05: Tea Cards

Illustration: Tea Cards a snail mail story @smartigraphicdesign

Paper and pen has a way of elevating ordinary moments through nostalgic snail mail. As a military brat, cards, letters and stamps all had a way of keeping me tethered to the people I loved. So for a couple of years in a row, I've set aside time and energy to draw out a card, write a letter and slip a little bag of tea inside. I called them Tea Cards.

I typically sent them out during the lull months in the springtime when no one expects a missive. The surprise really gets people. Take that, conformity! I would often receive a phone call/whatsapp message in response. Sometimes I even got a letter back. For sure, my parents would hear about how so-and-so got their tea card and how the gesture was appreciated. I liked the idea that it was a little bit of love glowing in their hands. Here's a short montage of the different tea cards I've sent:

Photo Tea Card Montage @smartigraphicdesign

I took a break during corona years because my social circle contracted and I needed a bit of a pause from internal pressures. But I've been meaning to bring back the tradition and so I'm reminding myself of how it all comes together. Maybe it will also inspire you?

Hunt Out a Tea

It doesn't have to be a tea. But I like sending something like a small pouch of tea that will have a whole ritual behind it - boil water, steep the sachet, smell the aroma, pour, sip, etc. It's an act of slowing down that involves all the senses. And at the very least, it can be easily composted in case your recipients don't like the chosen tea. For that reason, I normally choose an herbal infusion. Earthy, fragrant, calming. I always make sure it has a little paper envelope surrounding it to help retain the tea's potency while it travels.

Doodle Designs

Don't overthink this part, sometimes it's just a color that matches the tea, or a poem that springs to mind. One year Abuela taught me to embroider so I made a mock embroidered design for the tea card. Something joyful with small patterns or details that can bring extra delight when repurposed for stickers or envelope edging.

Print Card, Sticker and Envelope

I hunt out companies locally that can print my designs. Lately, I've been using noissue for their eco-based printing services - recycled paper and soy-based inks. I want my tea cards to bring ephemeral compostable cheer, not everlasting waste.

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Photos Left to Right: (1) Layout of 2017 envelope/card/sticker detail, (2) Closeup of 2019 embroidery work that inspired a tea card. @smartigraphicdesign

Block Off Time

After a quick assembly line packing the cards, I stack them up and plan to block off time from my schedule. It typically takes me 10min to write a card because my handwriting is small and I like to fill up a card so that it takes at least a couple of minutes to read - enough to legitimize a cup of tea. Sometimes I plan to do one card a day as a morning warm-up. Sometimes I plan to do cards for one full evening every week. Once, I took them on a long overseas flight starting to write at plane taxi-ed and finishing them all just as the plane landed.

Write a Master Card and Brainstorm Non-Sequitors

A trick to getting the brain flowing is that I write a master card to my snarkiest friend. Oooh how my pen flows when I write to them! So I give the whole update on the biggest, the latest, the greatest ups and downs of the past year or so. Most of the time, the master card feature the overly touted highlights of the year.

And then I brainstorm a bunch of non-sequitor ideas - all the other things that I've been saving up. Philosophi-silliness. I share the moments that made me question life, the thoughts that made me laugh, the things I got to witness, the fights and mental hang-ups that I'm working through. It helps to flip through recent notebooks and see where my brain has taken me.

And then I write each person individually. Sometimes they get a version of the master card. Sometimes they get a little piece of my soul. Either way, I try to make it as personal as I can and connect as best as I can. Every relationship is different, so I try to honor that.

Mail & Rest

Once I've written out a nice pack, I like to send it out old-school through a post box. Hunting out postage stamps and post-boxes has become a lot harder the last couple of years as more and more old-school things become outdated, elusive and (wah-wah) digital. And yet, I've still managed to eke them out! Sometimes I think that sending out regular mail is a fight against the laws of modernity.

I know that mail is a lost art, and very few people keep up the practice - and I know that it's a privilege because life is busy for so many people. Even I've lost touch from time to time! But it's always nice to get back into the act of writing and share it in the charm of a tea card.

Happy snail-mailing!

smarti

04: Making a Treasure Hunt Part 2 of 2

Illustration: Making a Treasure Hunt Part 2 @smartigraphicdesign

Last month, I shared about how I start my treasure hunt projects. I covered making a map, identifying hot spots, listing out themes, brainstorming challenges and testing clues and challenges for robustness. That's normally a joyful ride of creation. Now, I'll be sharing how I finish my treasure hunt projects by bringing everything under the same visual tent with graphic design skills, printing, assembling and setting it up for my lucky participants. This is when the project phase gets a little technical and sometimes tedious leading up to the final confetti throw. But hang in there, the ride at the end will be worth it. Here's what's left:

6) choose branding style, colors and illustrations

7) level up all of the challenges with branding (*this part takes the longest)

8) print

9) assemble

10) deliver and let them enjoy

+) if you are feeling encouraged, tweak and reset for others to play

6. CHOOSE BRANDING DETAILS

Branding is a special place where the character of a project becomes tangible. Certain style, colors, illustrations, logos, patterns, and motifs will fit with the hunt and the participants. I take the theme and look at natural colors from photographs of the route. Sometimes these design choices just pop up naturally. Sometimes it's a mix and match of fun combinations.

Buenos Aires was a quirky walk through several neighborhoods, so I used a pattern of pink, white and yellow colored dots to designate different spaces with clean bold type. Paris was a magic exploration for young children, so it was a monochromatic blue theme with gritty black and white pencil drawings. For the last treasure hunt that I made in Copenhagen, I combined an old Scandinavian typography with some playfully bright drawings of the Hans Christian Andersen stories.

Here are some questions I consider:

What kind of personality does the hunt have? determines color, voice

What things are identified with this particular hunt? determines motifs, typography

How is this hunt different from others? determines patterns, special logo

branding treasure hunts © thesmarti

7. LEVEL UP CHALLENGES WITH BRANDING

Take all of the differently designed pieces and set them up together in the same design space. I like to make a giant master Adobe Illustrator file and drop all my assets there - logo, patterns, colors, motifs, typography choices. Then I make a separate Adobe Illustrator file with A3 pages with all the measured little clue pieces, envelopes, boxes and extras. Since I do double-sided printing, I make sure that the pages all have the same grid and match up pages in pairs so that they print seamlessly. Note to self: remember to give a little bleed extension to make sure the pattern or color doesn't get cut off.

Sometimes it is easiest to blanket everything under the same color and then start differentiating from there. If all the clues are used on the same day, then I make everything uniform. But if the treasure hunt has multiple days, I like to give every day a little different coloring so that the distinction is easy to see.

8. PRINT

In this process, some clues will need to be reset because the printing process will change them - either because the paper becomes thicker, or the quality no longer works. Because clue-making is a tangible process, you won't know until you print it out. So I normally go to the printers and print and test out the design in batches to make sure it still works.

It takes a couple of visits to the printers to get this part right. I always forget this and have a moment where I go to the printers and think I've finally figured it out and become a genius level designer! But then my eye will scan and see small design mistakes and I'll have to go back to print. With flexible printers I know, I will just stay nearby and go back and forth printing different stages. If not, I'll do it in batches over a week until I have everything. I always have to remind myself to celebrate the small wins as I go along. Ah, silly me.

Photo 1: Scissors and tape in the assembly of the Copenhagen Treasure Hunt 2022 clues.

9. ASSEMBLE

Cut, fold, bind, paste, set, slide. Get crafty. This is the adult version of the 4th grade. Use your cutting mat. Bring out your tools. Wear safety googles. Make all the things come to life.

If I'm honest, all the stages of leveling up, printing, assembling happen in overlap. There are some pieces that will come together sooner. Anyway, take joy in the crafting stage of the assembly. It really is joyous to bring something from scribbled idea into real life. Get in it!

Photo 2: Layout of the clues in day color coordination for Copenhagen Treasure Hunt 2022 © thesmarti

10. DELIVER AND LET PARTICIPANTS ENJOY

Once assembled, set them up for display. There are a variety of ways to do this - wreaths, cubby holes, display boxes, baskets, hanging photos. In some cases, displaying won't be necessary because the hunt might be a hidden process. But I'm a visual person and I normally make these for younger people, so leaving the visual interest in the open hypes up the experience. It also makes it more visually accessible and pleasurable for everyone. Note to self, remember to take a lot of photographs to congratulate yourself on the creation phase, because as people play, the clues will get broken into and naturally wear out.

I like to make a one-page introduction and directions to start the treasure hunt. This is helpful for the participants so that they can get a first briefing to quell the initial questions that percolate. Then it serves as a refreshing re-read at anytime to re-orient the participant. It's a very useful tool because the start of a treasure hunt is often nebulous. It only takes shape and make sense as participants start to solve challenges. Frankly, an introduction/direction letter also serves double purpose as it takes the pressure off of the maker to be omniscient or present during the hunt. Then (if you want to) the hunt can stand independently.

Which brings me to my next point - with adults, I do not participate alongside. But with little ones, I often join for the ride. And it is the greatest challenge to decide when to help and when to let them figure it out. My niece and nephew know this and they milk me for hints or suggestions. What can I say? I love these kiddos. As they grow up, I'm learning to just provide encouragement.

In every hunt, I'm surprised by how the challenges/clues play out. Things that "tested" as easy, can sometimes stump other people. And then sometimes the other way around - things that took me forever to create and figure out, are solved in seconds! It's never the same hunt, no matter who plays. I chalk it all up to different range of intelligences and capacities. It's always a joy to see it unfold.

Photo 3: Display case for the some of the Copenhagen Treasure Hunt 2022 clues and tokens © thesmarti

+) TWEAK

This next stage is just a suggestion, because it's not for everyone. But if you are feeling encouraged, tweak the clues, reset and let new participants play. The treasure hunts that I make are typically very personal, so I don't re-use them. But there's a possibility there to make them more generic for the masses. Depends on what your purpose is.

One thing is for sure - crafting a treasure hunt is a head game. You have to be crazy enough to build something unknown, dreaming it up in your head, breaking down the little defaults that'll trip up the journey, taking the time to do all the little things to smooth it all out and make it work. Even with all the testing, some little part will fail.

Maybe a more genius person could build it better and faster, but I think I do alright as a creative. Half the time I have to convince myself to make it smaller, easier and with fewer parts. But it's nice to honor my inner child, and build up the challenging puzzles and games that I want to share with others. My hope is that I'm gifting a worthwhile adventure!

Happy treasure-hunt-making,

smarti

#treasure #hunt #map #challenge #groupactivity #design #custom #delight

03: Making a Treasure Hunt Part 1 of 2

Illustration Making a Treasure Hunt Part 1 @smartigraphicdesign

Cut-out clues, paper ciphers, tiny puzzles - a treasure hunt awaits! As a kid, I enjoyed the magic lore of a treasure hunt. Now as a traveling expat, I find joy in building them for other people. It started as a way to gamify the tourist experience for my young niece and nephew - they visit me at almost every location I've been stationed. But the past couple of years I've also made other similar challenges for friends and I'd like to share some of my tips and tricks.

Note: This is different than a scavenger hunt. In a scavenger hunt you are searching for items in order to make a collection of things you've seen/done/eaten to report later. In a treasure hunt, you are searching for a consecutive series of clues that lead to a final prize. In my treasure hunts, I also loop in local experiences and treats along the way.

Granted, I'm still perfecting my techniques, and each situation changes, but here's what I've sort of analyzed is my process:

1) make a map of the location

2) choose the hot spots of interest

3) list out a theme that works

4) brainstorm possible challenges

5) make, test, break and fix challenges

6) choose branding style, colors and illustrations

7) level up all of the challenges with branding (*this part takes the longest)

8) print

9) assemble

10) deliver and let them enjoy

+) if you are feeling encouraged, tweak and reset for others to play

Since this is a big process, I'll break the process into 2 posts. Read on for Part 1:

1. MAKE A MAP

Making a map is important to make sure that you know the layout of the space/neighborhood/city. This is for three reasons - 1) ensure it's a walkable route, 2) simplify orientation, and 3) line up the hot spots.

First things first, a map will help you judge distance better. And that distance needs to be walkable. (Side note: Its easy to make unwalkable mistakes. One time, a willing adventurer traipsed the entire west end of London in one afternoon. Eep!) I used to time myself on a walk, going slowly and adding in minutes for re-orientation. But when you know the way, your estimates are going to be skewed for efficiency. Nowadays, Google Maps makes this a hundred times easier because you can map out the route and get a time estimate. Always add in fluff time to the estimate. For my purposes, I never aim for anything more than 1 hour long because it could easily triple for newcomers.

Which leads nicely into the second reason: city walking is a disorienting task for any tourist. Even with a smartphone it's hard to know which way to turn or where to go sometimes. I want to believe everyone has had that moment where the Google arrow is pointing one way, and then suddenly reappears somewhere else. So, cut the confusion, and make a map first so you can visually simplify the route.

Finally, a map will help you consider the placement, proximity and pathway for all the hot spots so you can line them up in a straightforward journey. It helps give implicit encouragement that the participants are moving in one solid and correct direction. I try to avoid backtracking in any of my treasure hunts for the same reason.

Normally I like to build my own map in adobe illustrator with Google Map screenshots references. Then I print it out because I love tangible things. But it's a lot of work - so you could easily shortcut by just use the Google Maps screenshot OR a printed map from local city hall.

2. CHOOSE HOT SPOTS

Choosing hot spots is relative - it will depend upon whoever you are designing the treasure hunt for and why. This is when you need to know the recipient well. Basic tourist locations, gorgeous architecture, quirky design shops, beautiful cafes, excellent vintage shops - you can really go in any direction that works. For my niece and nephew, I often chose two or three traditional tourist locations as challenges and then mix in age appropriate playgrounds, cafes and toy shops as rewards along the way. And I always plan for a final treasure - often as an experience gift to a special place.

Here are the questions I ask about my participants before I prepare a treasure hunt:

1) What is their age and health? This determines if they can walk long distances or need more down time and recovery. Some 5 year olds can outlast 65 year olds, and sometimes it's the other way around.

2) When they plan vacations - what are their top 3 interests? Some people really need to see the main touristy things, some people want to sample vegan cuisine, some people light up for quirky design (I know I do!)

3) When they plan downtime - what do they aim for? Some people pine for adrenaline-inducing activities of big vistas, some people love browsing/hunting at bookstores or thrift stores, some people want soft indulgent pampering. Be considerate of including these along the way.

4) What are things I'd be sad if they didn't see? Sometimes you know what is lame or overrated, and you can find bizarre special things that will make their experience sparkle.

3. LIST OUT A THEME

Themes are important to create a sense of unity and a splash of whimsy. I like to think it's the underlying story that helps tie everything together. In London, I mixed the theme as graphic design and visual novelties. In Buenos Aires, the theme was a quirky neighborhood walk of graffiti and unique spaces. In Paris, the theme was funny iconic French things and classic museum finds. In Copenhagen, the theme was based on the stories of Hans Christian Andersen.

Sometimes the themes helps me weave together a narrative of what to look for, and what experiences should be part of the journey. Sometimes it just helps me understand how to dream up a cohesive branding, colors and design style. Mostly it helps me to think of appropriate challenges. For example, in the Paris treasure hunt, my niece and nephew were quite young, so I made a memory game that would help them associate the right names with the right tourist attractions like the Eiffel Tower and Sacré Couer.

4. BRAINSTORM CHALLENGES

Ah, the challenges! Challenges is where the design gets tricky. Every time I make a treasure hunt, I have to make a completely new list of challenges. I could probably just recycle old ideas, but I like the brainstorming part! It is easily frustrating, but silly me, I love a challenge! To start, I typically collect good Idas on Pinterest, or browse through specialty hunt websites: https://www.treasure-hunt-ideas.co.uk/all-ideas.

I make a master list with all the hot spots, the theme and start thinking about what would be joyous, tricky and enticing to discover. It can be helpful to go through the senses - smelling, tasting, touching, hearing, seeing. Smell - finding a bottled scent of rose water as a clue to go to the rose section in the botanic gardens. Taste - making a donut treat spell out the letters of the next location. Touching - feeling the letters out in braille to decipher the next clue. Hearing - listening to a playlist to identify the song with a code in the lyrics. Seeing - transparent sheets with writing that when overlayed on a map, point out the next destination.

I like to make most of my challenges as paper toys and ephemeral experiences. But I have added other twists, like lockboxes, shadow art, and actual hidden treasure boxes. Sometimes I am lucky and a museum or a store will let me leave items behind for the recipient to find, but it depends on the situation and who you ask. London museums wouldn't let me leave anything behind because of security risks. But Copenhagen museum directors were lenient and creative and willing to help me make something special. It never hurts to ask!

5. MAKE, TEST, BREAK and FIX

Make, test, break and fix challenges. The tangible stage. Set up a mock version of the clue/challenge. This is where the ephemeral part starts to take shape. Does the alphabet code really spell out the right clue? Can you leave a bookmark clue in the library book for a week? Are the visual clues easy enough to see on transparent paper? Will the hot dog vendor be able to spell out the whole clue in ketchup? Does the candle melt down to reveal a legible message? Does the wax paper fold origami-like to reveal the clue?

By this point, you've tested out the walk, visited the spaces, made the clues so your brain and eyes have already mastered the process. Bring in fresh eyes! Loop in other accomplices like parents, friends and neighbors. A whole range of people have been privy to this stage of my design process with random requests to test out a small puzzle or a clue. Sometimes they get just as much of a kick out of the testing as I do and are helpful to brainstorm foolproof solutions when things go wrong - which is inevitable. That's half the joy! Being diligent to fix it when its broken is what makes the clues robust and fantastic.

Here are 3 examples of challenges I tested on my latest treasure hunt:

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Photos @smartigraphicdesign

[From Left to Right:]

1) map coordinates lead to hidden box-in-box-in-box. The last box has a visual code puzzle that leads to the next location,

2) long matches line up to reveal a rhyme for a donut treat coupon,

3) Spotify music codes playlist line up. One of the songs lyrics repeat a numerical clue title that unlocks a lockbox.

That's half of the process for now. I hope it helps you squeeze some juicy inspiration into your projects. Next month, look for Part 2 of this post when I share the second half of my process. This is when I put my designer glasses on and graphic design the snot out of everything to bring it to life, then print, set and let my participants play!

Happy clue-making,

smarti

#treasure #hunt #map #challenge #groupactivity #design #custom #delight