Week 2 Progress

Goals for the week

• Finish story

  • Ideate on possible interactions (tactile, sensors) based on story

• Think about testing

  • Test as things get done

  • First round: characters and story

  • Second round: Circuits and pop-ups

• Do weekly check-ins with sponsor

  • Document meetings in the progress blog

  • Ask about conducting user tests

For this week I completed the story for Willie the Wolf and started thinking about possible interactions. In summary, when Bucky and his friends bully Willie in the meadow and online, Willie talks to his friends, family, and teachers and resolves to show that he is a friendly wolf and change the negative stereotype that wolves are mean and scary. Willie demonstrates his true self through his friendly conduct online, drawings, gardening skills, and sociability at his birthday party and eventually gains friendship with Bucky.

Full story so far

Page 0

• Hi reader, I'm Narrator Bee. This story is about a wolf named Willie, but you can bring me along so I can help tell it to you!

• Do you see the circle next to this sentence? Try picking me up and putting me right on top of it.

• Did you see the flower light up? Pretty cool, right? If you see circles like this again on any of the other pages, feel free to take me along and place me there. Who knows, something interesting might happen!

Page 1

• One warm and sunny day, Willie the Wolf was playing in the meadow, admiring the beautiful flowers and peaceful breeze. It was his favorite place that he visited often, not too far from his school and home in the forest.

Page 2

• Suddenly, a deer and his friends approached Willie. "Oh no, it's a wolf!" exclaimed the leader deer, Bucky. His friends followed in his jeers.

• "What is a wolf doing here around us deer and other prey?"

• "Go back to the forest where you belong, wolf!"

• Willie tries to explain. "What's wrong with me being here? I just want to enjoy the beautiful flowers and gaze upon the clouds in the huge sky above!

Page 3

• Bucky and his friends were not buying it.

• "You're lying! Wolves are mean and scary and don't like flowers!"

• "You're just waiting for the right moment to attack and eat us!"

• Then Bucky took out his phone and took a picture of Willie. "Scary! Stay away from us you meanie wolf!"

• Willie was confused and felt quite upset. He ran back to the forest until Bucky and his friends were out of sight.

Page 4

• When Willie got home, he didn't look happy. His mom noticed and asked, "Willie, what's wrong? Why aren't you playing in the meadow?"

• "I'm okay mom," Willie said, "I'm just tired and want to go to bed."

• "Ok Willie, have a good rest!"

Page 5

• Willie laid in bed and played on his phone, checking PawBook and Flitter. But when he saw the posts popping up, a lump formed in his throat.

• Bucky had posted a picture of him from the meadow with the word "Loser!" drawn next to him for all the animals to see.

Page 6

• The next day, Willie told his parents what had happened. Concerned, his mom said, "You should block them and stay away from social media for a while."

• "And with that matter, stay away from those animals in the meadow, and the internet as well." His dad curtly added.

• Willie felt uneasy. He could try to block Bucky and stay off the internet, but he felt that it would not solve the problem. If he just ignored him and said nothing, Bucky and his friends would continue to think he was mean and scary.

Page 7

• Later at the playground, Willie showed the posts to his friends.

• "Get back at them!" one of them said, "Say something mean back!"

• "Just ignore them," the other friend said.

• Willie felt uncomfortable. He could try to ignore Bucky, but he didn't know how nor wanted to say mean things back to him.

Page 8

• At school, he brought up his dilemma to his teacher that he liked very much. Willie told her that he wanted Bucky to see him as a kind and friendly wolf, and that he didn't want to say mean things to him nor ignore him.

• The teacher smiled at him and replied in a few words, "Just be yourself. Show them that you are indeed a kind and friendly wolf."

Page 9

• Willie considered the advice from his parents, friends, and teacher, then made up his mind. He was not going to let Bucky's comments bring him down.

• He pulled up Bucky's profile and sent him a comment.

• "Hi Bucky. I didn't mean to make you uncomfortable yesterday, but I think the meadow should be a place for all animals to enjoy, including myself. We should talk again sometime and get to know each other better, because I think you're pretty awesome :)"

Page 10

• Meanwhile, Bucky was out playing with his friends and heard his phone beep. He was surprised to see that Willie had messaged him.

• "This wolf is being nice? I don't get it!" He exclaimed, then posted, "Forget it! Stay away you freaky wolf!"

Page 11

• Willie read Bucky's reply and sighed. "As expected," he said. But he couldn't stop there. He'd show Bucky who the real Willie was.

• "I'm an artist!" he proclaimed, then posted his best drawing of the meadow on a clear day.

• Willie felt a rush of excitement. Many friends left wonderful comments for Willie, yet Bucky still had nothing nice to say. But Willie was just getting started - there was so much more he could show them.

Page 12

• The next day, Willie brought his friends to a messy and whithered spot of land in the meadow. "I've always wanted to make this place more beautiful. Will you guys help me?"

• Together they cleaned the area, plowed the soil, and planted seeds. Afterwards, Willie and his friends visited the area frequently to water the area and keep it clean. Some time passed by, and the land became a beautiful garden.

Page 13

• The local rabbits loved the garden and shared photos of it on Flitter.

• "Thank you Willie and his friends for this beautiful garden!"

• Some animals left nice comments for Willie, except for Bucky.

• "Show off. You can't fool us, you're only pretending to be nice", he commented to Willie.

Page 14

• "Bucky is still being mean to me", thought Willie. "How can I let him see the real me?"

• Then it came to him. "My birthday is coming up. I'll invite him to my party!"

• Willie sent out the invitations to all the animals he knew.

Page 15

• On the day of the party, all kinds of animals showed up out of admiration for Willie.

• He welcomed them all with lights, music, and friendly smiles. He showed them his art, cooked a meal with the veggies from the garden, and happily chatted with them.

• Then to his surprise, Bucky had come as well.

Page 16

• "Hi Bucky, I'm glad you're here. Are you enjoying the party?"

• "Yes Willie, it's amazing. And you're amazing as well. I'm sorry for doubting you and saying mean things about you. Can we be friends?"

• "Of course! Thanks Bucky!" And from that day, the animals never called Willie mean and scary again.

Interactions

Possible interactions in the pop-up book rely heavily on the story. In this case, interactions include:

• LED lights at Willie's birthday party

• Textured surfaces for the garden

• Movable pieces for Willie's social media posts