I worked on a really different project this past summer, for Pathfinder International, a non-profit organization based in Watertown, MA. Since 1957, Pathfinder has partnered with local governments, communities, and health systems to remove barriers to sexual and reproductive health services. Together, they expand access to contraception, promote healthy pregnancies, save women’s lives, and stop the spread of HIV infections so young people can choose their path forward. They devised an educational game called La Chance aimed at young female teens in Burkina Faso, West Africa.
I was provided with this prototype that was used for game development in local schools there.
I worked with Jessica Simmons and Braden Buehler of Springtide Studio in Portland, Maine to come up with a specific yet lively solution to the game board illustration.
I found this photo when researching Burkina Faso that inspired several patterns that appear in the game’s border.
The game is one of chance, of course, with teams playing to move along distinct paths, which involves discerning rumor from facts in sexual practices and consequences.
The prototype’s design was from one side’s view. I wanted to illustrate from all sides. I began by drawing lots of loose ideas, with the first one about talking. The game is meant to engage conversations and overcome stigmas and assumptions.
Each of the elements have a particular role in play, and I found I had to do lots and lots of preliminary sketching to get going. Along with drawing young girls, I was trying to incorporate the game’s title.
I tried variations on lettering, here are a couple.
I put this together in a rough way.
I found it a bit mind-boggling getting all the pieces to fit together. We had a few conference calls that involved the designer, a project coordinator with Pathfinder, and local staff in Burkina Faso. We discussed the details of girls’ posture, expression, clothing, and hair, as well as the local architecture. I kept a life-size paper cut-out of the game board on my dining room table for over a month, where I could move around the elements for various needed revisions. There were many, many versions that led to the final. Here’s three.
Meanwhile, there were color choices. Springtide submitted several options, this being one.
Once the Pantone colors were determined, I began color studies.
I tried matching the color samples with my pastels.
I kept the illustration in black and white, with only color backgrounds for the board. This was one of several options presented.
This version got the go-ahead.
I began doing each element as final art, and here are a few.
Once all the final illustrations were sent to the designer, I began working on spot illustration for a poster that connected the game’s information to local health centers.
All of this was handled digitally, meaning I didn’t meet with Springtide until October, when we shared lunch at the East Ender. So good to see them in person!
Recently I received this evidence that girls in Burkina Faso are ready to play La Chance!
Many thanks to Pathfinder and Springtide for this wonderful project!
This is my collage made from unused bits as a celebration of being all done.
May all who play La Chance learn about their choices while having fun.
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Thanks for using your art to support women on the other side of the world!
Thanks, dear Kirsten!
What a wonderful opportunity Jamie. I so appreciate your process and loved your path. Thanks so much for sharing your journey with us. Ditto what Kirsten said!
Thanks for reading and your enthusiasm, Peg!
Congratulations!
What a wonderful project, JAMIE, and how fortunate for them to find you as their designer . Knowing you, I can only imagine how much you also loved working on it.
Thanks again for taking us along on this new and different ride into your world of art!
Thanks, Gunnel, it was a really different ride!
There is just so much to say about what you have created here, Jamie. I’m big on conversation but not so great about games but this “game” is entirely different..it’s all about provoking conversation about taboo and often secret subjects. Plus, it’s beautiful and lively art to look at…Every one is a winner with this game. For all our “sophistication” in our North American culture my hunch is that the subjects discussed by les jeunes filles in Burkina Faso are still conversations difficult for young women in our own country to have. Maybe a North American game board should be available, oui? What wonderful work you have been involved in….Merci!
Thanks, Nicole, I think it would be a good game anytime, anywhere!
Fantastic! I so enjoyed seeing how you went about doing this project. I feel privileged to have see this work. Great work, Jamie. I think of what this means, to so many young women.
Thanks, Jeanne. It was a really different project and I’m so glad it’s in the world!
This post and your comments make me so happy. Thank you, all! I lead the (re)solve project at Pathfinder – the project that is working with unmarried school girls in Burkina. We also work in Bangladesh and Ethiopia. I had the distinct privilege of working with Jamie and Jessica and seeing this creative process unfold and it was magnificent. I want to say “thank you” to all for your incredibly kind comments about the project and Jamie’s work – I second them all, despite my own bias. What I loved most about this board game is that every element of the game is backed by science and Jamie’s incredible skills enhance the science to make it attractive, appealing, resonant, and fun for girls in Ouagadougou and Bobo Dioulasso (where this game is being implemented now). Working with Jamie was an incredibly rewarding experience. She worked her magic with photos we had taken, researched local fabric patterns and incorporated her beautiful illustrations, while adapting the illustrations, design, and colors based on feedback we were getting from our team in Burkina and the girls themselves. Thank you, Jamie! You really brought our idea to life.
Reshma, I am delighted by your kind words and the deep commitment to this mission and it’s audience. All of your research and input made my job so much easier! Thanks so much!