How I Turned a Doodle into a Product in Just 27 Days!

Get your popcorn ready. It's storytime everyone!

Following the successful launch of "The Big Book of Career Doodles: 87 Visual Ideas to Inspire a Great Career," I found myself facing the inevitable question: "What's next?"

My response? Yes, indeed! Another book filled with visual ideas and doodles is already in the works. It'll be a bit shorter, with fewer doodles and sketches, but stay tuned; I'll share more about that project another time.

Apologies for the brief detour. Let's get back on track.

For those who attended the book launch, you might have noticed some physical products inspired by the book's doodles.

After the launch, I was invited to facilitate a workshop with Taiwanese school teachers. The session centered on using visuals and metaphors in career conversations. Here's a sneak peek into that enlightening experience.

This session triggered an idea.

I decided to take the doodles and sketches from the book, along with some of my own creations, and turn them into a game. The choice was a no-brainer: Snakes and Ladders, a game most of us have played at least once in our lives, filled with memories of summer days spent with cousins.

If you haven't read the book, this is the doodle I'm talking about:

The initial challenge was designing a game board that not only promised fun but also offered insights and motivation for action. Why a game? Well, there's substantial research on how gamification, or playing games, can benefit us:

1. Taking Action: Unlike lengthy talks that leave you with knowledge but fewer actions, games put you in charge and encourage action.
2. Discovery: Games allow you to discover more about yourself in real time.
3. Fun: Who doesn't love a good game? The stories and lessons from past games like soccer, cricket, and beach volleyball are still cherished.
4. Learning: Playing games further solidifies and strengthens learning.

Here's a glimpse of my first draft for the Snakes and Ladders board:

This is the designed game board.

The next step was to develop the content for snakes, ladders, and power-ups with relevant cards containing actions. I ended up developing 14 snakes and ladders and 10 power-up cards.

Now the major challange was which material should I use to build the game. I have previosuly printed the doodle on corflute (that is made from corrugated polypropylene). This is how it turned out.

It was workable, but not for suited for play. It was very light weight and lacked the substance - physically and metaphorically!

And, the search for suitable material continued.

Usually the snakes and ladders game boards are available on cardboard. How about cardboard? It works and might be cheapers, but won't be able to survive the continous use. It won't work.

How about acrylic? I think it is a good material - won't break and looks great too. However, it comes in 3 to 6mm thickness and would not be suitable for the product.

How about wooden sheet? That might just work. I checked on Alibaba for the suppliers of wooden games and found a few who can customise the board and ship it to Melbourne.

But, boy it was way to expensive for few prototypes.

I then thought about doing it locally. That is why Bunnings exist.

The next question is how do I print on it?

Printing on wooden sheet is bloody expensive - $30 for a 30X 30cm. No way! I am trying to frugally build a prototype.

I asked the printer who did the first prototype if he can print stickers for the wooden sheet. He said, "Yes, not only I can print it, but also apply them on the wooden sheets." Wow! Talk about customer service!

I immediately dashed to Bunnings and got two 9mm thick MDF wooden sheets that is sufficient to make 12 boards of 30X30cm boards. It costed me $40.

I then reached out to a friend of mine who have recently started PATCO creations Pty Ltd (https://www.patcocreations.com.au/) and they manufature cabinets.

One friday morning I made a visit to his factory and got the large size wooden sheets cut into 30X30cm pieces.

Now I got the basic game boards of 30X30cm and 9mm thick.

Sent everything to the printer and waited for the final products.

And, this is how it turned out to be.

I am so proud of myself!

What's inside the Instruction Manual and Participant Exercise Book?

Now the next challange is to design the packaging.

I've developed six prototypes and am keen to share five of them with individuals interested in experimenting with the game and providing valuable feedback. If you'd like one, please drop me a LinkedIn DM, and let's start a conversation.

Let's gamify Career Development! This is just the beginning.