design

--- In spacesettlers@y..., "Ed Minchau" wrote:
> --- In spacesettlers@y..., "Pebblerock Design Co"
> wrote:
> > Hi all,
> >
> > My apologies if this is of topic.
> >
> > I'm a 2nd Product Design Student in Scotland and have have
recently
> been
> > given a joint project with an interior designer from NASA. I'm in
> need of
> > some assistance/feedback in a number of areas and thought you's
> could help.
> >
> > My brief is to design a game for to or more astronauts. However
> there are a
> > number of factors that will affect my final design:
> >
> > The crew is multinational, but all speak and read english
> > They all have differing abilities
> > The game must be benificial to the crew in either physically or
> mentally
> > They're on mission to mars. Its takes 5 year to get there,
> >
> > The game is intended to alleviate boredom, stress, being in a
> confined
> > spavce for a length of time,etc,etc
> >
> I suggest a chess set. The rules are already well-established, the
> games have nearly infinite variety, and it will definitely keep
their
> minds occupied during long periods of relative inactivity on the
trip
> out or back. The pieces may be made of lightweight material, say
> plastic with magnets in the bases, and a metallic board.
> :) ed

Actually, I favor a variety of games. Only a chess lover could stay
interested in playing nothing but chess for years.

Unless I'm horribly misguided, the ship will have a computer with
extra memory. A series of different computer games from multiplayer
to solo would not take up much physical space.

For exercise and physical play, there could be a number of games based
on a simple inflatable spherical rubber ball like a soccer ball
(though I believe outside the USofA such things are called footballs.)

So I basically favor something like a computer or a rubber ball that
could be used in many different ways.

Rick Brooks