Weekly Assignment 11

1. Ludo for the Blind

Traditional Ludo relies on color to distinguish between teams and determine gameplay. For people with visual impairments, this game is not accessible. I want to create a version of Ludo specially adapted for blind players, in order to make the toy more inclusive. 

I plan to use touch to differentiate between teams and design the game path according to blind paths. Blind players can sense their position through touch, and at the same time, learn how to navigate blind paths. Also, I want sighted and blind players to play together. They belong to opposing teams and compete with each other, but in certain situations, the sighted players are required to assist the blind players. For example, I will introduce obstacles on the path. The sighted players need to decide whether to remove these obstacles. If a blind player bumps into one, both players will be sent back to the starting point as a penalty.

I will use knitting technique to create the map and the sighted player's team. The blind player's team will be made of 3D printed characters and paths.

The goal of this toy is to let blind players experience the unique joy of Ludo, while also helping sighted players understand the importance of blind paving and why it should not be misused or blocked in real life.

2. Chinese Landform Maze Puzzle

The main target audience for this toy is children with attention disorders. It is a maze puzzle that you have to assemble yourself. First, you’ll have 20 seconds to memorize a map of China’s landforms. For example, Inner Mongolia in the north is grassland, while the southeastern region consists of hills.

After that, I will create a 3D printed maze puzzle, with different landforms made using knitting to represent various textures. You’ll need to assemble the maze based on the map you memorized, and guide a character to reach the destination. If the landforms are arranged incorrectly, the maze becomes impassable.

This toy’s inclusivity lies in its focus on training the memory and concentration of children with attention disorders. Its diversity comes from environmental diversity. While playing, you can also feel the transitions between different landforms and experience the wonder of nature.

3. Mini Olympic

This is a mini Olympic toy designed to give children an Olympic experience. They need to work together to control a wooden stick with their hands in order to keep a small boat balanced—otherwise, the little figure will fall off the boat. While playing with the toy, they can experience both the excitement of competition and the spirit of cooperation, much like the inclusive spirit embodied by the Olympics. I will use laser cutting to make the game board, 3D printing to create the characters, and sewing techniques to make the 'river surface'

Reference: Olympics