Have you ever wondered whether or not Cannabis should be legal at a recreational level? By creating a pop-up book that walks the read through the plant, I was able to educate the readers on what Cannabis is, how it is consumed, where it is able to be consumed, and the pros and cons that come with it all.
Initiate a comprehensive exploration of the cannabis landscape in America, understanding the legal, cultural, and medicinal aspects. Identify key educational objectives such as explaining what cannabis is, consumption methods, legal contexts, and associated pros and cons. The goal was to see, where is cannabis working, where is it failing, and the aspects surrounding both.
Conduct research to gauge the knowledge level and perspectives of the target audience regarding recreational cannabis use. Create user personas to tailor the content and design to the readers' varying levels of familiarity with the subject.
Brainstormed and conceptualize the how I might be able to convey this information. After many hours of ideating, I decided a popup book would be best, ensuring each page unfolds to reveal a different facet of cannabis education. This allowed the user to interact with the book like one might interact with the plant itself. Defined the narrative flow, considering a balance between informative content and interactive visual elements.
Create initial sketches and low-fidelity prototypes for the popup book's pages, experimenting with pop-up mechanisms to visually represent the cannabis plant, consumption methods, and associated information. Seek feedback to refine the visual design and enhance engagement. Figure out what materials for the paper would be best. What folds easy, what keep ink on the page the best after it bends, what materials are too thick, etc.
Collaborate with subject matter experts + do extensive reach online to ensure accurate and unbiased information is presented throughout the book. Develop concise and clear content that addresses the key aspects of cannabis, considering the storytelling potential of each popup page.
Incorporate information on the legal status of cannabis at the federal and state levels, highlighting where consumption is permitted and the regulations surrounding its use. Ensure that the legal context is presented in an accessible and understandable manner. This was important to me as I felt many people, even in America, dont know the technical status of the drug from state to state. On top of that, it can even vary in state, such as PA! (Legal medically, illegal recreationally, decriminalized in some locations).
Consider the cultural nuances associated with cannabis use, taking care to present the information in a way that respects diverse perspectives and fosters understanding. Incorporate visual elements that reflect the cultural diversity of cannabis use in America. It was important to make sure this was pro or against weed. I tried my best to make it visually interesting while also presenting the facts
Incorporate interactive popup elements that allow readers to engage with the content physically. For example, a page demonstrating consumption methods could feature pull tabs or flaps to reveal additional information.
Conduct user testing with prototypes to gather feedback on the visual appeal, educational effectiveness, and overall user experience of the popup book. Iterate on the design based on the feedback received to enhance the book's educational impact.
The culmination of the cannabis popup book project has yielded an engaging and educational resource that navigates the complexities of cannabis in the American context. The popup book takes readers on a journey through the cannabis plant, unraveling its nuances, consumption methods, legal considerations, and associated pros and cons. By combining meticulous research with captivating design, the book fosters an immersive learning experience. Its interactive elements, including pull tabs and pop-ups, enhance user engagement, while the incorporation of legal context and cultural sensitivity ensures a balanced and informative presentation.
The book's educational value aims to spark informed discussions on cannabis legalization. This work outcome stands as a testament to the seamless integration of design, education, and cultural awareness in demystifying the complex landscape of recreational cannabis use in America.
