Paomaster

I came up with this narrative idea because firstly I wanted to be removed from huge sheets of plans, layout, technical drawing etc. the typical thing you get with a model kit. To rethink how instructions can be communicated, its form and medium, was primarily what I was concerned with. because if you do not know, I get easily pissed when cliche things cloud my brain and try to invade my work. as much as I can, I don’t really like doing what has already been done. honestly, I only started working on this project a day before, and the days before, I have been, at times, trying to come up with brand new solutions and alternatives to ‘plans’. so yeh, I worked 24 hours on this and managed to miraculously complete it, though not to entire satisfaction. that’s the thing about last minute work– you start to tire and lose concentration and you let things go easily. you will definitely miss out details or fail to predict what can go wrong, although I am quite certain there will definitely be some small details I will miss out and inevitably panic/give in at the last minute. not good at all. but I have a good reason for starting late so I forgive myself.

Idea
Write a narrative incorporating instructions to construct a plane. Instructions are integrated as part of storyline, making it an alternative process of model construction. can also act as role-play for kid and parent-child activity.

Form
an upright table-top flip chart (like a desk calendar) within the size of an A4 sheet. pages are double-sided and proceeds by flipping.

Considerations
1. workspace–need for an object that is upright, placed in right of you which you can consult easily as you work. I won’t opt for something digital when my workspace is crowded with tools, wood parts and sticky glue
2. instructions in point form
3. bigger text size and generous leading – used Helvetica rounded & Futura
4. illustration – target audience
5. organisation of content – information that needs to be constantly seen vs. information that can be flipped over/get rid off once used
the former was placed in the smaller column and the latter in the larger column(see images in previous post). the overview of the construction process is the former while the construction of fuselage, for example, is the latter. both columns can be flipped over, but at different points in time when needed
6. tick boxes for overview and assembly stage
7. ‘<<’ or ‘>>’ symbol on larger column to indicate corresponding information on smaller column
8. alternating important and clear information with story lines – for interaction between adult and kid. adult can read the instructions while the kid can identify parts needed from symbols shown. this alternation also acts as a break between certain activities which may be laborious and time-consuming.
9. incorporating instructions directly into story rather than showing it as a separate section – works well for activities with fewer steps/instructions
10. actual size plan layout can be removed by unhooking rings

Self-corrected mistakes
1.margin for holes forgotten
2. margin of text at edge misaligned
3. need for a more stable A-stand – make the A shape more symmetrical
4. pocket needed for wing plan(too huge to fit with the rest). can fold with origami technique
5. mistakes in layout: small and big columns for: flap wings, bird sees plane, wear wings pages
6. need for rings which can accommodate easy flipping of pages

Feedback + personal reflection
1. fail to fully integrated instructions into storyline. there is a clash in styles between narrating the story section and communicating instructions section. the latter is too strict and instructional. can do better to integrate and will def. lead to more interesting outcomes
2. think of it as a whole package– packaging etc.
3. moral of story?
4. incorporate a function to use of both sides/flipping– why are the pages printed double sided? can one side be for the kid, the other for the adult? engaging a few people in the activity simultaneously
5. keeping the language/tone of voice consistent throughout is crucial, especially when it comes to communicating the instructions
6. advice: start with a small section of the process and nail the communication, then expand to the whole
7. layout plan drawings should look less technical
8. look at existing childrens’ books which accommodates duality or multi-reader activities
9. page numbers
10. more tactile?
11. having break time for kids is important
12. on a positive note, it’s a fresh idea, and I should explore further, as commented. I think so too. it made me uneasy and unsure at first, most probably because I have no previous references of such existing form in my head. I was unsure whether to do it or not until the last minute. so I guess this is the kind of feeling you get when new ideas pop up. grab the feeling.

I was wondering if it is possible to remove the tone of voice from content but still communicate the latter. I guess it can be done, just that it will feel different and might affect communication?? IDK. I need to sleep. I have not slept for many hours. FYI, my self-directed project is not going anywhere. it hasn’t even started. a spark can be somewhat loosely related to what I just mentioned, so say, I take a haiku and use the content to write a short story. or I take content from non-fiction and write a poem with it.

我不知道！！！