USEF FOUNDATION
RapidPass &
TraceCovid
Interactive video & game
RapidPass &
TraceCovid
The Balance of Power, launched by ICT Group and the USEF Foundation, is a serious game designed to help non-technical stakeholders understand future energy market challenges. Players make tough decisions that shape the cost-effectiveness, sustainability, and security of a new energy system, gaining insight into the complexities of creating a future-proof solution.
⟡ CHALLENGES
Explaining the power grid and its sustainability challenges is complex, as it is deeply intertwined with society. While scientific studies communicate facts effectively, they can be dry and difficult to digest, lacking opportunities for users to engage with the intricacies and real-world effects firsthand.
⟡ ROLE
As one of 3 designers on this project, I was responsible for developing the overall visual treatment, user experience, and execution plans. I played a hands-on role in creating prototypes, videos, graphics, and other assets, integrating them into the game and testing with end users.
⟡ OBJECTIVES
Create an accessible, 30-60 minute experience that helps users understand the complexities of the power grid & sustainability challenges. Let users make their own decisions and show their consequences. Create a replayable experience that has a branching story with different outcomes.
⟡ OUTCOMES
The game was described as highly insightful and inspiring by students, politicians, local authorities, scientists and entrepreneurs in the energy sector. It won the 2019 Energy Institute Award for its learning potential. It increased USEF's website traffic substantially.
20 minutes
20 minutes
to play the interactive game
25 decisions
to keep out energy system safe
20 minutes
to play the interactive game
25 decisions
to keep out energy system safe
20 minutes
to play the
interactive game
25 decisions
to keep our
energy system safe
20 minutes
to play the interactive game
20 minutes
to play the interactive game
25 decisions
to keep out energy system safe
20 minutes
to play the interactive game
25 decisions
to keep out energy system safe
20 minutes
to play the
interactive game
25 decisions
to keep our
energy system safe
to play the interactive game
25 decisions
20 minutes
to play the interactive game
25 decisions
to keep out energy system safe
20 minutes
to play the interactive game
25 decisions
to keep out energy system safe
20 minutes
to play the
interactive game
25 decisions
to keep our
energy system safe
25 decisions
To keep our energy system safe
20 minutes
to play the interactive game
25 decisions
to keep out energy system safe
20 minutes
to play the interactive game
25 decisions
to keep out energy system safe
20 minutes
to play the
interactive game
25 decisions
to keep our
energy system safe
To keep our energy system safe
Balance of Power was the winner of the Energy Institute Award 2019 in the Public Engagement category.
Balance of Power was the winner
of the Energy Institute Award 2019
in the Public Engagement category.
Behind the scenes // process
Behind the scenes // process
Behind the scenes // process
Behind the scenes
Iteration process
Goal
The increasing demand for electricity, renewable energy and the rise of big energy-consuming appliances like electric vehicles are putting incredible pressure on the energy grid. We want to facilitate learning and discussion by presenting real-life energy system challenges and future scenarios. Let users experience the different roles within the system and the implications of different decisions.
Challenges
Goal
The increasing demand for electricity, renewable energy and the rise of things like electric vehicles are putting incredible pressure on the energy grid. Facilitate learning and discussion by presenting real-life energy system challenges and future scenarios. Let users experience the different roles within the system and the implications of different decisions.
Challenges
- Should be playable on both desktop & mobile without installing any app. (Limited to standard web-conventions and its limitations).
- Should be highly immersive and create a sense of urgency with the user.
- Should show different scenario's, including its positive and negative complexities, and have the user make decisions within it that could lead to multiple outcomes.
- Comply with established guidelines and be aware of anything
that can reflect negatively on the organisation' reputation. - Ideally use the established color palette, art direction & tone of voice.
- The game should be playable in both English and German.
- The game should be playable within ~1h by 3 to 6 people in a relaxed
setting while still providing a clear take-away of info & understanding. - The physical element should be easy to (re)produce, resist
basic scratch damage and lends itself to be dismantled for storage. - The game should be playable in different settings & environments,
with various lighting conditions that can affect object tracking.
- Should be playable on both desktop
& mobile without installing any app. (Limited to standard web-conventions and its limitations). - Should be highly immersive & create
a sense of urgency with the user. - Should show different scenario's, including its positive and negative complexities, and have the user make decisions within it that could lead to multiple outcomes.
Creating the outline
With a team of designers & writers we created multiple iterations of the story & script. This took a few tries due to the complexity of the branching storylines and having to cover the possible scenario's with logical outcomes. On shooting day, some lines and scenes weren't coming out as expected so this took some on-the-spot alterations to make sure the story came through as intended.
With a team of designers & writers we created multiple iterations of the story & script. This took a few tries due to the complexity of the branching storylines and having to cover the possible scenario's with logical outcomes. On shooting day, some lines and scenes weren't coming out as expected so this took some on-the-spot alterations to make sure the story came through as intended.
To get a better feel for the scenes, establish the camera movement/ angles and define what else we needed to create, we used very rough sketches to make prototype videos. This helped a lot to derisk the shooting day itself, as delays or reshoots can be rather costly, but also enabled us to align properly with the client on which direction we wanted to take it and spot any gaps.
Shaping the identity
Creating an interactive documentary, we drew inspiration from documentaries, action films, and news reports. We used key visuals as a foundation for experimentation, blending them with the client's brand colors. Ultimately, we chose a contrast-rich video style with a touch of minimalism and a futuristic look to ensure readability on all devices.
Our UI underwent multiple iterations & user tests to identify the best interaction patterns, prioritizing multi-device support & readability.
Creating an interactive documentary, we drew inspiration from documentaries, action films, and news reports. We used key visuals as a foundation for experimentation, blending them with the client's brand colors. Ultimately, we chose a contrast-rich video style with a touch of minimalism and a futuristic look to ensure readability on all devices.
Our UI underwent multiple iterations & user tests to identify the best interaction patterns, prioritizing multi-device support & readability.
These foundations were also used to find the right type of color grading, video pacing, audio, transitions & effects used while editing the videos during post-production. To facilitate all the branching paths, we ended up creating over 100 videos & animations that connected seamlessly based on the choices the user made.
All of them were rendered in multiple resolutions to facilitate dynamic streaming for users with low bandwidth .
These foundations were also used to find the right type of color grading, video pacing, audio, transitions & effects used while editing the videos during post-production. To facilitate all the branching paths, we ended up creating over 100 videos & animations that connected seamlessly based on the choices the user made.
All of them were rendered in multiple resolutions to facilitate dynamic streaming for users with low bandwidth .
In Memory of Basiel Jaspers, fellow
designer on this project. I miss you.
In memory of Basiel Jaspers, fellow designer on this project. I miss you.
A &ranj production
Prajeev Rasiah
Executive Vice President Northern Europe, Middle East & Africa
"The Public Engagement award is a recognition of the stand-out work delivered by the USEF foundation in raising awareness of the complexity of issues at the heart of the transition to a smart, flexible and low carbon energy system."
Other projects
Wow, you made it to the end!
Wow, you made it to the end!
If you have a similar project in mind, I'd love to help you out. Book a call so we can chat and get to know each other.
But you might be wondering if we're a fit, right? Explore my work below, learn more about me or lets set up a call to talk about your challenges, no strings attached.
If you have a similar project in mind, I'd love to help you out. Book a call so we can chat and get to know each other.