Trail Path Example

I took the shape of the path from Whinlatter's previous activity sheet.
I tried for the walk to never be too long for the children between a sign, board, post or activity. This means they're always excited to find the next thing, which is sure to be near. This will prevent boredom.
I left the very last pumpkin sign for the adjoining activity sheet right towards the end, so the children always have something to look forward to. Something which they know will be there.
The character posts mark the presence of an upcoming information board - therefore the boards have been positioned close to the posts.
"This way" signs have been positioned where the path breaks off a different way.
Activities are spaced out.
The trail does a full circle, starting at the Visitor's centre (where the "Start sign" is positioned) and finishing there too. There is a "Finish" sign to reward children with a sense of accomplishment. Then they can go to the visitor's centre to get their sweet reward for completing the pumpkin activity sheet!
Overall, as you can see above, this trail will be packed with activities, games and information, meaning that children will have fun. The directional signs prevent anyone from getting lost.


Trail will be about 45 minutes long.

Trail Posts Development

 First composition.
Yellow - stands out from a distance.
You will be able to see the yellow first, then walk closer to inspect the characters.
To show that the walker is one the right track.

After considering that research showed curved, rounded signs when designed for children, I gave my signs a curved edge.

AFTER USING TESTING
No one selected the moon as their favourite character during the user testing. It therefore appeared to be the weakest character to me. I therefore replaced it with a more animated, textured and interesting ghost character.

Development - witch activities and activity sheets

 I didn't think portrait was working. Landscape would be easier to follow the order of the pumpkins.

I decided to change the typeface reading "Activity Sheet" to something stronger and more modern. I didn't think the other font was working as well. This font matches the numbers. I also added to the text that upon completing the activity, you could hand in the finished sheet at the Visitors Centre to receive a treat. This change was a direct influence from user testing.

The colours of the trail were used to keep consistancy.

The two bottom activities were a result of user testing: the children had some wonderful creative ideas for me.
Each witch has their own bright colour.

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.