Information board development

The original ideas for my information board can be found in my blog. This post shows the development from computer screen.



Wheel.

Left: underneath. Able to turn the wheel to reveal more images and information. This gives a further level of interactivity to the board to engage children.

 Spruce and larch trees can be found in Whinlatter forest, while the cherry tree is immediately recongisable, even to a young audience.


I added another interactive element by introducing a peer-through circle:

The below images would be placed further down on the board, so that the children would have to lean to peer in to see the images.

I started to lay out boxes to show where the text and images would go. I wanted the rat - the image that signals what number information board this is, as well as confirming the board is part of the Halloween trail - in the centre, for it should be seen first.
I positioned the peep-holes low down, so that children would easily be able to peer through. By positioning them higher, it might have been more difficult for younger children to reach them.
There is also the wheel to turn to reveal different information about the magic properties of trees.
A barcode has been added for additional features.

I added the text and most of the imagery. The photography relates to Halloween and Whinlatter forest.
Arrows have been added to the board to show motion, to encourage the children to play with the special features.
The rat image can be lifted up to reveal information below, focused on how this animal - the rat - relates to Halloween. This would be done with the different characters on information boards.
The information on the board relates to Halloween and teaches children about the history of the festivity. I kept the language chatty to avoid it appearing dull.


However, after mocking it up I felt that the yellow appeared to harsh. It was starting to look too plastic and I wanted to keep the natural appearance of the forest. I therefore experimented with removing the yellow in favour of different wood types.

 
I felt that the texture of this one was too strong and was making the text hard to read.

This, on the other hand, didn't have enough texture.

This seemed to be the perfect balance.

Final touches with Halloween photography. Neatening layout.

I altered the peep-through elements so that it was clearer that the children would be unable to view the image until they peered through. Another interactive element. Another board with the images - perhaps a panel - would be slotted underneath this board.