1. Diploma Project Proposal
AbhighnaBararia
Visual Communication Design
Project Statement
A project, that aims to make History an interesting subject for students.
When I was in school I used to hate history because of the long sleepy boring
chapters and the traditional ways on how it is being taught in class. Only when I
matured enough I understood and realizedthe importance of the subject and the
interesting revelations and discoveries about the roots of the world and human
race.
Now when I interact with school kids most of them find history the most boring
subject amongst all and don't understand the importance or the value of the
subject and take for granted the heritage that has been left behind.
My aim is to create a product that will help in making History an interesting
subject for school children. This can include story telling and ways of making the
product interactive which will help the child to engage and make the subject
interesting. The product can be an application for ios or android, an eBook or a
physical book.
Why History? Why Children? The Need?
History is not just a monument, person or a bunch of dates! It’s a Story..
- The traditional ways on how the subject is being taught is quiet boring which
leaves children uninterested. The teaching methods are not ideal for the children
of today’s generation.
- The existing materials, even the new apps that are currently available on ios
and android are quiet boring.
- Children are unaware of the rich culture and history of India and It is important
to have the knowledge at a young age because of the vast career choices
available to one.
- A system, which does not involve textbooks, has the element of interaction and
can capture the child’s interest. This is more likely to make the experience of
education more engaging.
The Solution
The e-book/ application/ book/ form will involve stories, illustrations and
activities that will help students to engage with the subject and help them
understand better.
The e-book/ application/ book/ form could include games, pop ups, sound,
motion graphics that help them relate to the subject better.
Research questions
User interviews will be of tremendous importance for research. Who my target
audience is and what is the market? Understanding the need of my target
audience.
2. What are the existing products available and looking at what’s already been
done?
What are the existing methods of teaching the subject in schools? Understanding
the need of teachers also.
What are the limitations of the product with regard to different groups of
children?
What urban children respond and relate to as opposed to rural children?
The language (visual, text, verbal) that is best understood and responded to by
children?
How can I create an experience of a fun learning while making it interactive for
the child?
Approach/ Process
The project will begin with understanding the content that I will be working
upon followed by the existing methods of teaching the subject. I will research my
target audience and look at the above written research questions.
After finishing up the research on the topic I will ideate on what the product and
medium needs to be and make prototypes for the same.
Resources
- Interviews with children, parents and teachers
- History Text books from various boards
- Web articles and forums
(Will keep listing this through the course of my project)
Learning Outcome
- To completely be independent.
- Exploring different mediums, forms and technology to create a product that can
become a resource for schools too!
- To find a good balance of functionality and aesthetics.
- Understanding the process that goes behind creating an educational kit.
- Exhibiting my skills in user interface, illustration and information design.
- To explore my role as a visual communicator.