NBA Math Hoops
Digital Board Game
I collaborated as the sole designer with Hasbro and Learn Fresh to transform the NBA Math Hoops game board into an interactive digital app, enhancing students' STEM and social-emotional skills.
Company:
Hasbro & Learn Fresh
Clevyr
Role:
Visual Designer
Creative Director
Industry:
STEM Education
Year:
2020
Problem Statement
Students need an engaging and accessible way to interact with the NBA Math Hoops Board Game online and on mobile devices. The challenge is to convert the physical game into a digital application that provides a seamless and interactive experience, enhancing student participation and learning through intuitive design and user-friendly interfaces.
Role & Team
I was the Creative Director and sole designer to lead the visual design and user experience for the full application.
Our team structure included:
Approach
I started with some sketches and put together rough wireframes . To ensure the design would be heading in the right direction for the application, I created an initial 12 screen clickable prototype in Invision.
The prototype was an interactive series of screens that make the user-flows feel real before development begins, consistent with a Rapid Application Development (RAD) methodology.
Challenges
Converting a board game from physical to digital posed numerous challenges. Adapting the tactile gameplay for digital interfaces, especially the intricate offensive and defensive mechanics, required careful design. Preserving the original game's interactive nature was crucial, ensuring the digital version remained intuitive and engaging for younger audience.
Translating physical game elements into digital equivalents involved creating user-friendly interfaces, smooth animations, and responsive controls. While enhancing the game with digital features like graphics and sound effects, maintaining its original charm was essential. Iterative playtesting and feedback were pivotal in refining the gameplay and ensuring a cohesive digital experience that honored the game's physical origins.
Solution
After the prototype was approved, I proceeded to develop the remaining screens necessary for the gameplay, ensuring a comprehensive and interactive experience tailored for students.
Once completed, the prototype was transitioned to the Clevyr development team. Their task was to implement the functionality and transform it into a fully operational application. This collaborative effort aimed to bring the envisioned digital learning tool to life, combining design precision with technical expertise to meet the project's goals effectively.
“My second grader loves this app! It makes her feel so good when she gets a shot right and it makes math so fun and engaging. The design is incredible, one of the best NBA games I’ve seen! I’ll definitely be keeping an eye out for any more educational designs by this company!”
Results & Impact
The NBA Math Hoops application not only enhances mathematical literacy but also fosters critical thinking, teamwork, and digital fluency in an exciting and accessible format. By leveraging the popularity of basketball and the NBA, it inspires a passion for learning among students while preparing them for academic success and future challenges.
