Critique Response

     I came into today being very nervous. I had hit a concrete wall. I didn't know where to go with my patterning idea and I had no idea where to start with my children's book concept. I resorted to unraveling my mind in a sketchbook and bring these ideas for critique. Luckily our group was very insightful. (Thanks girls!)

     I have finally come to admit that the reason I was stalling on my anatomical children's book idea was because I thought that it wasn't serious or grown-up enough for a senior thesis. However, my drawings and poems I brought in today gained far more reactions then my patterns ever had. I am doing a children's book. I am putting my foot down on the accelerator and tearing off the rear view mirror. I am a fun and playful person. I am allowed to do a fun and playful project. I am excited. Let's do this!

     My group brought up several points that are both encouraging and challenging. First, doing a children's book is ambitious. Name one fun children's book about anatomy that you remember from your past. It's okay, go ahead and think. I'll wait.... Yeah, it hasn't been done successfully (to my knowledge.) Feel free to call me out on it if you think differently. It is also challenging to create content as well as format that is kid appropriate as well as something that clearly and succinctly conveys the complex information. It also has to be visually appealing and something you will remember (and read again). This is a lot more to think about than I originally thought.

     A few suggestions from the group: Do a series of books featuring a different bone or body system (Like the Mr. Men or Little Miss series). Visit UM's children's hospital to test out the effectiveness of book formats/storylines. Rhymes are good! Kids books are usually big and tactile. Moving parts like pull tabs are fun (e.g. make the phalanges dance).

What's Next:
     Next I am going to come up with some more rhymes about different bones. I also want to start on some storyboards for a book. I will focus on a book featuring each bone in the body. I will also keep working on fun scenarios/actions for the bones.