auckland botanic gardens

A team of three, we were tasked with creating a learning resource for Auckland Council's Education for Sustainability programme. Their 'Learning Through Experience' programme held at the Auckland Botanic Gardens specifically catered towards children aged 6-10 where the lifecycle of a seed is explored through visual and sensory interactions. Puzzles form an integral part of this experience and allow both children and instructors to engage in discussion around this cycle.

The client wanted a more robust puzzle that engaged children who solved it too quickly, freeing up his time to help those who needed more assistance. He needed a puzzle that was hardy and wouldn't break. He also wanted a way for teacher aids or parent helpers to know immediately upon first glance whether the lifecycle was in the correct order.

Our solution was to create a multi-sided wood block puzzle that engages children at different competency levels, from the cycle of a Kowhai flower to the inner puzzles branching off into animal life supported by these flowers. Wood carvings replicate the texture and shapes of seed pods and leaves. Embedded magnets in conjunction with the use of solid colour serves as an additional guide to completing the puzzle in the correct formation.

I was responsible for the multi sided wood block concept, magnetised elements and final artwork.