CHAN, Queenie Doris
social design
Quackpathy
Board Game
Get rid of the social boundaries after the pandemic
2023
Quackpathy is from the word “Telepathy.” As the mascot mainly looks like a duck, it changed to Quack. It is an emotional education drawing card game developed with counsellors. The game primarily aims to have people take a random situation card with a friend and draw how they will react on the whiteboard; they can reference Quack’s expression on the wall. After a maximum of 5 minutes, the player has to exchange their emotion with their friend and explain why. It is not a win-lose situation game. By crafting illustrations that capture the essence of different emotions, I aimed to foster empathy, self-reflection, and emotional intelligence among players. The design could catalyse individuals to understand better and navigate their feelings, leading to more meaningful connections and personal growth.
Why does Quack’s appearance look like a blend of a chicken and a duck? In Asia, there’s a saying: “The chicken is talking to the duck,” which symbolizes people talking at cross-purposes. Quack’s appearance, a fusion of these two animals, represents the universal language of emotions that transcends language barriers. When we share the same joy or sadness and react, we feel a sense of intimacy and are more willing to express ourselves. This was the original intention behind Quack’s creation.
Given the profound impact of COVID-19 on our lives, it’s no surprise that people have developed a more pronounced siege mentality. Quackpathy, a game that transcends language and cultural barriers, is a tool to help us navigate these challenging times. The game’s visuals, designed to evoke a sense of universality, enable players from diverse backgrounds to connect and understand each other’s emotions. It was inspiring to witness how illustrations could elicit empathy, spark conversations, and create a safe space for individuals to explore their emotional landscapes, regardless of any language.