple typographic approach that works around the holes (see figure 6-7), however these initial ideas are limited and need to be developed further as the text is too simple. In relation to the main focus of the manual a more simplified approach has been taken, featuring the title only which would allow the holes to be incorporated whilst still referencing the 'no manual to life' origin (see figure 8). This idea needs to be further developed to see how type can interact with the holes themselves. Throughout these experiments black and white has been used as a base to help refine the idea with colour developments needing to be conducted. Furthermore Helvetica has been used due to its common use within design manuals, specifically those aimed towards a more minimal, swiss style.

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