Boats & Nets: A Life-Size Game for Health & Play
Life-size board game that boosted youth sports participation by 32%
Role
User Experience Designer
Conducted desk and field research with local youth and facilitators
Designed and tested a life-size board game prototype with children aged 8–14
Translated health awareness goals into playful, easy-to-grasp mechanics
Facilitated co-design workshops and iterated based on real-world testing
Team
1 Designer (Me)
1 Program Manager
2 Researchers
2 Local Leaders
Tools
Adobe Illustrator
Miro
Google Suite
Impact
Increased youth engagement in Dakshin’s sports program by 32% during
monsoon downtime through the design of a culturally familiar, health-focused
life-size board game.
Company
Dakshin Foundation
Duration
6 Months
Project Overview
Project Responsibilities
Conceptualization & Development: Leading the conceptualization and development of "Boats & Nets" to align with community needs, while also supporting the continuation of Ultimate Frisbee.
User Research: Conducted 4 focus groups with the children aged 8-14 y/o to derive insights.
User Testing: Conducting comprehensive user testing to refine game mechanics and enhance user experience, ensuring seamless integration with existing sports activities.
Logistical Coordination: Orchestrating logistical aspects of both Ultimate Frisbee and "Boats & Nets" initiatives to ensure effective execution and community engagement.
Final Output
Need for Intervention
Recognizing the potential to enhance sports engagement and health awareness among Ganjam's youth, "Boats & Nets" was developed as a proactive measure to provide additional opportunities for participation and well-being promotion.
Pain Points
Initial enthusiasm wanes with monotony
Lack of direct health habit teachings
Spirit circle participation lacks attentiveness
Personal Learnings
& Reflections
Working with users in their environment gives better results.
This project taught me how designing for complexity comes with its own set of subtleties and interconnectivity because it was a fairly new area of intervention
It forced me to conduct research while on the go, work through never-ending obstacle courses of complex problems in developmental projects, and think both big and microscopic at once
The project underscored the importance of co-creation and feedback loops in empowering stakeholders and driving meaningful change, emphasizing the value of designing with, rather than for, communities.
Co-Creation
Collaborating with children and local representatives ensured that the game was created for the community, with the community, fostering a sense of ownership and connection.
Testing the game twice with the co-creation group and once with a fresh set of users provided comprehensive feedback loops, allowing for refinement and validation of design decisions to enhance user experience and effectiveness.
Research Insights
utilize gamification to promote health and well-being, engaging our target audience and fostering sustainable habits for a healthier community?
how might we?
Lack of continuity due to changing seasons diminishes interest
Separate training needed for girls and boys
Language poses significant communication barrier
Dakshin Foundation’s youth sports program in Ganjam faced a challenge: participation dropped drastically during the monsoon, when outdoor Frisbee sessions were impossible. To sustain engagement, I co-designed Boats & Nets, a life-size board game inspired by Snakes & Ladders that integrates fun with health awareness. The result was an indoor activity that not only kept children active but also reinforced healthy behaviors—achieving a 32% increase in participation and becoming a complementary part of Dakshin’s long-term youth wellness initiatives.
Involving children and local representatives in the design process allowed for valuable input on visual aspects and game changes, ensuring cultural relevance and community ownership.
Co-creation sessions facilitated a deeper understanding of community needs and preferences, guiding the development of a game tailored to the specific context of Ganjam.
Next Steps
The game has been translated into 2 languages - Bengali and Telugu, broadening accessibility and catering to a wider audience
Translation efforts are underway for two additional coastal languages, further expanding the reach and impact of the game beyond its initial scope.