Introduction

• Brief: Create a Flash-based drag-and-drop game to teach young adults about racing yachts.

• Challenge: Make competitive sailing fun and accessible for a younger audience.

• Goals: Boost engagement and knowledge as part of the Volvo Ocean Race’s Galway Stop-over Legacy Initiative.

Discovery Phase

• Stakeholder interviews with Volvo Ocean Race organizers and educators.

• Business requirements: Support the Ocean Adventure Schools Programme, align with event branding.

• User needs: Simple, interactive learning for students new to sailing.

Problem Framing

• Problem statement: Sailing is complex; young people find it hard to relate to or understand.

• Success criteria: Kids can play, learn yacht features, and finish the game with a smile.

• Constraints: Must work in Flash, run on school computers, and be playable in short sessions.

User Research

• User interviews: Talked to teachers and students about digital games in the classroom.

• Competitive analysis: Reviewed other educational games for engagement tactics.

• Market research: Found that drag-and-drop mechanics are intuitive for the target age group.

Synthesis

• Personas: Middle school students with little sailing experience, teachers looking for engaging lessons.

• Journey mapping: From game launch to learning yacht features and completing the activity.

• Key insights: Visual feedback and instant rewards keep kids motivated.

Solution Development

• Information architecture: Simple flow—intro, drag-and-drop, feedback, completion.

• Wireframes & prototypes: Early paper sketches, then Flash mockups.

• Visual design: Bright, sporty, and on-brand with Volvo Ocean Race.

Testing

• Usability testing: Ran play sessions in classrooms; watched for confusion or frustration.

• User feedback: Tweaked drag targets and reward animations based on student reactions.

• Iterations: Polished visuals and improved feedback for correct/incorrect moves.

Implementation

• Handoff: Delivered final Flash files to the event’s digital team.

• Development: Worked closely with devs for smooth animation and sound.

• Go-to-market: Launched at the Galway Stop-over, promoted through schools and event booths.

Results & Impact

• Metrics: High completion rates, positive feedback from students and teachers.

• User adoption: Widely used during the event; teachers requested access post-event.

• Business impact: Helped Volvo Ocean Race connect with the next generation of fans.

• Lessons learned: Simple, interactive mechanics work wonders for educational engagement.