Masters degree work at Ramat Gan, Shenkar. PatPet - an interactive tale that describes an immigrant's experience in Israel, the viewer is integral to work. His or her mouse clicks guide this story in seven chapters, populated by characters generated by various methods, from traditional to high-tech.
PAT-PET
What
Interactive Tale
(UNITY Based)
Why
Graduation Project
(VC, Shenkar)
Who
Team of Designer, 3D Designer and Unity Developer
Role
Designer, TeamLead, Researcher, Animator, and Illustrator.
Category
Social Project
When
Apr-2022
Why do we create this project?
Israeli culture is diverse and civic, based on language and communication laws. As an immigrant and designer, I use my illustration, narrative, and interactive design skills to offer a fresh perspective on the Hebrew language and empathic migration to the local audience.
Results
Deconstructing the meanings of the experiences of people I met during the face-to-face interviews and using a metaphor that allowed me to translate the experience into a broader context with hand-drawn animation and interactive format allowed me to create a deep empathic connection.
The Claim
Following the statistical data compiled by the Central Bureau of Statistics in 2019, Israel experienced a surge of 18.1% in the influx of immigrants, with a total of 33,247 arrivals. Notably, most immigrants originated from Russia, accounting for 48.2% of the total figure, which exhibited an impressive surge of approximately 50% from the preceding year. Consequently, I assert that deliberating upon the language acquisition process for immigrants and their subsequent adaptation and integration into Israeli society is of paramount significance.
The Problem
Israeli culture is rich in diversity, and language and communication play an integral role in understanding and appreciating it. Learning the language and understanding the Israeli cultural mosaic is crucial for immigrants. This not only helps them to integrate better but also helps locals enjoy their experiences. Basic communication skills are also essential for welcoming immigrants into their new homes.
The current situation where immigrants create closed cultural groups shows that locals have a significant gap in knowledge and no interest in understanding the cultural background of the immigrants in Israel.
Market Research:
18%
a surge in the influx of immigrants in Israel in 2019.
33,247
total arrivals of immigrants to Israel in 2019.
48%
of immigrants originated from Russia.
49%
of total immigrants to Israel in 2021 were people from post-USSR (former).
Interviews survey
During the face-to-face interviews I did with ten immigrants from Russia, Ukraine, and Belarus who had migrated to Israel between 1998-2000, my main objective was to understand their personal adaptation experiences, uncover any funny stories, and explore the culture shocks they faced during their assimilation period. I used a blend of qualitative data collection methods, including in-depth interviews, observation, and document analysis, to gain common patterns for the project.
Many common answers emerged, particularly regarding language struggles and cultural and behavioral difficulties. What was interesting was when the participants began to recount humorous stories of their experiences during the adaptation period. The stories were entertaining and enlightening, from getting lost in translation during a visit to the local market to learning the importance of punctuality in Israeli culture.
Through careful analysis and synthesis of the data collected, I identified seven main steps of the assimilation and used the familiar narratives as a basement for the final script.
Exploration:
The project reflects the experience of immigrants and their ways of cultural adaptation within the local culture through the deconstruction of language meanings and the characterization of language learning processes using an interactive gaming format.
One Liner
This project aims to raise awareness among local people about the challenges faced by new immigrants and migrants regarding basic communication skills.
The heart of Israeli culture lies in its multicultural and civil society, based on language and established communication laws. I aim to reflect and showcase a unique perspective that does not take things for granted.
The Goal
I chose an interactive medium because, in my opinion, adaptation is a reactive process between a migrant, locals, the place, and culture.
Research shows that interactive formats help us empathize better with the main character and the narrative; the character undergoes a process with seven stations (foundation, interpretation, contextual understanding, language implementation, and perspective).
The Format
Project Survey:
Chapter One: Word
I begin by examining how sounds are formed through articulation and sound and how they gain meaning when combined. This is the magic of language, and I want every user to create it easily. Alongside this, we'll also teach the rules of interaction through a simple click.
The Solution:
Chapter Seven: Identity
The final chapter explores the complexities of identity formation in the context of cultural adaptation.
Interactive elements allow the viewer to explore this theme further by moving the mouse around the screen. The screen becomes a mirror that reflects the sense of self and the beauty of being different.
Chapter Tree: Sponge
This chapter expresses language learning through interaction between the user and the character. Through the interaction between the user and the character in a fitting manner - the viewer will teach the character the most important Hebrew words.
Flow Diagram:
To outline all the necessary functionality, I created a simple flow diagram of the main tracks that users can do on each chapter—the flow of chapter four, "The Fall," is shown below. Only one chapter flow is shown here due to space constraints.
I opted to develop an interactive story using Unity for its seamless integration with Adobe Animate. This strategic pairing enabled me to design a predominantly hand-drawn project while incorporating 3D design components for an enhanced visual experience.
To ensure the best possible user experience, I specifically tailored the format for web and desktop screens only. This allows viewers to fully immerse themselves in the story without the distraction of smaller screens or mobile device limitations.
Platform
PatPet is an immersive story that follows the life of an immigrant, divided into seven chapters. Each chapter delves into a unique situation and incorporates interactive elements to enhance the viewer's engagement. The project also features non-interactive animation sequences at the start and end of each chapter to set the tone and provide continuity.
To ensure a seamless interaction experience, I've utilized only two triggers: clicking and mouse movement. These triggers were carefully selected based on fundamental research into human behavior in computing, which suggests that clicking or moving the mouse is the most intuitive response when faced with a challenge.
Navigation
The personality of the character gradually developed, turning him into a sensitive being. I was looking for a character who, emotionally, was partway between human and alien. I wanted users to have a sense that they were taming a somewhat fragile and disconnected creature. It was important to us that everything has a handmade feel.
This design choice was made to help the audience connect emotionally with the character and the situations they encounter throughout the story.
The character's appearance and behavior were carefully crafted to be relatable and endearing while conveying the challenges and struggles of being an immigrant. Through the character's journey, the viewer is invited to experience and empathize with the immigrant experience uniquely and interactively.
The Character
Design Process:
On this project, I had the opportunity to collaborate with a Unity developer and a 3D designer to create a project. Being the team lead and project manager, I was responsible for overseeing the project's execution and creating the design, animation, and illustration components.
Through this experience, I honed my planning, communication, and creative skills, which were invaluable in ensuring the project's success. Despite encountering various challenges throughout the three-month timeline, it was a rewarding experience that taught me the importance of anticipating and navigating obstacles in a design project.
Teamwork
As part of the creative process for PatPet, I extensively researched interactive narratives. The project in itself explores the grammar of a new medium. I was seeking a metaphoric language specific to the online realm. Through the very format of the work, Im, therefore, question the challenges of communication in interactive products and of telling a story.
Pat Pet offers a new vision of communication in the broader sense of how our natural behaviors and interactions with others play out in the world. “The relation between the user and the tail is part of the message,” - Sead Galit Gaon as a fightback to the project. “I created it based on universal stuff: the social nature of humans, our fear of the unknown, the desire for appropriation and freedom, and paradoxically the love of being taken by the hand.”
Impact
There comes the point when all the elements connect, and the project takes shape. It's a magical moment. There's a fine line between the period in which the project is technical and a bit awkward and the moment in which it comes to life and everything flows smoothly. It's not something you can over-intellectualize. It's more of a feeling. You work hard, and you go back and start over.
I've learned that working with new media takes more everlasting. More explanations, more time, more passion. And I've learned to start over.
Learnings
Takeaways:
Chapter Four: Transition
Chapter four explores the mental and physical transition between cultural contexts.
The interaction between the user and the character is represented by three trigger points (up, middle, and bottom of the screen). Each point represents the stage of the transitional path of the immigrant where the upstairs represents the past, the middle reconnection with oneself, and the bottom is the challenging landing to the new reality.