When entering college, young adults find themselves exposed to new people and perspectives. This new environment leads to difficult conversations about sensitive topics that many people are uncomfortable or unprepared to address. Let’s Taco ‘Bout It is a card game designed to guide young people in their exploration of difficult conversation topics such as religion, politics, personal, finance, and sex and sexuality.
Using the “conversation in a box” approach, participants are exposed to topics in a welcoming, comfortable environment where they can practice the skills necessary to have productive conversations about difficult topics and build empathy. By introducing this element of gamification, difficult conversations become less intimidating and encourage open-mindedness instead of judgement.
Let's Taco 'Bout It
A soft shell take on hard shell conversations
Role
Visual Design Lead
Skills
Focus Groups
AB Testing
Product Design
Team
Brittany Reyes
Kate Bender
Jasmine Atttanasio
Leo Caballero
Timeline
10 Weeks
Rookie Awards 2020
Product Design — Highly Commended
Indigo Design Awards 2021
One Silver, Two bronze
UX Problem
Problem
College students and young adults need more preparation for difficult conversations they are encountering now and in the future.
Target Users
Ages 18 – 22
How might we...
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develop the skills necessary to have productive conversations?
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facilitate productive conversations around difficult topics?
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develop a more positive mindset when entering a difficult conversation?
Topic Cards
These cards spice up the game with questions for discussion surrounding political, financial, sexual, personal, and religious topics. As with hot sauce, these prompts are categorized by spicy, medium, and mild to allow users more control over the game’s progression and topic. These topics, and their rating system, were born from user feedback and extensive surveys sent to our target user group.
Ingredient Cards
Sometimes we just need the right ingredients to start a productive conversation. Each round, players lay Ingredient Cards to act as a statement starter when discussing a prompt. Ingredient Cards are perfect for nervous players and have proven in testing to move conversations in unexpected, new directions.
Chill Churro Cards
Despite ground rules, icebreaker rounder, and friendly colors, it is human nature to become uncomfortable or angry when discussing difficult topics. The Chill Churro Cards may be played at any time and contain a myriad of silly questions to re-establish a positive environment for play.
Process Overview
Kayley
19
Mediator
Open-mindedness
Kayley is a college freshman. She is away from home for the first time and has been finding herself in the middle of difficult conversations with her peers. Usually she avoids these types of conversations.
Age
Needs
Sara
20
To feel heard
Confidence
Sara is in her second year of college. Vulnerability has been a huge topic surrounding Sara whose relationships with her friends and girlfriend are beginning to suffer because of her inability to communicate effectively.
Age
Needs
Mario
21
Keep a level head
Practice starting
Mario is about to graduate and move into the real world. He is beginning to notice tension with his parents because he needs to begin paying off student loans soon. Mario is avoiding this conversation.
Age
Needs
