https://tinytown.world Tiny Town Fri, 22 Jul 2022 15:37:43 +0000 https://tinytown.world en https://tinytown.world/Front-Page Tue, 07 Jul 2020 15:47:11 +0000 Tiny Town https://tinytown.world/Front-Page The children of Tiny Town leave their homes for the first time to discover each other and a world beyond. Together, they make objects that help them play, communicate, love and search for what they have been missing. https://tinytown.world/About Tue, 07 Jul 2020 15:47:10 +0000 Tiny Town https://tinytown.world/About AboutTiny Town is an extracurricular browser-based roleplaying journey, screenshared on Zoom for children. Children play characters they have designed in a world that they have collectively built with their drawings, sculptures and found things. ValuesWe want players in Tiny Town to feel welcome, heard, ready, embodied, empowered, creative, honored, positively challenged, excited, curious, emotional, wonderful, generous, vulnerable. <img width="640" height="432" width_o="640" height_o="432" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/06c3c4b31ff2203e5f83a69628c1fa86f60c92cea269d7156ccb4f3b295aaddc/robber.gif" data-mid="86185876" border="0" data-scale="25" data-icon-mode src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/640/i/06c3c4b31ff2203e5f83a69628c1fa86f60c92cea269d7156ccb4f3b295aaddc/robber.gif" /> Reviews“This is my best childhood and adulthood dream. I did not expect this at all.” &nbsp; &nbsp; – Nam (Design Strategist &amp; Organizer) “Yeah, this is soooo wild! I love it!” &nbsp; &nbsp; – Omar Razo (Designer at CIID) "Kay has co-created with children a virtual village where they role play adventures like sneaking out of their homes to stumble upon a music festival of singing dogs – captured here. In this prolonged time of uncertainty, fear, anxiety, and containment this canine chorus was the perfect way to stretch our imaginations for the cities, schools, and communities that we can make possible when we design together. We need joy, we need each other, we need rainbow toilet paper, and we need everyone at the table.” &nbsp; &nbsp; – Adriana Young (Rui’s Mom) "Kay you make the best platforms for people to play and share and be happy ~" &nbsp; &nbsp; – Maya Cannon (Creator of the Doggy Band) “It exploded my brain! I was able to dream!" &nbsp; &nbsp; – Maria Gerdyman (Plays Tim, Big Boss and many other Cityzens in Tiny Town) "Kay’s invitation to friends to join was so open ended and welcoming I felt like being asked to come and play. That openness and trust she gave us made so many weird and amazing things to come out of what we contributed. From music bites, library entries, images, photos, drawings and plot lines. It was super liberating for me to draw and invent for an audience of young world builders." &nbsp; &nbsp; – Ayako Maruyama (Tiny Town Asset Designer and Mentor) “A city is so big, so weird and so fun. Writing about one is even more so. There is nothing “tiny” about Tiny Town.”&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; – Joshua Chang (Tiny Town Urban Planner and Folk Historian)“I feel so excited at how these kids are going to remember this stuff in the future. They’ll always carry the memories inside them. That’s how one-of-a kind computer games survive in someone’s life!! Or at least in mine. They‘ll never forget!“&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;– Theia Flynn (Tiny Town Librarian and Consultant)“yo! I really really love what you're doing, Kay. I think it's frikkin unbelievable. And most of all, I think it's so amazing that you're harnessing all your different gifts in the way you are. World building, tiny things, and your quirky art, all of which I love, being put together in an educational format totally blows my mind. I often look at what people are doing and think to myself 'I can probably do that, or better' and my ego bottle fills up a little more. But with your project I'm just like 'wow, this is really unique and beautiful, and so different from what I can create' and it puts me in awe.”&nbsp; &nbsp; – Ian Shimizu (Mentor and Friend) “I really love the embrace of draggability. It really engages the kid part of your brain that likes to imagine rather than watch pre-prescribed animations.”&nbsp; &nbsp; – Michael Caplan (Engineer and Philosopher) Press<img width="460" height="291" width_o="460" height_o="291" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/6a0504e27bf305362d5a9f533e853f53b3a8300cf948940f24f669d9ce51d563/Screen-Shot-2022-04-20-at-4.43.12-PM.png" data-mid="140201349" border="0" data-scale="17" data-icon-mode src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/460/i/6a0504e27bf305362d5a9f533e853f53b3a8300cf948940f24f669d9ce51d563/Screen-Shot-2022-04-20-at-4.43.12-PM.png" /> Urban Technology at University of Michigan week 90:&nbsp; Roleplaying with Kay Liang and Maria GerdymanBy Bryan Boyer and Nicole Planken April 2022 @Substack “A good indicator of spatial justice is when people in a space are able to thrive and express themselves fully. Urban planning has so much negotiation with legality and zoning, but there’s none of that in Tiny Town.”Read Here <img width="1100" height="733" width_o="1100" height_o="733" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/4b50ad5e1071152b0eca266a4d20a53fde1d3eeeb8b0574c09bc3e97b7fc3f63/https-_bucketeer-e05bbc84-baa3-437e-9518-adb32be77984.s3.amazonaws.com_public_images_0f393e41-2820-4c81-b275-67ca0d88fe2f_4919x3279.jpeg" data-mid="129931590" border="0" data-scale="17" data-icon-mode src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/4b50ad5e1071152b0eca266a4d20a53fde1d3eeeb8b0574c09bc3e97b7fc3f63/https-_bucketeer-e05bbc84-baa3-437e-9518-adb32be77984.s3.amazonaws.com_public_images_0f393e41-2820-4c81-b275-67ca0d88fe2f_4919x3279.jpeg" /> Urban Technology at University of Michigan week 76By Bryan Boyer January 2022 @Substack“The goal is to get kids involved in designing and imagining their dream cities. “This project is important to us because we want to help build cities where people can belong and thrive,” said Liang and Gerdyman. “Both of us were deeply shaped by the cities we grew up in and witnessed how their rapid growth has left so many behind. The urban educators and organizers that we met along the way have inspired us to thoughtfully design experiences for people to connect with each other and the places they call home.” Read Here <img width="4000" height="3000" width_o="4000" height_o="3000" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/7b137bc9fc41850e4fbb8b4f4a4414e8f55cb3ab8b460a8cbe90026977da1d1b/1qfBV1lqW1ONKgFIgAIRnzQ.jpeg" data-mid="89984450" border="0" data-scale="17" data-icon-mode src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/7b137bc9fc41850e4fbb8b4f4a4414e8f55cb3ab8b460a8cbe90026977da1d1b/1qfBV1lqW1ONKgFIgAIRnzQ.jpeg" /> Kids vs. Zoom By Adriana Valdez Young November 2020 @Medium“Artist and educator, Kay Liang, talks about squashing “Zoom Gloom” with dog bands, friendly robbers, and disco breaks.” Read Here <img width="4000" height="2666" width_o="4000" height_o="2666" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/3bc37f5364728d17acd7fe4d621156e738154aecba95f4f5575a547b94b193a3/1lRALGKX_2xb_CkUXKWfS-A.jpeg" data-mid="89984449" border="0" data-scale="17" data-icon-mode src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/3bc37f5364728d17acd7fe4d621156e738154aecba95f4f5575a547b94b193a3/1lRALGKX_2xb_CkUXKWfS-A.jpeg" /> Designing for community during a global pandemicBy Adriana Valdez Young August 2020 @UX Magazine“We spent time with the artist Kay Liang in the wild and magical world of Tiny Town, which she created with eight kids when the pandemic first unfolded in the spring.” Read Here https://tinytown.world/Highlights Sat, 11 Jul 2020 02:20:12 +0000 Tiny Town https://tinytown.world/Highlights In the malleable world of Tiny Town, our friends from University of Orange were invited to playtest their wildest dreams for their city. Redd and DeoNeoRex enjoy sitting next to each other on the bus. At the grocery store, Lilith and Coach Rose buy some edible instruments for the potluck. The kids prove to the Heart Shark that they are pure of heart. The children of Tiny Town discuss what their robbers will steal. The children of Campfire learn about how to make a Pringles can larger through code. The children of Tiny Town dance to the disco PA announcement speaker. The children of Campfire discover who Power Ranger Leo really is. The children of Tiny Town listen to the doggy band at the Grasslands Music Festival. The children of Tiny Town check all the floors of MegaMall in search of Dea, the missing girl. https://tinytown.world/People Sat, 11 Jul 2020 02:37:41 +0000 Tiny Town https://tinytown.world/People drag us around!︎︎︎︎︎︎︎︎︎ <img width="138" height="345" width_o="138" height_o="345" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/df5e00523205bfa2c20dc2b2cb2cbbff91c42287b34d4f519cf1bb87e399c83a/tutor-clip-copy.png" data-mid="77078935" border="0" data-scale="11" data-draggable src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/138/i/df5e00523205bfa2c20dc2b2cb2cbbff91c42287b34d4f519cf1bb87e399c83a/tutor-clip-copy.png" /> Kay Liang leads this virtual roleplaying journey with her passion for storytelling and experimental art. She loves to make tiny things in reinvented spaces where magical experiences can unfold. She treats Tiny Town like an immersive theatrical manga she must publish once a week. <img width="945" height="1862" width_o="945" height_o="1862" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/ba3081e327f58d400b84df7e1ec73a3dd4bf2c03b9435a48805c0a93022507c9/stella.png" data-mid="77080933" border="0" data-scale="19" data-draggable src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/945/i/ba3081e327f58d400b84df7e1ec73a3dd4bf2c03b9435a48805c0a93022507c9/stella.png" /> Maria Gerdyman is an unruly friend and occasional sculptor who loves cutting out what the kids draw and hearing what they have to say. Tim is their favorite character to act because he never seems to know what he's doing, and the kids always have a funny way of helping him figure it out. <img width="173" height="284" width_o="173" height_o="284" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/42ff013e064e6200fef0348200b8ebbedbd8337a651f12890967432f44274cfb/celerinach4.png" data-mid="77079155" border="0" data-scale="13" data-draggable src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/173/i/42ff013e064e6200fef0348200b8ebbedbd8337a651f12890967432f44274cfb/celerinach4.png" /> Michelle Lim is a designer and writer that helped give shape to the Farm and Beach quests in Tiny Town. She’s passionate about creating experiences that bring people together in the present. <img width="899" height="1139" width_o="899" height_o="1139" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/6920343d3e36f37682f945d83285c8815e875cf72b74ddc72e095d8c7d8d03c8/joshua.png" data-mid="77080768" border="0" data-scale="21" data-draggable src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/899/i/6920343d3e36f37682f945d83285c8815e875cf72b74ddc72e095d8c7d8d03c8/joshua.png" /> Joshua Chang is a folk historian and urban planner for the city of Tiny Town. As a storyteller who dabbles in varying degrees of fiction, he has a morbid fascination of dead things that can come back to make peace with the living. <img width="205" height="371" width_o="205" height_o="371" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/95b9e49ec0f9339a9fa20326c486f29601712288dbdafda3762c0808d6ae44e8/lenny.png" data-mid="77078922" border="0" data-scale="13" data-draggable src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/205/i/95b9e49ec0f9339a9fa20326c486f29601712288dbdafda3762c0808d6ae44e8/lenny.png" /> Theia Flynn is an avid follower of Kay’s projects. She is also interested in game development and believes that play should hold a more important space in school curriculums. <img width="483" height="1047" width_o="483" height_o="1047" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/ab9603dec91b75023a01b4373bd2a4f182869c67849a37364d200049a2e0f8cd/duke4.png" data-mid="77171234" border="0" data-scale="16" data-draggable src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/483/i/ab9603dec91b75023a01b4373bd2a4f182869c67849a37364d200049a2e0f8cd/duke4.png" /> Elias Chen contributed to the all-boy’s school backstory and voiced the character Ethan, among others. He’s interested in drawing, uniforms, and resolving conflict. <img width="438" height="671" width_o="438" height_o="671" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/1b601f5d458e7322413b81bec54e3c983932e953cd710d81b6c074c5bd6aa9b4/jeffrey.png" data-mid="77171205" border="0" data-scale="22" data-draggable src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/438/i/1b601f5d458e7322413b81bec54e3c983932e953cd710d81b6c074c5bd6aa9b4/jeffrey.png" /> Jeffrey Liang&nbsp;is a baby brother and screenwriter who helped piece together the bigger overarching journey of the main protagonist, Dea. He is also an avid music producer, often delving into songwriting for his own personal pleasure. <img width="396" height="396" width_o="396" height_o="396" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/1caa668017cc0c84368f0637f4c9f4f8b3bd9e40c00a6ed7b0578da42db54463/Tiny-town-ayako-SleepyHouse.PNG" data-mid="77386271" border="0" data-scale="26" data-draggable src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/396/i/1caa668017cc0c84368f0637f4c9f4f8b3bd9e40c00a6ed7b0578da42db54463/Tiny-town-ayako-SleepyHouse.PNG" /> Ayako Maruyama designed many houses, cityzens and baked goods at the Solidaire Bakery. &nbsp; <img width="176" height="268" width_o="176" height_o="268" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/5312b1690e025aa25cf40c791cf9f0a1f1a777ca2b5d183f041ead866a2bc71a/stop-go_X-O.png" data-mid="77386321" border="0" data-scale="21" data-draggable src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/176/i/5312b1690e025aa25cf40c791cf9f0a1f1a777ca2b5d183f041ead866a2bc71a/stop-go_X-O.png" /> Liam Van Vleet invented the yes-and-no machine. <img width="2610" height="2111" width_o="2610" height_o="2111" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/1002efade97e267e65924719631f794c701cc72b30d082f69896ee08295db1f0/joe4.png" data-mid="89450239" border="0" data-scale="37" data-draggable src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/1002efade97e267e65924719631f794c701cc72b30d082f69896ee08295db1f0/joe4.png" /> Joseph Lim is a Registered Nurse and creative problem solver. He relives his childhood love of drawing and role playing through Tiny Town and Kay's many prompts. <img width="2284" height="3096" width_o="2284" height_o="3096" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/0900a7dfc1b5b6ac81fdce3a2bb3666c96c8c4d254d91d1b1fbff857525fa7f9/nobody.png" data-mid="77235692" border="0" data-scale="22" data-draggable src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/0900a7dfc1b5b6ac81fdce3a2bb3666c96c8c4d254d91d1b1fbff857525fa7f9/nobody.png" /> Alara D’Alessio plays Star, Sun, Moon, Lilac, Leaf, the Robber and Nobody the teenager who just happens to be there. <img width="289" height="382" width_o="289" height_o="382" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/77594aec17cd654a158d862386a2568022033b4208bc0b79aebf77ff8b001271/dog.png" data-mid="77136224" border="0" data-scale="15" data-draggable src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/289/i/77594aec17cd654a158d862386a2568022033b4208bc0b79aebf77ff8b001271/dog.png" /> Rui Amitai plays Jim, Ted the business dog and George who lives in the airport. <img width="1996" height="2556" width_o="1996" height_o="2556" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/315f7e651531b6b3dd4bea4ecce6fab71bec5631ba97f44ca93fcea06d1988ba/mrHappy.png" data-mid="86185755" border="0" data-scale="22" data-draggable src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/315f7e651531b6b3dd4bea4ecce6fab71bec5631ba97f44ca93fcea06d1988ba/mrHappy.png" /> Joshua Park plays Mr.Happy, a 39-year-old teacher, and Mr.Metal the robber. <img width="1874" height="2704" width_o="1874" height_o="2704" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/0747c4eff72bced3a12544f40ebe56990661e4bbd969ce474c5523ca880bf509/hriad-copy.png" data-mid="77386679" border="0" data-scale="21" data-draggable src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/0747c4eff72bced3a12544f40ebe56990661e4bbd969ce474c5523ca880bf509/hriad-copy.png" /> Volcano/Scissors plays Hriad who loves to sleep. <img width="400" height="640" width_o="400" height_o="640" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/970fb1be043bb2a82fae23fe39cf3172e3d3e4cf95445eca327b5aa5f2e5762e/emile.PNG" data-mid="89435729" border="0" data-scale="21" data-draggable src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/400/i/970fb1be043bb2a82fae23fe39cf3172e3d3e4cf95445eca327b5aa5f2e5762e/emile.PNG" /> Emile Hureau plays Emile the soccer team captain and Random his playmate. <img width="571" height="400" width_o="571" height_o="400" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/d7c9f30ed9b80704bcafc67a3d9bc7a9a6e5d19ea45c9b96fa2055af0a46ae01/emerald.PNG" data-mid="89435757" border="0" data-scale="40" data-draggable src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/571/i/d7c9f30ed9b80704bcafc67a3d9bc7a9a6e5d19ea45c9b96fa2055af0a46ae01/emerald.PNG" /> Alice Houng plays Koookie, Emerald and Blast, the only family living on an island in Valley Ville. <img width="1327" height="929" width_o="1327" height_o="929" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/cebef87d619604d64f565edf3f6c9e6f723376cc0b9d398d87495fcaa0b6f978/rainbowy.png" data-mid="77386729" border="0" data-scale="26" data-draggable src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/cebef87d619604d64f565edf3f6c9e6f723376cc0b9d398d87495fcaa0b6f978/rainbowy.png" /> Lumen Hornstein plays Girl, Anansi, Rainbowy, Aunt Yassie, Uncle Color, Flinza and Flunza. She’s also the founder of Market Rainbows. In Valleyville, she plays a log family. <img width="1332" height="3218" width_o="1332" height_o="3218" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/1dced69dec4cf5d27a6a5b348f8a86e4580decac8f8efd0366a68932f4de7cbb/charlie-clear.png" data-mid="77386782" border="0" data-scale="15" data-draggable src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/1dced69dec4cf5d27a6a5b348f8a86e4580decac8f8efd0366a68932f4de7cbb/charlie-clear.png" /> Emy Young plays Charlie who loves soccer and has a pet spider. <img width="788" height="2040" width_o="788" height_o="2040" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/63b6653099e4f9fc12b196d4383731688fe2858144efdaa1f12f64179c49a5f4/grace-clear.png" data-mid="77386786" border="0" data-scale="15" data-draggable src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/788/i/63b6653099e4f9fc12b196d4383731688fe2858144efdaa1f12f64179c49a5f4/grace-clear.png" /> Lilah O’Dair plays Grace, the beach-loving herbologist. <img width="895" height="2681" width_o="895" height_o="2681" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/b052e9b2bdad313a6c1dc726ad97d54f355f96a84bcf38064375b82e542b6562/clara-clear.png" data-mid="77386878" border="0" data-scale="12" data-draggable src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/895/i/b052e9b2bdad313a6c1dc726ad97d54f355f96a84bcf38064375b82e542b6562/clara-clear.png" /> Willa Sullivan plays Clara, the “teacher” of these “city kids”. <img width="393" height="739" width_o="393" height_o="739" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/5274822018f9b4dcd508f075533de9a407903b2c3b31ee427bf207a4623d7347/flora-clear.png" data-mid="77386916" border="0" data-scale="19" data-draggable src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/393/i/5274822018f9b4dcd508f075533de9a407903b2c3b31ee427bf207a4623d7347/flora-clear.png" /> Rayanne Bourisly plays Flora but also JJ, Shnay, Emi, Uncle Bluey, Dad Tam, Uncle Browny-Brown, Pink Fluffer, Baby Tabby, Frank, Goldy Gold, Grandpa Twickle, Auntie Raspberry, Cousin Larry, Cousin Tlick, Flooey, Click, Cousin Letter, Auntie Lightly, Mom Sam, Brother Bluey Black and Cousin Reddy Reed. <img width="355" height="398" width_o="355" height_o="398" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/5b6d8fbf51e090ff6ea37c5ebad0a96dc6a2217c2a46b8d5c7a9b3644d2c9d53/billy.png" data-mid="77386976" border="0" data-scale="24" data-draggable src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/355/i/5b6d8fbf51e090ff6ea37c5ebad0a96dc6a2217c2a46b8d5c7a9b3644d2c9d53/billy.png" /> Special Thanks to Chris Novello, Lilly Callahan, Jeffrey Warren, Aisha Jandosova, Adriana Young, Katie Edmonds, Liim, David D’Alessio, Shirley Yang, Victoria Xu, Wendy Guan, Ludwig Liang. https://tinytown.world/Projects Sat, 11 Jul 2020 02:39:12 +0000 Tiny Town https://tinytown.world/Projects <img width="243" height="512" width_o="243" height_o="512" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/fca0c3db521a03afaa6e14da9d5eca3b7197773cdfdc0fd0eaee721a76010ac8/unnamed.gif" data-mid="236605310" border="0" data-scale="49" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/243/i/fca0c3db521a03afaa6e14da9d5eca3b7197773cdfdc0fd0eaee721a76010ac8/unnamed.gif" /><img width="243" height="512" width_o="243" height_o="512" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/a2f6a43f151fb52120529b61c5146d4f9124b7d16e4f561b131864a355affb6c/unnamed-1.gif" data-mid="236605311" border="0" data-scale="49" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/243/i/a2f6a43f151fb52120529b61c5146d4f9124b7d16e4f561b131864a355affb6c/unnamed-1.gif" /> Virtual Design Gym with DS4SIA prototyped and conceptualized civic design website for BIPOC designers and activists with gym-inspired rooms as metaphors for each page. Designed and prototyped by Kay Liang with direction from Melissa Teng and consultation from Maria Gerdyman and Tiger Dingsun. Apr - Aug 2024 <img width="1698" height="1308" width_o="1698" height_o="1308" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/d342d4fdb339c9e1700fefb1869d84e872b6a3f74983ae3376ef8a9f85026be7/Screenshot-2023-12-25-at-7.54.59-PM.png" data-mid="200083950" border="0" data-scale="81" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/d342d4fdb339c9e1700fefb1869d84e872b6a3f74983ae3376ef8a9f85026be7/Screenshot-2023-12-25-at-7.54.59-PM.png" /> The Ways of Being Ways of Learning BookA 20-day curriculum in the form of a 60-page workbook intended for students to reflect and express their ways of being and learning. Presented and distributed at the Ontario Council for Exceptional Children (CEC) 67th Annual Special Education Conference and the 2024 Learning Disabilities Association of Ontario (LDA0) Conference. Designed and Illustrated by Kay Liang with consultation from Katie Healy and Laurie Faith. Nov 2023 <img width="2832" height="1466" width_o="2832" height_o="1466" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/e282fb161542d349bcfd832540814ac41bcc1ae11c77461911707de37ce9cc9c/Screenshot-2023-12-25-at-7.54.08-PM.png" data-mid="200083944" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/e282fb161542d349bcfd832540814ac41bcc1ae11c77461911707de37ce9cc9c/Screenshot-2023-12-25-at-7.54.08-PM.png" /> Public Square with School of Visual Arts (SVA) A 4-hour workshop for 21 second-year MFA Interaction Design students starting their thesis projects to get a visceral taste of the power of community building, storytelling, authenticity, and interaction. Invited by Elissa Ecker and Adriana Young. Sep 2023 <img width="600" height="404" width_o="600" height_o="404" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/33ea00e35817a5dfd23c65497addbedcb5da9e43ac6028609afaa48f3de3a480/ezgif-3-73de48215c.gif" data-mid="140202525" border="0" data-scale="83" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/600/i/33ea00e35817a5dfd23c65497addbedcb5da9e43ac6028609afaa48f3de3a480/ezgif-3-73de48215c.gif" /> Cicicity with University of OrangeCici discovers something strange about her city and begins to collect evidence to prove her case. Paul Pudding just wants to be fed and doesn’t want all the responsibility that comes with being the cat mayor. We started this project to support University of Orange’s hardworking activists, organizers, and caretakers, providing them a space to rest, play (as a form of resistance!) and manifest their visions unencumbered.We have come to see Tiny Town as a place for healing where adults and kids can express and acknowledge all parts of themselves, try out new ideas, identities, arrangements, and rehearse ways to take care of themselves and others. Supported by University of Michigan’s Urban Technology Prototype Grant. Jan – Apr 2022 <img width="1185" height="692" width_o="1185" height_o="692" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/c21e3902e8c0db46aa59ef393ae86af0fd0f14424510b447bd8b9212ddc24e56/Screen-Shot-2022-05-03-at-11.42.31-AM.png" data-mid="141538781" border="0" data-scale="89" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/c21e3902e8c0db46aa59ef393ae86af0fd0f14424510b447bd8b9212ddc24e56/Screen-Shot-2022-05-03-at-11.42.31-AM.png" /> Ancestor Library in CicicityA library filled with old stories that are curated and wheelbarrowed around by Roro the old lady. When her knees begin to hurt on a humid day, she asks friendly strangers to help her deliver the books to the new old spa all the way across the city.Featuring books by Benjamin Han, Brad Gilbert, Christopher Chen, Joseph Lim, Joshua Chang, Kaius Wu, Karen Guan, Kay Liang, Maya Cannon, Michelle Lim, Taylor Pannell, Taylor Pannell, Liby Hays, Julie Benbassat, Mayo Saji, Maya Bjornson, Aliasger Rasheed, Kevin Dong, Angela Yu, Holly Barszcz, Margaux Simmons, Ayako Maruyama, Aubrey Murdock, Doug Farrand, Maria Gerdyman, Cathy Hsiao, Ada Chen, Ava Zeichner, Daniel Pollack, Tiffany Ling, Hannah Liongren. Apr 2022 <img width="2864" height="1544" width_o="2864" height_o="1544" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/6edd529d1bd80e2097a860ffdd74108190d305f07ce01c5971d2d75acde29a50/255460609_1348275482282264_8423571001327946565_n.png" data-mid="125275715" border="0" data-scale="91" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/6edd529d1bd80e2097a860ffdd74108190d305f07ce01c5971d2d75acde29a50/255460609_1348275482282264_8423571001327946565_n.png" /> Hearth with&nbsp;GakkoA digital gathering for summer camp alumni to reconnect and reflect on the theme of collective memory. A writing workshop (based on Lynda Barry's Writing the Unthinkable) followed by an audio-only interactive adventure to&nbsp;a mouse’s magical burrow of immaterial gifts.&nbsp;Directed by Lilly Callahan. Written/Facilitated by Maria Gerdyman and Kay Liang. Apr 2021 <img width="1764" height="1450" width_o="1764" height_o="1450" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/a2f966b2dcd43dce21c556adef498048c6f1667650b99499c216215a656af3b9/Screen-Shot-2021-11-21-at-1.01.16-PM.png" data-mid="125275201" border="0" data-scale="66" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/a2f966b2dcd43dce21c556adef498048c6f1667650b99499c216215a656af3b9/Screen-Shot-2021-11-21-at-1.01.16-PM.png" /> Storyplaying ClubA roleplaying improv club for adults to explore sticky topics like Romance and Friendship from personal experience. Participants roleplay as their own avatars, improvise their scenes in La Ronde and begin each scene with an accusation. Sep 2021 <img width="2880" height="1800" width_o="2880" height_o="1800" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/100d43b3092e7f6c08641b4402a4e0da8308d8b2a15827fd2d7dfed63f707ef8/Screen-Shot-2021-01-23-at-12.38.51-PM.png" data-mid="96889820" border="0" data-scale="70" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/100d43b3092e7f6c08641b4402a4e0da8308d8b2a15827fd2d7dfed63f707ef8/Screen-Shot-2021-01-23-at-12.38.51-PM.png" /> Adventure Board with Design Studio for Social Intervention (DS4SI) for North Carolina Association of Educators (NCAE)The Adventure Board is a fun and powerful way for educators to connect, build and imagine new ways to embed ideas of justice, equality, and collective learning into our work. Facilitated by Lori Lobenstine, Ayoka Turner and Nicole Flynt. Coded by Kay Liang. Illustrated by Maria Gerdyman. Jul 2020 - Jan 2021 <img width="2880" height="1508" width_o="2880" height_o="1508" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/13b64528ae19ab40feb0b42e4e9b388bbc3656f40aebbbda9b02e8b731b67597/Screen-Shot-2021-01-28-at-2.59.23-PM.png" data-mid="96877744" border="0" data-scale="70" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/13b64528ae19ab40feb0b42e4e9b388bbc3656f40aebbbda9b02e8b731b67597/Screen-Shot-2021-01-28-at-2.59.23-PM.png" /> Lumen’s Birthday, Big Trouble in Campfire Welcome…to the faraway land of Campfire…but all is not well in Campfire. The forest creatures have been feeling uneasy. Nobody is sure what is coming, but everyone agrees that TROUBLE is afoot. Campfire needs your help! It’s up to you to figure out what’s going on and to set it right. Look for the animal sages and seek their advice!Written/Directed/Narrated by Alex Hornstein.Invitations/Cake/Hosted by Hannah LiongorenCoded/Facilitated/Map Illustration by Kay Liang. Assets Managed/Facilitated by Maria Gerdyman.Featuring voice actors: Amy/Don, Marcus, Muffin, Anastasia, Aya, Bilal, Lolo Carl, Eli, Apol. Jan 2021 <img width="2872" height="1347" width_o="2872" height_o="1347" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/73e72148f05dfe1411cc673ecb55a8975e9445404ce755a54e4509f0a9333556/Screen-Shot-2021-01-28-at-2.58.41-PM.png" data-mid="96878334" border="0" data-scale="70" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/73e72148f05dfe1411cc673ecb55a8975e9445404ce755a54e4509f0a9333556/Screen-Shot-2021-01-28-at-2.58.41-PM.png" /> Isla’s Birthday at Starlight WishesLuna’s friends take her to the forest clearing where they have set up a surprise party, only to be sabotaged by the Choko Cheer Squad with their annoying music. Luna’s friends must use their swift powers to stop them.Written/Directed by Isla. Planned by Adria Marchetti. Narrated/Facilitated by Kay Liang and Maria Gerdyman. Jan 2021 <img width="1878" height="992" width_o="1878" height_o="992" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/7ce5a30e57604b2d3c428cbdb749ad674f2a7813829725547649497107bc66bc/Screen-Shot-2021-01-28-at-3.35.13-PM.png" data-mid="96879487" border="0" data-scale="70" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/7ce5a30e57604b2d3c428cbdb749ad674f2a7813829725547649497107bc66bc/Screen-Shot-2021-01-28-at-3.35.13-PM.png" /> Rui’s Birthday at the Robber’s LoungeThe robbers of Tiny Town steal all of Rui’s favorite zones, characters and friends in order to surprise him on his birthday! Tiny Towners are sent on a quest to find the needed ingredients for the missing birthday cake: a unicorn napkin, a glow-in-the-dark parachute guy, and a frog. Planned by Adriana Young. Written/Facilitated by Kay Liang and Maria Gerdyman. Dec 2020 <img width="1444" height="1242" width_o="1444" height_o="1242" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/a18f70bd3a221a10a37d6f66e25ec00d14e4a30c413e9241898c5d90ff5de232/Screen-Shot-2020-11-19-at-4.24.45-PM.png" data-mid="89448561" border="0" data-scale="70" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/a18f70bd3a221a10a37d6f66e25ec00d14e4a30c413e9241898c5d90ff5de232/Screen-Shot-2020-11-19-at-4.24.45-PM.png" /> Farmer’s Market in Valley VilleA market filled with angsty peaches, competitive green onions, perky oranges and tired loafs of bread. Featuring market items by (coming soon) Nov 2020 <img width="2292" height="1268" width_o="2292" height_o="1268" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/144b093067f52426a5d885b14cbf0cd70aca63806abf321a4516cce4427e0c33/Screen-Shot-2020-11-19-at-3.36.40-PM.png" data-mid="89441298" border="0" data-scale="70" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/144b093067f52426a5d885b14cbf0cd70aca63806abf321a4516cce4427e0c33/Screen-Shot-2020-11-19-at-3.36.40-PM.png" /> Valley Ville&nbsp;(Tiny Town Season 3)The children of Tiny Town land indefinitely in Valley Ville, a neighboring town. They encounter strange villagers who teach them a new way of being together. Nov 2020 - Feb 2021 <img width="2880" height="1800" width_o="2880" height_o="1800" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/f207aa7817fc44a5e15a93e94461c4834d45a2a886503f777e232d577e5002c4/2020-10-16-sva2.png" data-mid="96877136" border="0" data-scale="70" data-no-zoom src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/f207aa7817fc44a5e15a93e94461c4834d45a2a886503f777e232d577e5002c4/2020-10-16-sva2.png" /> Tour of Tiny Town at SVAA virtual tour of Tiny Town for SVA students who are researching “learning pods” and micro schools that have emerged in response to the pandemic. Invited/Facilitated by Adriana Young.Guided by Kay Liang. <img width="2880" height="1544" width_o="2880" height_o="1544" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/1c13c545aad14242ec539c73afec8b408a0b5a807178fffe3927418f160db837/2020-10-15-parsons3.png" data-mid="96876318" border="0" data-scale="70" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/1c13c545aad14242ec539c73afec8b408a0b5a807178fffe3927418f160db837/2020-10-15-parsons3.png" /> Tour of Tiny Town at ParsonsA virtual tour of Tiny Town for 16 Parsons students who are a mix of architects, fashion designers, strategists, and graphic designers. The class is about research methods. Invited/Facilitated by Adriana Young. Guided by Kay Liang. <img width="2038" height="1144" width_o="2038" height_o="1144" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/b8388ce860d5b3b51cbb42eedbbd3de061d126e14676eaffb18f8ca5a1dff0a6/Screen-Shot-2020-11-16-at-2.56.58-PM.png" data-mid="89448971" border="0" data-scale="70" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/b8388ce860d5b3b51cbb42eedbbd3de061d126e14676eaffb18f8ca5a1dff0a6/Screen-Shot-2020-11-16-at-2.56.58-PM.png" /> Campfire with Kay at Hudson Lab SchoolA rainbow llama, fly, hershey bar meet at a campfire and decide to go on an adventure to find the tooth fairy’s missing tooth. Nov 2020 <img width="640" height="598" width_o="640" height_o="598" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/745394309eff2878280fde48ee66f1f5de379f173c58928d5bdb97ab4fb2add8/campfire-gif.gif" data-mid="89441007" border="0" data-scale="70" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/640/i/745394309eff2878280fde48ee66f1f5de379f173c58928d5bdb97ab4fb2add8/campfire-gif.gif" /> Campfire with Kay and Maria at Social Emergency Response Center (SERC)In the middle of the forest, there is a flame (or fire, as some may say), waiting to swallow unwanted things. A roleplaying and drawing workshop about letting go. Oct 2020 <img width="2094" height="1462" width_o="2094" height_o="1462" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/51fe495afea43fc6ad09f3ca0a561b248f8d4460bbb96e00caae6c5b2350b42e/Screen-Shot-2020-10-06-at-10.25.22-AM.png" data-mid="84894547" border="0" data-scale="70" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/51fe495afea43fc6ad09f3ca0a561b248f8d4460bbb96e00caae6c5b2350b42e/Screen-Shot-2020-10-06-at-10.25.22-AM.png" /> Tiny Town Season 2The children of Tiny Town play infamous robbers who meet in hideouts, steal everything in sight and unload their bounty in various burrows. They land an interview at the Tiny Town TV studio, where they reveal their favorite colors and why they steal. Sep - Dec 2020 <img width="2880" height="1800" width_o="2880" height_o="1800" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/6fbd7fcb43e595ee6b909b7b8e11ffa2d75ea1ffa4d12cfb65a00c3dcee7d962/Screen-Shot-2020-10-07-at-10.48.23-AM.png" data-mid="84939213" border="0" data-scale="70" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/6fbd7fcb43e595ee6b909b7b8e11ffa2d75ea1ffa4d12cfb65a00c3dcee7d962/Screen-Shot-2020-10-07-at-10.48.23-AM.png" /> Our Shared Street with Arlington Transportation Partners (ATP)Shayna takes Leo on a public transportation adventure in Shared City with the help of family and friends. A workshop / interactive TV show for families interested in Arlington Transportation. Our Shared Street is an Arlington Transportation Partners (ATP) initiative that empowers communities, removes barriers to public transportation, and encourages care and respect towards all modes on the road. Invited by Chloe Varelidi. Co-facilitated by Kay Liang and Elaine Khuu. Sep - Oct 2020 <img width="2725" height="1444" width_o="2725" height_o="1444" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/da892452f8e845c10aa2570e512ba750e300456b99dfb3fb8cf951103ae61fed/ciid.jpg" data-mid="78560351" border="0" data-scale="70" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/da892452f8e845c10aa2570e512ba750e300456b99dfb3fb8cf951103ae61fed/ciid.jpg" /> Tour of Tiny Town at Copenhagen Institute of Interaction Design (CIID) in Costa RicaA virtual tour of Tiny Town for 27 CIID students who are studying design for better urban living. Invited/Facilitated by Adriana Young. Guided by Kay Liang. <img width="1354" height="1186" width_o="1354" height_o="1186" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/9769f1c9bf21c64f886ddbb5eb7e03667fa1e466f78734940eda904f2e723789/Screen-Shot-2020-07-27-at-9.21.58-AM.png" data-mid="78560414" border="0" data-scale="70" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/9769f1c9bf21c64f886ddbb5eb7e03667fa1e466f78734940eda904f2e723789/Screen-Shot-2020-07-27-at-9.21.58-AM.png" /> Campfire with Kay at PonoEvery morning for 20-minutes, children gather around a small campfire for silly stories from a fly and an unpredictable turn of events. They are invited to add anything they wish to the campfire, from fruit monsters to booger. Aug - Sep 2020 <img width="1500" height="1193" width_o="1500" height_o="1193" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/96f8502c9aafd5e532a325e3e55360b9667cabb4afadf23912be3feb3f5296ca/background.jpg" data-mid="77472812" border="0" data-scale="70" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/96f8502c9aafd5e532a325e3e55360b9667cabb4afadf23912be3feb3f5296ca/background.jpg" /> Adventure Board with Design Studio for Social Intervention (DS4SI)&nbsp;NEA Center for Social Justice Summer Justice Series New arrangements in our schools can re-ignite justice and energize collaborative learning for our students and educators. This session features an imagined arrangement we’re calling “The Adventure Board.” Designed by Maria Gerdyman. Coded by Kay Liang. <img width="1762" height="1436" width_o="1762" height_o="1436" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/1a9d4795162316bd77cbfb745d9263b0d39f93e343c1c4a9829bbd8b1598f585/Screen-Shot-2020-07-15-at-12.57.10-PM.png" data-mid="77472893" border="0" data-scale="70" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/1a9d4795162316bd77cbfb745d9263b0d39f93e343c1c4a9829bbd8b1598f585/Screen-Shot-2020-07-15-at-12.57.10-PM.png" /> Social Emergency Response Center (SERC) with Design Studio for Social Intervention (DS4SI) In 2017, DS4SI created Social Emergency Response Centers (SERCs) to help people understand the moment we’re in, from all different perspectives. Co-created with activists, artists and community members, SERCs are temporary, pop-up spaces that help us move from rage and despair into collective, radical action. Designed by Ayako Maruyama.Coded by Kay Liang. Jun 2020 <img width="1920" height="1080" width_o="1920" height_o="1080" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/9206a9ae7336629b391a0058359202afbea192bab7d352dfb4cafe0889e599e2/4.jpg" data-mid="77472941" border="0" data-scale="70" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/9206a9ae7336629b391a0058359202afbea192bab7d352dfb4cafe0889e599e2/4.jpg" /> Grasslands Music Festival in Tiny TownThe annual Grasslands Music Festival is held every year in Spring. The best musicians from Capital City and beyond are invited to perform atop a field of freshly mown fake muted green grass for an audience of adolescents and adults in denial. Musicians that are anticipated this year include the Hm-bird, Dayson Jerulo and of course the Sir Dukes boys’ choir. In order to get tickets to the music festival, you must enter your name in a lottery station outside the Ludwig Stadium. Winners are emailed the weekend before the festival weekend, and then it becomes a rush to barter and sell and trade and steal and hack confirmation numbers so that you can get a spot. Featuring musicians/bands by Chris Chen, Diego Rodriguez Langevin, Kevin Dong, Dorothy and Bella Carlos, Jeffrey Liang, Jeremy Joachim, Joshua Chang, Julie Benbassat, Kaius Wu, Karen Guan, Kay Liang, Kevin Lee, Lisa Su, Justin Seow, Maya Cannon, Levi Cannon, Michelle Lim, Nabil Burias, Will Samosir, Sasha Lee, Taylor Pannell, Theia Flynn, Valerie Zhu, Vienna Boys Choir, Doug Farrand. May 2020 <img width="1706" height="1540" width_o="1706" height_o="1540" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/5802b0ea3ff61d0fc650cdbd535e87776ead09d2e0c1030270bb4e384d4fa683/Screen-Shot-2020-07-15-at-12.59.13-PM.png" data-mid="77472956" border="0" data-scale="70" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/5802b0ea3ff61d0fc650cdbd535e87776ead09d2e0c1030270bb4e384d4fa683/Screen-Shot-2020-07-15-at-12.59.13-PM.png" /> Lenny’s Library in Tiny TownThe library was a beloved afterschool location for the children of Tiny Town. Each library card holder could borrow one book and had one month to return it. After the school closed prior to Tiny Town Season 1, the children no longer had a reason to go outside and so the library closed shortly afterwards as well. Books that were borrowed were never returned. In Episode 3, the children go on a quest to retrieve these missing books for Lenny the librarian. Featuring books by Adriana Young and Rui Amitai, Ayako Maruyama, Ben Han, Brad Gilbert, Brigitte Breaux, Joshua Chang, Julie Benbassat, Kaius Wu, Liby Hays, Kay Liang, Theia Flynn, Malery Nguyen, Maria Gerdyman, Maya Cannon, Michelle Lim, Steve Goldstein, Taylor Pannell, Yuko Torihara. Apr 2020 <img width="1920" height="1080" width_o="1920" height_o="1080" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/74a3e20dccfc87eb7b523afc08a1dcb1f702531e574175945276c6b0c41d172e/1.jpg" data-mid="77472918" border="0" data-scale="70" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/74a3e20dccfc87eb7b523afc08a1dcb1f702531e574175945276c6b0c41d172e/1.jpg" /> Tiny Town Season 1The children of Tiny Town leave their homes for the first time to discover each other and a world beyond. Together, they make objects that help them play, communicate, love and search for what they have been missing. Apr - May 2020 <img width="988" height="930" width_o="988" height_o="930" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/f0b7bbb8ff54f99d43f9e9c3ac6ddac2c4aae93b40e86e7e39537807309800bb/Screen-Shot-2020-11-19-at-3.09.20-PM.png" data-mid="89438179" border="0" data-scale="70" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/988/i/f0b7bbb8ff54f99d43f9e9c3ac6ddac2c4aae93b40e86e7e39537807309800bb/Screen-Shot-2020-11-19-at-3.09.20-PM.png" /> Hidden Gems at PonoHidden Gems is an afterschool program set in a fictional world called Gemland where children enter every week as apprentices of the knowledgable but magic-less sage, Samantha Stone. Oct 2019 - Jan 2020 https://tinytown.world/Cicicity-with-UofO Fri, 22 Jul 2022 15:37:43 +0000 Tiny Town https://tinytown.world/Cicicity-with-UofO <img width="141" height="274" width_o="141" height_o="274" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/7f6af5b654f0bd0d2ce866cf496703d8f5f6dd14fd4c6cc48941cda18a7a66ae/bird7.png" data-mid="148530337" border="0" data-scale="10" data-icon-mode src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/141/i/7f6af5b654f0bd0d2ce866cf496703d8f5f6dd14fd4c6cc48941cda18a7a66ae/bird7.png" /><img width="145" height="227" width_o="145" height_o="227" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/fa38225ccd782205200bbda7e1e7279923a43fbc04ab8c6716e26fda9cb946a7/bird2.png" data-mid="148530339" border="0" data-scale="10" data-icon-mode src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/145/i/fa38225ccd782205200bbda7e1e7279923a43fbc04ab8c6716e26fda9cb946a7/bird2.png" /><img width="161" height="274" width_o="161" height_o="274" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/0d1f3102752d123766e963caf9b915de66cba022fcf252a9b2b2652b29ad2f12/bird8.png" data-mid="148530338" border="0" data-scale="9" data-icon-mode src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/161/i/0d1f3102752d123766e963caf9b915de66cba022fcf252a9b2b2652b29ad2f12/bird8.png" /> Cicicity with University of OrangeCity organizers, activists and caretakers need an alternative space from slow-moving bureaucratic town halls and heavy anti-gentrification work to reimagine and remember their cities. We created a 10-week online program for urbanists from University of Orange. Every week, we would enter a browser-based world and playtest their visions for the city of Orange, New Jersey. Using our worldbuilding prompts and roleplaying facilitation tools, we invited our participants to express and interact with their vulnerable feelings about their hometown as their own characters. We encouraged collective decision making and creative problem solving through our digital pretend play. <img width="600" height="404" width_o="600" height_o="404" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/1889fb5ff5fdda702c583e0ca9ef61abe39200a4d62ff071110bc35d72500266/ezgif-3-ad39568b64.gif" data-mid="148530574" border="0" data-scale="72" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/600/i/1889fb5ff5fdda702c583e0ca9ef61abe39200a4d62ff071110bc35d72500266/ezgif-3-ad39568b64.gif" /> <img width="600" height="404" width_o="600" height_o="404" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/33bc933881a0ed76864040e057d4087306e74f253debe7b799f7a664d6b0268c/ezgif-3-73de48215c.gif" data-mid="148530556" border="0" data-scale="72" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/600/i/33bc933881a0ed76864040e057d4087306e74f253debe7b799f7a664d6b0268c/ezgif-3-73de48215c.gif" /> In the pilot episode, our participants acted as their original characters as they roleplayed conversations around the theme of “belonging”. In ensuing episodes, they explored the town and added services, facilities, and resources that demonstrated their ideas of how they wanted the town to grow. One of our participants said that he and several other participants had particularly despair filled winters. In the midst of this despair, Cicicity was the most important thing he did. He was initially resistant to playing pretend and indulging in whimsy, but he realized it actually felt great, and it became the one hour in the week he could lift his head and leave feeling a lot better. &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;<img width="805" height="627" width_o="805" height_o="627" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/cbb862d93fb2e29d1c31125ccde19f08caebd1db477b6963867ec5496e547883/deoneorex2.png" data-mid="148531287" border="0" data-scale="62" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/805/i/cbb862d93fb2e29d1c31125ccde19f08caebd1db477b6963867ec5496e547883/deoneorex2.png" />&nbsp;<img width="389" height="485" width_o="389" height_o="485" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/3ff3ffbc8166978c9d557c56026f1bbc747eaad7acd2b57a207fb17e5ade519c/la-roca2.png" data-mid="148534073" border="0" data-scale="35" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/389/i/3ff3ffbc8166978c9d557c56026f1bbc747eaad7acd2b57a207fb17e5ade519c/la-roca2.png" />&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; Our friends from University of Orange were invited to playtest their wildest dreams for their city. At the grocery store, Lilith and Coach Rose buy some edible instruments for the potluck Redd and DeoNeoRex enjoy sitting next to each other on the bus. <img width="800" height="450" width_o="800" height_o="450" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/b16a09c60d2436c51f6695e71fc5f73a360f7e2b939da99ec4cbf614153d7c34/kay-maria-dance.gif" data-mid="148530594" border="0" data-scale="72" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/800/i/b16a09c60d2436c51f6695e71fc5f73a360f7e2b939da99ec4cbf614153d7c34/kay-maria-dance.gif" /> We have come to see Tiny Town as a place for healing, where adults and kids can express and acknowledge all parts of themselves, try out new ideas, identities, arrangements, and rehearse ways to take care of themselves and others. We plan to partner with University of Orange again to deliver programming that specifically focuses on character creation and worldbuilding. This project was supported by University of Michigan’s Urban Technology Prototype Grant https://tinytown.world/Join Tue, 07 Jul 2020 15:47:10 +0000 Tiny Town https://tinytown.world/Join <img width="500" height="237" width_o="500" height_o="237" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/7866535a4086f3d8bc2c7bc2be0f807173478aac46cfc3cdf4273ba77f66cb4f/park-exhibit.png" data-mid="83976465" border="0" data-scale="10" data-icon-mode src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/500/i/7866535a4086f3d8bc2c7bc2be0f807173478aac46cfc3cdf4273ba77f66cb4f/park-exhibit.png" /> Tiny Town $350 / 9 sessions (scholarships available) Ages 6-12 Once a week 1 hour per session Up to 4 kids per cohort Complex game mechanics Planned narrative elements Join <img width="352" height="409" width_o="352" height_o="409" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/a02f420a74d1bc7a89bb460a36aa02e60f0cb3c6f1e948f40fc6b0fdeb07304e/flame.gif" data-mid="83976476" border="0" data-scale="10" data-icon-mode src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/352/i/a02f420a74d1bc7a89bb460a36aa02e60f0cb3c6f1e948f40fc6b0fdeb07304e/flame.gif" /> Campfire$15 / session (different packages available) Ages 6-12 Once a week30 minutes per session Up to 8 kids per cohort Simple game mechanics Improvised narrative elements Join <img width="300" height="280" width_o="300" height_o="280" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/1a086104c5fbea53cfb56383acd8bdfd8d7c0daecbee3bf807dc5bfa3a8e8174/sun.png" data-mid="84656240" border="0" data-scale="10" data-icon-mode src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/300/i/1a086104c5fbea53cfb56383acd8bdfd8d7c0daecbee3bf807dc5bfa3a8e8174/sun.png" /> PlaydateFree / 1 session (donations accepted) All Ages Any day of the week30 minutes per session Up to 4 participants per session Invite a friend or two to join you or your child on a playdate and tour of Tiny Town or Campfire. Join <img width="713" height="378" width_o="713" height_o="378" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/a30c51ff5f76d6bb5044217ded6263fc74db6e74d36a675befd8ff4b3df182e0/bus.png" data-mid="84656880" border="0" data-scale="10" data-icon-mode src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/713/i/a30c51ff5f76d6bb5044217ded6263fc74db6e74d36a675befd8ff4b3df182e0/bus.png" /> PartyGet a Quote / 1 session (based on type, size and length of party) All AgesAny day of the weekAny duration per sessionUnlimited participants per session Plan a Tiny Town party and tour for your child, students, club, team, family, friends, grandparents etc. Send a request If you’re not sure what option would work best for you or your child, we can walk you through! Schedule a Call &nbsp; https://tinytown.world/Join-Tiny-Town Wed, 03 Mar 2021 15:20:13 +0000 Tiny Town https://tinytown.world/Join-Tiny-Town <img width="706" height="1431" width_o="706" height_o="1431" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/148f10dc3953a75985b1cc554abd891506c846481f05d429faaca4e0621928d2/flower.gif" data-mid="100762282" border="0" data-scale="11" data-icon-mode src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/706/i/148f10dc3953a75985b1cc554abd891506c846481f05d429faaca4e0621928d2/flower.gif" /> Tiny TownTiny Town is an extracurricular browser-based roleplaying journey, screenshared on Zoom. Children play characters they have designed in a world that they have collectively built with their drawings, sculptures and found things. 1 hour per session 1 session every week 2-4 participants per session $270 per season (7 sessions) Want your child to try a session with us before committing?Schedule a free playdate (flexible times) DescriptionTiny Town is an extracurricular program that meets once a week on a weekday afternoon. Together we’ll explore and build an expansive world on a browser page as our own characters. We’ll discover new zones full of hidden surprises, meet new characters with oddly specific requests and honor each other’s creations.We want to create a new kind of digital space for children to be with each other, where they can explore and build a world together, where their hearts and imaginations can feel excited, curious, powerful, and vulnerable. Facilitators<img width="260" height="251" width_o="260" height_o="251" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/c65ef1aad9a3ed75c4fd0dca0f305efb04995d9e103d3fd9b5c32f32f7e5c408/kay.png" data-mid="100762075" border="0" data-scale="5" data-icon-mode src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/260/i/c65ef1aad9a3ed75c4fd0dca0f305efb04995d9e103d3fd9b5c32f32f7e5c408/kay.png" />Kay Liang leads this virtual roleplaying journey with her passion for storytelling and experimental art. She loves to make tiny things in reinvented spaces where magical experiences can unfold. Kay studied Printmaking and Computation, Technology and Culture at Rhode Island School of Design. She is currently pursuing a Master of Arts in Child Study and Education at University of Toronto. <img width="364" height="589" width_o="364" height_o="589" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/beea1a390ac0833c985e8a99de6597ad72466337847a374b3172ea9dab1815e8/maria.png" data-mid="100762077" border="0" data-scale="6" data-icon-mode src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/364/i/beea1a390ac0833c985e8a99de6597ad72466337847a374b3172ea9dab1815e8/maria.png" />&nbsp;Maria Gerdyman is an unruly friend and occasional sculptor who loves cutting out what the kids draw and hearing what they have to say. Tim is their favorite character to act because he never seems to know what he's doing, and the kids always have a funny way of helping him figure it out. Maria studied Industrial Design at Rhode Island School of Design. They are currently the Design Gym Experiential Prototyper at the Design Studio for Social Intervention (DS4SI). Past Participants<img width="312" height="346" width_o="312" height_o="346" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/ed472104adde5946921713f712900716a2de69984c04ad00833f5bf90f04fa75/rui.png" data-mid="100762083" border="0" data-scale="4" data-icon-mode src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/312/i/ed472104adde5946921713f712900716a2de69984c04ad00833f5bf90f04fa75/rui.png" /><img width="474" height="481" width_o="474" height_o="481" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/6f4127c94b650b4c889c965a17de99109b80cadf9e6fe126489685734063b976/alice.png" data-mid="100766032" border="0" data-scale="3" data-icon-mode src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/474/i/6f4127c94b650b4c889c965a17de99109b80cadf9e6fe126489685734063b976/alice.png" /><img width="183" height="204" width_o="183" height_o="204" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/e559fac458244fc2f12d3250b5d2060902dad5d74eeaf74f33342d56dd2dd142/joshua.png" data-mid="100766035" border="0" data-scale="4" data-icon-mode src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/183/i/e559fac458244fc2f12d3250b5d2060902dad5d74eeaf74f33342d56dd2dd142/joshua.png" /><img width="161" height="186" width_o="161" height_o="186" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/290944e44647b1b52e643123930d29ead3165793c20dbeace6e24b9e0442b005/teddy.png" data-mid="100766038" border="0" data-scale="4" data-icon-mode src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/161/i/290944e44647b1b52e643123930d29ead3165793c20dbeace6e24b9e0442b005/teddy.png" /><img width="259" height="309" width_o="259" height_o="309" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/83c8c3f9121e68e160fe0acf4bd450f3fe02b185b185c60e2771dddb8809cd5c/harrison.png" data-mid="100766034" border="0" data-scale="4" data-icon-mode src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/259/i/83c8c3f9121e68e160fe0acf4bd450f3fe02b185b185c60e2771dddb8809cd5c/harrison.png" /><img width="241" height="270" width_o="241" height_o="270" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/af4b14a9f42e1588bc957c33e019fedd33d4022bf8c280c936913b13dc90c5e0/emile.png" data-mid="100766033" border="0" data-scale="5" data-icon-mode src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/241/i/af4b14a9f42e1588bc957c33e019fedd33d4022bf8c280c936913b13dc90c5e0/emile.png" /><img width="415" height="438" width_o="415" height_o="438" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/d04da2272e62095c856572bf4e31ad4ad838203deb0a6fa9841a4e58bc7cfa46/omari.png" data-mid="100766037" border="0" data-scale="4" data-icon-mode src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/415/i/d04da2272e62095c856572bf4e31ad4ad838203deb0a6fa9841a4e58bc7cfa46/omari.png" /><img width="296" height="336" width_o="296" height_o="336" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/46915a961dbb4a95042ac72f50f5daa278a3a796455bf7810c59752724b7ce5c/lumen.png" data-mid="100766036" border="0" data-scale="4" data-icon-mode src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/296/i/46915a961dbb4a95042ac72f50f5daa278a3a796455bf7810c59752724b7ce5c/lumen.png" /><img width="554" height="311" width_o="554" height_o="311" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/187516fe54bcfd6057f0da2a4ac829e9820c6a3e11a193ba09cee5b0570a68a3/aristotle.png" data-mid="100762080" border="0" data-scale="3" data-icon-mode src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/554/i/187516fe54bcfd6057f0da2a4ac829e9820c6a3e11a193ba09cee5b0570a68a3/aristotle.png" /> Dates/Times DatesActivityJun 3PilotJun 10Ep 1Jun 17 Ep 2Jun 24 Ep 3Jul 1 Ep 4Jul 8 Ep 5Jul 15 Debrief June 3rd to July 15th, 2024 Mondays, 4:30–5:30pm ET Sign UpIf you find the cost to be too costly, we have limited discounted at half price spots available. If you wish to apply for financial support, email us here and describe your specific circumstances. FAQWhat will my child need for Tiny Town? Tiny Town is run on Zoom.us. You will need to install the Zoom Desktop App.Required Materials: Pencil, Paper, Phone/CameraOptional/Recommended Materials: clay, pipe cleaners, scrap fabric, popcicle sticks, colorful tape, cardboard, stuffed animals, food etc. What skills can my child develop in Tiny Town?Roleplaying, Collective Worldbuilding, Game Asset Making, Improvising, Turn-taking, Self-Expression. What are some of the activities in Tiny Town?Designing our own characters, homes, markets, objects, outfits etc. through drawings, sculptures and found objects.Exploring and creating new zones like the library, the farm, the music festival and Megamall.Inventing new ways to play, travel and communicate inside Tiny Town.Connecting with fellow players and going on quests together. Looking for a shorter, morefrequent and affordable program? Join Campfire https://tinytown.world/Join-Campfire Wed, 20 Jan 2021 19:54:03 +0000 Tiny Town https://tinytown.world/Join-Campfire <img width="352" height="409" width_o="352" height_o="409" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/0f1b3117fc4f75a24c2545e486e832e5e6b54528ada8b39e632bb5ff621a8607/flame.gif" data-mid="95848080" border="0" data-scale="12" data-icon-mode src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/352/i/0f1b3117fc4f75a24c2545e486e832e5e6b54528ada8b39e632bb5ff621a8607/flame.gif" /> CampfireEvery day, children gather around a small campfire for silly stories from a fly and an unpredictable turn of events. They are invited to add anything they wish to the campfire, from fruit monsters to boogers. 45 mins per session 1 session every week 6-12 year olds 2-8 children per session $15 per session Want your child to try a session with us before committing?Schedule a free playdate (flexible times) DescriptionCampfire is an extracurricular program that meets every weekday. Together we explore an expansive world on a browser page as our own characters. Your child is invited to add anything they want from passenger trains to hidden restaurants! This is a wonderful ritual for children to check in with each other every week and share their creativity and imagination.We want to create a new kind of digital space for children to be with each other, where they can explore and build a world together, where their hearts and imaginations can feel excited, curious, powerful, and vulnerable. Schedule<img width="200" height="202" width_o="200" height_o="202" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/2983e1de576bb8ab5a8626f35e1ca4870c11af54b9c42dc5b0cace3b8ce5e78f/schedule.png" data-mid="95855121" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/200/i/2983e1de576bb8ab5a8626f35e1ca4870c11af54b9c42dc5b0cace3b8ce5e78f/schedule.png" /> Facilitators<img width="260" height="251" width_o="260" height_o="251" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/c65ef1aad9a3ed75c4fd0dca0f305efb04995d9e103d3fd9b5c32f32f7e5c408/kay.png" data-mid="95854725" border="0" data-scale="5" data-icon-mode src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/260/i/c65ef1aad9a3ed75c4fd0dca0f305efb04995d9e103d3fd9b5c32f32f7e5c408/kay.png" />Kay Liang leads this virtual roleplaying journey with her passion for storytelling and experimental art. She loves to make tiny things in reinvented spaces where magical experiences can unfold. Kay studied Printmaking and Computation, Technology and Culture at Rhode Island School of Design. She is currently pursuing a Master of Arts in Child Study and Education at University of Toronto. <img width="364" height="589" width_o="364" height_o="589" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/beea1a390ac0833c985e8a99de6597ad72466337847a374b3172ea9dab1815e8/maria.png" data-mid="95854728" border="0" data-scale="6" data-icon-mode src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/364/i/beea1a390ac0833c985e8a99de6597ad72466337847a374b3172ea9dab1815e8/maria.png" /> Maria Gerdyman is an unruly friend and occasional sculptor who loves cutting out what the kids draw and hearing what they have to say. Tim is their favorite character to act because he never seems to know what he's doing, and the kids always have a funny way of helping him figure it out. Maria studied Industrial Design at Rhode Island School of Design. They are currently the Design Gym Experiential Prototyper at the Design Studio for Social Intervention (DS4SI). Past Participants<img width="554" height="311" width_o="554" height_o="311" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/187516fe54bcfd6057f0da2a4ac829e9820c6a3e11a193ba09cee5b0570a68a3/aristotle.png" data-mid="95854871" border="0" data-scale="4" data-icon-mode src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/554/i/187516fe54bcfd6057f0da2a4ac829e9820c6a3e11a193ba09cee5b0570a68a3/aristotle.png" /><img width="205" height="234" width_o="205" height_o="234" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/debc11b549d0e71e62f922302cc595264a7d1aa6f436215a6bfc1f619ebc1720/aziz.png" data-mid="95854876" border="0" data-scale="4" data-icon-mode src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/205/i/debc11b549d0e71e62f922302cc595264a7d1aa6f436215a6bfc1f619ebc1720/aziz.png" /><img width="479" height="531" width_o="479" height_o="531" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/be0228d91e5418b43ea59b388cf0e462ae841bbe63dfdffbb07a93e1745001a7/owen.png" data-mid="100924453" border="0" data-scale="4" data-icon-mode src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/479/i/be0228d91e5418b43ea59b388cf0e462ae841bbe63dfdffbb07a93e1745001a7/owen.png" /><img width="312" height="346" width_o="312" height_o="346" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/ed472104adde5946921713f712900716a2de69984c04ad00833f5bf90f04fa75/rui.png" data-mid="95854887" border="0" data-scale="4" data-icon-mode src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/312/i/ed472104adde5946921713f712900716a2de69984c04ad00833f5bf90f04fa75/rui.png" /><img width="411" height="308" width_o="411" height_o="308" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/961573ee4f7ddbb39b45caf8932cf4038b596b3705ab95002e93f640c842b1d1/noah.png" data-mid="100924452" border="0" data-scale="4" data-icon-mode src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/411/i/961573ee4f7ddbb39b45caf8932cf4038b596b3705ab95002e93f640c842b1d1/noah.png" /><img width="231" height="289" width_o="231" height_o="289" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/fb71c371e77a81d1d4bfae0a675a1b137b5c8a1154ec884850bc592a0a50b2a0/ella.png" data-mid="100924451" border="0" data-scale="5" data-icon-mode src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/231/i/fb71c371e77a81d1d4bfae0a675a1b137b5c8a1154ec884850bc592a0a50b2a0/ella.png" /><img width="237" height="202" width_o="237" height_o="202" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/7ba7c3b2a91c52cef9be7c42a3a3c9a0554840b8b2873aa44dea3c391a1fa1e1/amali.png" data-mid="95854866" border="0" data-scale="4" data-icon-mode src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/237/i/7ba7c3b2a91c52cef9be7c42a3a3c9a0554840b8b2873aa44dea3c391a1fa1e1/amali.png" /> Time Tuesdays, 5-545pm ET Sign UpTBD FAQWhat will my child need for Campfire? Campfire is run on Zoom.us. You will need to install the Zoom Desktop App.Required Materials: Pencil, Paper, Phone/CameraOptional/Recommended Materials: clay, pipe cleaners, scrap fabric, popcicle sticks, colorful tape, cardboard, stuffed animals, food etc. What skills can my child develop in Campfire?Roleplaying, Collective Worldbuilding, Game Asset Making, Improvising, Turn-taking, Self-Expression. What are some of the activities in Campfire?Designing our own characters, homes, markets, objects, outfits etc. through drawings, sculptures and found objects.Exploring and creating new zones every day like dinosaur land, the observatorium, the radio station and the underground train station.Inventing new ways to play, travel and communicate inside Campfire.Connecting and sharing our days with fellow players. Looking for a longer, lessfrequent and more in-depth program? Join Tiny Town https://tinytown.world/Join-Playdate Mon, 05 Oct 2020 15:12:08 +0000 Tiny Town https://tinytown.world/Join-Playdate PlaydateInvite a friend or two to join you or your child on a playdate and tour of Tiny Town or Campfire. AudienceAll Ages.&nbsp; Up to 4 participants per Playdate session. Sign UpSchedule a Playdate Playdates are free but donations are accepted! <img width="640" height="410" width_o="640" height_o="410" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/c2be4a4df5159161b3c1fcc1360665f1ec97b8ff539830fcbdbbbba2fdc66e19/taiso.gif" data-mid="86303772" border="0" data-scale="25" data-icon-mode src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/640/i/c2be4a4df5159161b3c1fcc1360665f1ec97b8ff539830fcbdbbbba2fdc66e19/taiso.gif" /> FAQWhat will we need for our Playdate? Playdate is run on Zoom.us. You will need to install the Zoom Desktop AppOptional/Recommended Materials:&nbsp;Pencil, Paper, Phone/Camera, clay, pipe cleaners, scrap fabric, popcicle sticks, colorful tape, cardboard, stuffed animals, food etc. What skills can we develop in Playdate?Roleplaying, Collective Worldbuilding, Game Asset Making, Improvising. What are some of the activities in Playdate?Designing our own characters, homes, markets, objects, outfits etc. through our drawings, sculptures and found objects.Exploring existing zones in Tiny Town and Campfire like the library, the farm, the music festival, Megamall, dinosaur land, the underground train station.Inventing new ways to play, travel and communicate inside Tiny Town and Campfire.