Foraging Island: A Multisensory board game developed in partnership with CAA!
When Ke Sun, a product designer based in Brooklyn, NY, got in touch with Center for All Abilities (CAA) at the beginning of last Fall regarding ideas for a toy design project for children and youth with social challenges, we were very intrigued!
Fast forward six months later, Foraging Island, a board game to foster social skills development and encourage positive interactions among youth with social challenges, was created!
Ke came to CAA’s Outshine music and arts group in Chinatown weekly, getting to know its 4 wonderful youth from neurodivergent backgrounds, as well as its staff and volunteers. Through weeks of interacting with Outshine through playing music together, working on holiday art projects and performances, and even a barista training series in this Spring, Ke got to know the group intimately.
At the same time, Outshine got to know Ke and explore what life could be as a game designer. Outshine eagerly participated in various games Ke brought to the group and the character design workshops she conducted. In addition, Outshine experienced the birth and development of Foraging Island, getting the first looks at its characters and being the first players of this game as it continued to evolve.
At a Pop-Up Cafe that CAA held on March 28, 2023, Ke’s board game made its debut - wowing many with its multisensory design and how beautifully crafted it is!
Foraging Island was also exhibited at the Pratt Institute School of Design in May, and Outshine was honored to attend the showcase.
Ke shares, “Developing the Foraging Island board game with the Outshine group has been an incredible journey! I am so grateful for the support, insightful advice, and enthusiastic participation from everyone involved, as it has truly made this experience memorable.”
And Outshine is equally grateful to have been a part of Ke’s development of this outstanding game!
More details about Foraging Island can be found on Ke’s website here and LinkedIn profile.
Interested in getting to know Outshine or being involved at Center for All Abilities? Click on the “Let’s Connect” button below!