Week 1 – Context Page
Context:
This week I started the foundation elements of my project, The Secret Life of Tortoises (S.L.O.T). I started by brainstorming multiple ideas before deciding on one. Once I had decided on my idea I developed a comprehensive proposal detailing the project’s concept, objectives and a timetable. Writing a Proposal and BIF helps define the goals, potential challenges, and strengths of my project. The project is designed to create an interactive learning space for children ages 6-12. It aims to not only educate but entertain through a combination of a Tamagotchi-Style game, an informative short documentary, hosted on a dedicated website (Faithangela.co.uk).
To successfully resonate with the young audience, the S.L.O.T’s tone aims to be friendly, playful, and informative. Whilst the content will be visually rich and interactive to maintain engagement and develop children’s learning.
Research:
Technical- Using the industry standard software, Microsoft Word I drafted my Context Page, which included both my Proposal and BIF (Better Ideas Faster). This choice was made due to its formatting tools and reliable backup features, ensuring my work is always securely saved and easily retrievable. Alternatives such as Google Docs were considered, but Microsoft Word is accessible offline. This is ideal for working when travelling outside of college hours on public transport, where online networks are often unstable. I will later transfer my completed work into WordPress.
I also began to set up my website using WordPress and Elementor as this combination allows for easy visual page building without needing to code. Alternatives such as Wix and Adobe Portfolio were considered, but WordPress provides more flexibility and much better integration for embedding video, animation and HTML-based games which are all essential for my project.
Story- The S.L.O.T narrative revolves around exploring the lives of tortoises, aiming to provide insights into their behaviours, habitats and care. The aim to create an engaging learning space for children will be achieved through a combines structure of factual information and interactive elements.
Stylistic- The stylistic approach draws inspiration from several sources:
- National Geographic Kids: As it is well known for its captivating and educational content tailored for a young audience.
- BBC’s My Pet and Me: This show effectively combines real-life pet stories with educational content, making it both relatable and informative for children. I will particularly be taking inspiration for the clear, child friendly explanations, through animation.
- The Hidden Life of Pets: I will be taking inspiration from the use of slow-motion and close-up frames.
Practical Skills:
Alongside writing my Project Proposal and BIF (Better Ideas Faster) in Word, I set up the core structure of my website in WordPress. I created a button labelled ‘How I Made This’ which is where you can find my Context, Research, Planning, Practical Skills, Problem Solving, Evaluation, Exhibition and Weekly Logs Pages.
Evaluation:
What Went Well-
- I have clearly outlined my project goals and structure.
- I have successfully set up the basic layout of my website, including placeholder images.
- I have chose the most effective softwares for writing and website development.
Even Better If-
- I change the images on the homepage to my own photographs of tortoises. (I will do this next week)
- I create a Visual Moodboard for Inspiration
- I test the website layout on other devices such as Phones and Tablets.
Next Week, i plan to start my Research Page by researching Tortoises behaviour and documentary mode. I will also start primary research through focus groups.
Week 2 – Research Page
This week, I began Developing the Research page of my website. I focused on both Primary and Secondary Research. For my Primary Research I designed a survey to gather opinions from peers, whilst for my Secondary Research I explored case studies, documentary modes and different software choices. My target audience remains children aged 6-12 and animal lovers. To maintain the playful yet educational tone I’m keeping the language simple and visuals friendly. This tone is supported by examples like My Pet and Me (CBeebies), which presents animal care in a hands-on way, and explains complex topics through animation to allow simple visual learning. Also National Geographic Kids remains an inspiration as they use bright visuals, facts and questions to keep younger viewers engaged.
For Research and References for information on Tortoises I relied on BBC Bitesize, ITV and YouTube.
Here are links to the National Geographic Kids: Animal Games & Videos and CBeebies – My Pet and Me where I took stylistic inspiration.
Story-
The content will help support both my Tamagotchi-style game and documentary by giving real insight into how children learn best through story and interactivity. The survey I developed for my Primary Research, asked questions about pets, digital games, and what makes learning fun, helping shape the direction of my interactive content.
The survey:
The Secret Life of Tortoise – Interactive Experience Survey
Section 1: About You
1. What is your age?
• Under 6
• 6–8
• 9–11
• 12–14
• 15+
2. Do you enjoy watching educational videos about animals?
• Yes
• No
Section 2: Pets & Interests
3. Do you have a pet?
• Yes – a tortoise
• Yes – another animal
• No, but I’d like one
• No, I’m not interested in pets
4. What kind of animals are you most interested in learning about? (Select as many as you’d like.)
• Reptiles (e.g., tortoises, snakes)
• Mammals (e.g., cats, dogs)
• Birds
• Insects
• Sea creatures
5. What would you enjoy more?
• Watching a TV show
• Playing animal-themed games
• Doing both (watching & playing)
• Neither
Section 3: Game Features
6. If you were to play a game about taking care of a tortoise, what would you want to do in the game? (Select as many as you’d like.)
• Feed the tortoise
• Clean the tortoise
• Put the Tortoise to bed
• Name and customise my tortoise
7.Do you have any other ideas for what you would want to do in the game?
Section 4: Style & Preferences
9. What colours and styles do you like most in games or videos? (Checkboxes)
• Bright and colourful
• Natural and realistic
• Soft and pastel
• Dark and moody
10. Would you prefer:
• A calm and relaxing experience
• A fun and fast-paced one
• A mix of both
Overall, the majority of my responses (92%) fell into the 6-11 catergory giving me the perfect insight on my target audiences opinions. I have decided to have combination of both a natural colour scheme using green and some yellow and orange to add a pop of colour, based off of my feedback.
Stylistic- Alongside The Hidden Life of Pets, this week I drew particular inspiration from:
• National Geographic Kids – for its colourful facts, dynamic visuals, and interactive structure
• My Pet and Me – for its gentle, child-focused tone, which I aim to replicate in my documentary narration
• Tamagotchi – for mechanics I could adapt to my game
These examples guide how I tone my language, adjust my layout, and interaction for young users.
Practical Skills:
I created and distributed my survey using Google Forms, then began to analyse the results. I recorded responses in Word, highlighting key trends such as common interest in pets and preferences for mini-games.
I also saved screenshots of my research page in progress within WordPress and began creating subheadings for Primary vs. Secondary Research.
Evaluation:
What went well-
1. My survey provided helpful data about game and documentary preferences.
2. I found reliable stylistic inspiration suited to my young audience.
3. I successfully began formatting my Research Page online.
Even better if-
1. I add visuals and information from my secondary research to the page.
2. I do some follow-up focus groups to add qualitative depth to my primary research.
3. I reference sources more formally to support academic presentation (harvard referencing).
Week 3 – Research Page
This week, I continued developing the Research Page, going into more depth with annotations and explanations. I have reflected on how each piece of research—whether a documentary mode, animation technique, or game mechanic—has influenced my creative decisions. My audience remains children aged 6-12, animal lovers and families, so I’m continuing to shape the content in a way that is fun, visual, and easy to understand. I aim to create an experience similar in tone to My Pet and Me (CBeebies), but with the dynamic visual style of National Geographic Kids.
Research:
Technical- I used Microsoft Word to write out my secondary research sources before putting it into my website. I highlighted specific techniques used in children’s shows, including narration style, and animation. I began referencing these sources directly on my website using WordPress/Elementor.
The annotation process also included Case studies into National Geographic Kids, and Tamagotchi, which I analysed for their effectiveness with young audiences.
Story- I now have a clearer idea of my documentary’s structure: it will follow a “day in the life” format, narrated in a conversational tone and supported by fun facts, animation and slow-motion footage.
The interactive game is also shaping up. My research into Tamagotchi mechanics, combined with feedback from my survey, has helped me plan features like feeding, sleeping, etc.
Stylistic- I continued analysing the tone and presentation of:
• My Pet and Me – for gentle, encouraging voiceover styles and visual simplicity.
• National Geographic Kids – for colour, playful transitions, and short-form content.
• Tamagotchi– for interaction ideas and how they integrate learning with play.
These references are guiding both the look and feel of my interactive learning space.
Practical Skills:
Alongside research, I it into categories and created sample paragraph blocks to paste into my WordPress Research Page. I Apple Notes for future animation planning.
Screenshots:
Evaluation:
What Went Well-
- I created detailed annotations that clearly link research to my project choices.
- I built a strong plan for my documentary’s structure.
- I prepared usable assets for future stages (e.g. fact pop-ups for game design).
Even Better If-
- I begin creating my website and start developing assets, colour scheme etc.
- I upload my Research and work so far.
- I gather feedback on my animation from my peers.
Week 4 – Practical Skills Page (Trial & Testing)
Also, by testing in advance, I can avoid technical issues and keep the final product polished and age-appropriate.
Research:
Technical- I trialled equipment for filming, including a DSLR Camera, Tripod, different Microphones, and LED Lights. This allowed me to test framing, lighting quality, and sound clarity—especially for close-up shots of the tortoise. After testing, I decided against using lights in my project as I felt it would be too invasive.
I also began testing FlipAClip for basic animation. I compared it to alternatives like Adobe Animate, but FlipAClip is more accessible for quick, hand-drawn animation that suits my target audience’s aesthetic
Here is a link to a site I used to develop my understanding on how to use FlipAClip, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hCXR8vNhS_A .
Story- This trial stage supports the “day in the life” structure I planned in Week 3. I tested filming small tortoise movements and behaviours that will eventually make up part of the short documentary.
The game element also relies on visuals, so I sketched basic game icons for happy, smelly, sleepy, and hungry, then experimented with animating these in Adobe XD. However after feedback and self evaluation I decided to improve them.
Before:
After:
Stylistic-
I remained inspired by:
• My Pet and Me – especially the way it captures real pet interaction in a calm, observational style
• National Geographic Kids – for visual clarity and use of close-ups on animals
• The Hidden Life of Pets – for behind-the-scenes style visuals and slow-motion that make even small actions engaging
These examples guided my shot composition, lighting choices, and sound tests.
Practical Skills:
I booked and tested all relevant filming equipment, recorded short clips of the tortoise, and experimented with macro (close-up) shots.
I also explored FlipAClip’s drawing tools to create basic character animation tests, such as a tortoise blinking or walking.
Evaluation:
What Went Well-
- The microphone worked efficiently for recording good quality sound for my voiceover. (However, it isn’t available for when I need it so I may have to order an alternative)
- FlipAClip proved to be user-friendly and suitable for my intended visual style.
- Trial shots revealed creative ideas I hadn’t originally planned (time-lapse potential).
Even Better If-
- I had started my Trial and Testing earlier to ensure I was able to use the RODE microphone, which worked efficiently for recording good quality sound for my voiceover.
- I explore using Adobe Animate for smoother transitions and intro animations
- I begin testing interactive elements for the game next week.
Next week I will begin work on the Problem Solving Page, using what I’ve learned this week to reflect on what needs improvement—especially in animation improvements.
Week 5 – Problem Solving Page
This week, I worked on the Problem Solving Page. I reflected on the issues I discovered during my trial and testing from Week 4 and began documenting ways to improve both the filming and animation processes. Through logging a list of challenges and solutions, my final production will be smoother and more professional.
My target audience (children aged 6–12 and families) remains central to all my decisions. I want to keep the project fun, smooth, and glitch-free. By refining techniques now. This will help the final interactive game and documentary run better and connect more with the audience.
Technical-
After analysing my DSLR footage, I realised some of my shots were either too dark or shaky. I decided it was essential to try and use a tripod where possible and researched, ways to improve the lighting without being too invasive which is ideal for filming animals without startling them.
For animation, I noticed that FlipAClip sometimes creates jagged movement, so I began researching onion-skinning and frame duplication techniques to improve the flow of the clips.
Story-
Through my problem solving, I have realised that that visual clearness is key. If kids can’t clearly see or understand what the tortoise is doing, they’ll lose interest. This has inspired me to reframe some planned scenes to be simpler and more focused on single simple actions such as feeding, walking, or basking.
Stylistic-
I revisited My Pet and Me and National Geographic Kids for examples clear and easy to understand visuals which minimise background distractions. These shows demonstrate that sometimes less is more, which I’ll apply when framing shots and animations in future weeks.
Practical Skills:
This week I also compared the drawing animation twice—my initial which looked rushed in comparison to using onion-skinning—to show the improvement.
All of my screenshots and comparisons throughout my project have been and will continue to be added to the Problem Solving Page to illustrate my learning process.
- I identified and corrected lighting and stability issues in filming.
- I learned a new animation technique (onion-skinning) that improved visual quality.
- I documented my process clearly, turning problems into new skills and learning experiences.
Even Better If-
- I test narration audio quality next week and trial multiple microphones.
- I begin testing basic interactivity features for the game on Adobe XD.
- I organise a short focus group of my improved test footage.
Next week, although it’s half-term, I’ll begin properly filming and recording content for my Practical Skills Page, including more shots and animations that will go into the final documentary.
Week 6 – Practical Skills Page (Recording)
Although it’s half-term, I used this week to begin capturing footage and content for my Practical Skills Page, moving from testing into actual production. I focused on filming real scenes for the short documentary and started preparing animation sequences for both the documentary and the interactive game.
My audience—families and children aged 6-12—remains central to all of my creative choices. I focused on capturing moments that feel gentle, curious, and informative, with bright visuals and a light tone, inspired by My Pet and Me and National Geographic Kids.
Technical- I filmed with the DSLR Camera, tripod, I trialled in previous weeks. I also began importing footage into Adobe Premiere Pro to cut together rough sequences. The camera’s depth of field worked really well to keep attention focused on the tortoise.
I also continued with FlipAClip to develop the small animated assets (like the tortoise blinking or sleeping), which will be used in the Tamagotchi-style game.
Research: Premiere Pro Basic Editing Tutorial for Beginners
Story-
I filmed a sequence showing the tortoise exploring its enclosure and eating lettuce—two core behaviours that will anchor the documentary’s storyline. I also outlined the game’s mechanics, including hunger, sleep, and play. These ideas were all drawn from earlier research and survey feedback.
Stylistic-
I kept visuals bright and backgrounds clean (as possible with tortoise), avoiding clutter so young viewers can focus on the tortoise’s behaviour.
Practical Skills:
I Filmed clips using a DSLR camera and tripod, adjusting exposure and white balance based on lighting conditions. I also Recorded slow-motion shots of the tortoise walking, to add variety and maintain attention. The I Began cutting clips together in Premiere Pro, and Adobe Express using fade transitions, lower-thirds for captions, and colour correction. I also finished my opening animation in FlipAClip.
Evaluation:
What Went Well-
I captured clear, engaging footage of real tortoise behaviours.
The editing process in Premiere Pro was smoother than expected.
My FlipAClip animation has improved in consistency and timing.
Even Better If-
I test background music or sound effects to enhance the documentary.
2. I decide on a suspenseful song for the opening animation
3. I organise my folders and name files clearly for quicker editing.
Next week,
I’ll continue refining the Practical Skills Page with editing progress and animation development. I’ll also start to develop the games decay state and coding.
Week 7 – Practical Skills Page (Editing)
This week, I continued developing my Practical Skills Page, focusing on editing footage for the documentary and starting to design key elements for the interactive game. Since this is still half-term, I worked independently to advance both sides of the project.
My goal remains to engage children aged 6–12 and their families through a warm, visually friendly tone. Editing focused on clarity, pacing, and keeping shots interesting. For the game, I began prototyping simple interaction flows to support the Tamagotchi-style mechanics.
Technical- I used Adobe Premiere Pro to edit several rough scenes, experimenting with sound design, transitions, and colour grading. I added simple captions to the lower thirds. I also opened Adobe XD to begin laying out the interface for the interactive game. I mapped out parts like the the menu, game level meter, “Feed the tortoise,” and “Give the tortoise a drink,” and “Play with the tortoise” interactions. Using XD allowed me to quickly prototype the features for the digital pet, in a way that’s intuitive for younger audiences.
Story- I want the audience to understand the connection between the real tortoise’s behaviour and their digital pet.
Stylistic- Stylistic references this week came from:
- My Pet and Me – use of upbeat narration and music
- National Geographic Kids – fact-based overlays
I used animated overlays and kept the music/ sound effects and music light and playful.
Practical Skills:
I edited several scenes in Premiere Pro using titles, transitions, and basic colour grading. Then added placeholder music and narration to test timings. I started transferring FlipAClip animations to Adobe Animate for refinement and integration.
Evaluation:
What Went Well-
- My editing in Premiere Pro is now more polished, with smooth transitions and engaging visuals
- Adobe XD helped me structure the game’s interface clearly.
- Animations from FlipAClip have shown visual improvement.
Even Better If-
- I finalise my narration voiceovers as I have tested different voice styles.
- I begin linking game screens in XD to code so I can test user interaction.
- I decide on the appropriate sound effects for a younger audience—fun but not overwhelming.
Week 8 –
This week, I focused on finalising my Practical Skills Page and updating the Problem-Solving Page with new challenges and solutions from recent production work. With the project deadline approaching, I aimed to polish up both the documentary footage and interactive game design, ensuring everything works together to deliver an educational and entertaining experience for children aged 6–12 and their families.
Technical- I revisited Adobe Premiere Pro to finalise transitions, trim clips for pacing, and adjust audio levels. I added sound effects and gentle background music suitable for younger audiences, inspired by My Pet and Me. In Adobe Audition I improved the quality of the audio whilst in Adobe Animate, I continued developing animated elements for the gam. I then used Adobe XD to check all animations were perfect before importing them into the code ready for the game launch.
Story- I refined the documentary’s narrative structure by recording and syncing voiceover sections. The script uses clear, friendly language in an enthusiastic tone and aims to emphasise curiosity and discovery, aligning with my case studies.
I also ensured that the interactive game follows a similar narrative rhythm of eating, playing, sleeping—to create a connected experience.
Stylistic- This week I added soft transitions inspired by CBeebies shows. I also refined animation movements to be smoother and more expressive, making the tortoise feel more alive in-game.
Practical Skills:
I made my final edits in Premiere Pro: added music, voiceover, transitions, and final cuts.
Also, in Adobe Audition I improved the audio quality as best as I could. Finally, I used Adobe XD to make final developments on the game animations and adjusted the interactivity elements based on feedback from a focus group (siblings and peers)
Evaluation:
What Went Well-
1. I successfully synced narration with visuals, keeping the documentary light and engaging.
2. My interactive prototype is now fully functional, showing game flow clearly.
3. Animation quality improved through consistent frame rate and better layering.
Even Better If-
1. I test the game on different screen sizes to check accessibility.
2. I get peer feedback on my animation pacing and clarity.
3. I ensured the voiceover volume is consistent throughout the documentary and not overwhelmed by the background music.
Next week is Exhibition Week—I’ll finalise and present my work, gather feedback, and make final adjustments before submission. I’m excited to see how others respond to the interactive and documentary elements together.
Week 9 – Exhibition Week
Context:
This week was Exhibition Week, where I presented The Secret Life of Tortoise to peers for feedback. I used the exhibition as a chance to test my interactive learning space in a real-life context, including the Tamagotchi-style game and documentary hosted on my website.
My core audience—children aged 6–12 and their families—remained my focus as I refined both the tone and clearness of my content. The website, visuals, and sound were all polished to ensure a fun, informative, and accessible experience. Although predominantly people within the exhibition didn’t fall into to this demographic, I asked for them to decide what target audience my product would best appeal to. This helped me evaluate the success of my product.
Research:
Technical- I carried out final render exports in Premiere Pro, ensuring correct resolution, audio quality, and format for embedding into WordPress via Elementor.
I tested my game prototype fully in WordPress, as I attached it via a PlugIn. I also did final proofreading and formatting using Word, ensuring everything was tidy and submission ready.
Story- The Tamagotchi-style game allows players to feed, care for, and observe their digital tortoise, reinforcing what they learn in the documentary.
Stylistic- I kept the design soft and playful—using fonts and colour schemes inspired by National Geographic Kids, My Pet and Me, and CBeebies shows.
I also made final stylistic choices like using animated icons, soothing background music, and enthusiastic voiceover to maintain an age-appropriate, accessible tone.
Practical Skills:
I exported and embedded final documentary into WordPress site using block available in Elementor. I also connected game to the website using a WordPress plugin, allowing real user interactions. Through linking the Animated sprite loops with UI triggers, I was able to show animations based on user choice. Within my exhibition video, I created a feedback section using Microsoft Forms, for viewers to comment on design, clarity, and usability. I also backed up all work across multiple folders and formats.
Evaluation:
What Went Well-
1. My peers and visitors engaged positively with both the game and documentary.
2. The feedback form collected useful, constructive insights.
3. The site looked cohesive and professional, with clear navigation and bright visuals.
Even Better If-
1. I evaluate my feedback
2. I potentially get more feedback from my intended target audience
3. I create a “How to Play” instructions page or animation for the game section.
Next week is final evaluation and submission, where I’ll reflect deeply on the entire process and how well my outcomes met my intentions and audience goals.
Week 10 – Evaluation Page/ Deadline Week
Context:
This week marked the final stage of my project: writing a full evaluation, applying some final feedback from Exhibition Week, and submitting all materials. I reflected on how well I met my aim—to create an engaging, educational interactive space for children aged 6–12 and their families. My interactive learning space combines a short documentary and a Tamagotchi-style game, housed on a clean, age-appropriate WordPress site. The tone remains friendly, curious, and fact-based, inspired by family-friendly shows like My Pet and Me and National Geographic Kids.
Research:
Technical- I used Office Word to write my final evaluation and spell-check content across my site. Premiere Pro, Animate, and XD projects were exported in final versions and uploaded to the site. I made final file backups and tested the site on mobile, tablet, and desktop to ensure cross-platform compatibility. To support submission, I also prepared a final digital folder with labelled sections and source files to ensure all work was safely backed up.
Story- My documentary follows a clear narrative introducing the tortoise, showing its daily life, explaining biology, and ending on a comedic note.
The game mirrors this through interactive tasks like feeding, playing and cleaning. My goal was to reinforce learning by pairing passive viewing (documentary) with active engagement (game).
Stylistic- Stylistic inspiration remained consistent:
• My Pet and Me – warmth and accessibility
• National Geographic Kids – energetic facts and visuals
• The Hidden Life of Pets – macro shots and humorous commentary
These influences helped shape the tone, music, transitions, and voiceover choices.
Practical Skills:
I did a final proofreading, and grammar checks across all website text. Then I compressed and imported video content for smooth web playback. I also submitted my full documentation: Context, Research, Practical Skills, Problem Solving, Final Product, and Evaluation and exported project assets from Word, Premiere Pro, XD, Animate and WordPress as evidence.
Evaluation:
What Went Well-
1. The final product is engaging, well-organised, and clearly aimed at my audience.
2. The game and documentary link together effectively to support learning.
3. Exhibition Week helped me polish weaker areas, especially with navigation and accessibility.
Even Better If-
1. I had more time; I would develop more features with game levels or animations.
2. I’d explore more accessibility features (voice controls, captions for game actions).
3. I would test the project more thoroughly with younger users to gain wider feedback.
This project showed me the value of combining technical media skills with thoughtful design. I now feel more confident using Adobe software, designing for specific audiences, and creating digital experiences that educate and entertain. I’m proud of the result—and I’ve learned how to manage a multi-media project independently.
