Instructional Design

Gone Vegan

Client

Student Project, East Carolinia University

About

The board game "Gone Vegan" is an immersive game crafted to enlighten vegans, vegetarians, and meat-eaters about the diverse aspects of embracing a vegan lifestyle. This engaging game encourages players to delve into plant-based living while comprehending the potential advantages and considerations.

Players encounter decision cards presenting various food options, prompting them to roll the dice to determine whether they opt for a vegan or non-vegan item. Throughout the game, each player tracks their intake of vitamins, cholesterol, fat, and calories to gain a deeper understanding of the nutritional values associated with both diets.

Additionally, when players land on question mark spaces, they are challenged to answer thought-provoking questions concerning the environmental impact and animal welfare connected to meat consumption to foster awareness about the broader implications of dietary choices.

Development Process

To begin the development process, I conducted thorough research on the nutritional aspects of vegan and meat-based diets and the corresponding environmental impacts and benefits. Additionally, I delved into plant-based meat alternatives, comparing their nutritional profiles regarding calories, fat, cholesterol, vitamins, and protein content. This comprehensive exploration allowed me to grasp the strengths and weaknesses of each diet.

Drawing from this knowledge, I conceived the concept of simulating a grocery store experience, where players must make choices based on the perceived healthiness of available options. I added question cards into the gameplay to infuse an element of competition beyond mere chance.

With the game board sketched, I created the necessary cards to match the number of spaces on the board. To enable players to keep track of their scores, I designed nutrition cards for recording relevant information. Moving on to the visual aspect, I acquired photographs and employed Photoshop to remove the backgrounds of the various food items. Next, I used Adobe Illustrator to craft a floor plan and placed the images on the shelves. The game board was printed using a laser printer and manually assembled using glue, decorative paper, and fabric. For the game pieces, I handcrafted them using a combination of metal, clay, and wood. Lastly, I constructed a custom-made box and incorporated dry-erase markers for scorekeeping.

Through this hands-on process, I aimed to create a visually appealing and engaging board game experience that incorporates knowledge, nutrition, and competition elements to create a learning experience for all players.