October FableFriday: Erin Carvalho, Junior Developer

With her wealth of knowledge in both programming and education, junior developer Erin Carvalho offers unique insight into developing educational games and interactives. Erin has a bachelor's degree in secondary education from the University of Hawaii at Manoa and a masters degree in education from the Harvard Graduate School of Education, and it’s this background in education that pushes her to not only consider the code, but also the pedagogy in every project.

“Having teaching and administrative experience definitely helps me consider how people will use the programs I develop,” says Erin. “I’ve been fortunate enough to see how education affects everyone. I feel like I owe it to my mentors, colleagues, and students to develop programs that are student-centered and teacher approved.” 

As junior developer, Erin serves as a programmer on a variety of polished projects across mobile and web platforms. Her creative problem solving and technical skills enable her to quickly adapt to new programming challenges. So let’s get to know the newest member of the FableVision team and take a deep dive into Erin’s insightful advice for up-and-coming developers, her favorite activities, and her strong opinions on pumpkin spice lattes.

Welcome to the team! Tell us more about your journey to FableVision. 
Honestly, if you had told me in college that I would be a developer within the next three years, I probably would’ve laughed hysterically. I was sure that once I graduated I would just become a teacher. I had applied to a teaching residency in Boston when my sister contacted me about a course she worked for called CS50, Harvard University's introduction to the intellectual enterprises of computer science and the art of programming. It was too good of an opportunity to pass up. I helped develop content for their high school version of the course that mapped to the new (at the time) AP Computer Science Principles course launched by the College Board. It wasn’t long before I started taking on small development projects like the project5050.org website. That was probably the first time I thought, “I like this and I want to do a lot more of this.” 

Brian Grossman, FableVision’s Technical Director, was a teaching assistant for one of the courses I took at the Harvard Graduate School of Education, and he informed me of a developer position at FableVision. I politely declined to which he replied, “I’m gonna keep emailing you, hoping to find an opportunity to work together at some point. Hope that’s ok.  ;-)” It’s a year later, and here I am.

What does a typical day in the life of a developer look like at the studio?
One of the reasons that first got me interested in programming is that no one is an “expert.” My browsers always have a million tabs open, just like my brain. Programming changes rapidly, so you need to be comfortable being uncomfortable. While I was hired as a developer, I love being able to contribute to other aspects of projects like the UI and overarching pedagogy.

You were a Zoombinis fan before coming to work here. What’s your favorite part about the game, and how did learning about FableVision’s role in the 2015 relaunch influence your decision to join the team?
I have always been a HUGE fan of logic puzzles and brain teasers. I love challenging myself to consider various perspectives. One of my coworkers suggested that I try out Zoombinis, and I was hooked. I loved the variety of the various minigames and all the trial and error. The first time Brian reached out about potentially working at FableVision, I Google’d the studio’s projects and  as soon as I saw Zoombinis, I knew I had to do whatever it took to join the team.   

What team dynamic do you feel is most important for a development team?
I think communication is huge! People tend to think of a stereotypical programmer as someone who is alone in a dark basement drinking Mountain Dew. That’s simply not the case...I prefer Coke Zero. All joking aside, developing is almost entirely about collaboration. You may be the only developer on a project, but you typically work with a team of people who bring their ideas, perspectives, and backgrounds to help produce the best project possible. I don’t expect the people I work with to understand every technical term and I certainly don’t always have knowledge in other aspects of a project either. It is key to develop a shared vocabulary so that everyone can feel comfortable contributing. 

What are you most looking forward to in your career at FableVision Studios?
I’m excited to work with everyone in the studio. I feel privileged to work with such an amazing group of individuals who all provide critical pieces to produce amazing projects. I’ve dipped my feet into art a little and have also worked on content development,  so I love seeing the unique ideas people bring to the table.

We heard you’re a gamer! What are your favorite video and board games, and what has being an avid player taught you about designing and developing educational games?
Video Games:

• The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild

• SpeedRunners

• Borderlands 2

Board Games:

• Carcassonne 

• Code Names

• Jaipur

I think my biggest takeaway from the games I play is that a good game can be won in a variety of ways. I love using my knowledge of my opponents to inform my strategy. My favorite games are the ones that aren’t over until it’s over. As a developer, I strive to create experiences that are appealing and accommodating to all learners. I want people to be able to solve my games in whatever way is best for them. 

You’re also a certified Yoga instructor. What do you enjoy most about doing and teaching yoga?
In high school and college, I ran cross country and track. After moving to Boston, I started running, but the colder it got, the less I wanted to be outside, so I started doing hot yoga and quickly fell in love with it. My favorite part of yoga  was the mental aspect. I found that taking an hour to just focus on my breathing really helped me feel more at ease throughout the day. It also gave me strategies I could use outside of a yoga class if I was feeling particularly stressed. The community at the yoga studio became a family and teacher training just felt like the next logical step. It definitely added another level to my practice because I learned more about the anatomy behind the poses and various modifications to differentiate.

Tell us one thing that others never thought you would do, but that you have done. 
People probably thought that I would never move to Boston. A lot of people who grow up in Hawaii stay in Hawaii. It was a big move and very scary moving somewhere where I only knew a couple people. I think it was necessary, though. I’d advise anyone moving to get a dog. I got my dog as soon as I moved, and while it was stressful starting a new job and raising a puppy, it got me out of my apartment. I made a lot of friends in my building and at the dog park. Taking her for walks helped me get to know the neighborhood and all the hidden gems you only find by walking around. 

More About Erin: 

Dogs or cats: DOGS!
Favorite place to visit in Boston: The Charles River.
Favorite animated movie: The Croods.
Pumpkin spice lattes. Yes or no? No...just no.
Something you couldn’t go a day without: Spotify.
Favorite Halloween candy: Sour Patch Kids.

Join us at BostonFIG 2019!

We can’t wait for this year’s BostonFIG Fest! This bigger-than-ever event is a great opportunity to sample the best independent games around among a rapidly-growing community of creatives. With hundreds of curated digital and tabletop games, talks from industry professionals, and chances to expand your network, BostonFIG is the place to be.

FableVision is excited to attend the fest this year as an exhibitor, showcasing four games from our portfolio. Stop by our booth to demo our games, pick up some swag (who doesn’t love swag?), chat about studio life, and maybe even win a special Zoombinis raffle prize! 

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Zoombinis (TERC and Learning Games Network)

Zoombinis, a re-launch of a beloved, classic learning game from the ‘90s, focuses on computational thinking for middle schoolers. Through the game, learners can build their skills in problem solving, analysis, and pattern recognition, as well as strengthen their ability to formulate theories and inferences. The puzzles, each designed with their own unique theme, increase in difficulty as players go along and free all 400 Zoombinis. 

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Quandary (Learning Games Network)

Quandary is a unique problem solving game grounded in an ethics curriculum, encouraging players to use their judgement in situations where there may not be one right answer. As the captain of a space colony lightyears away, players must listen to the concerns of the residents on planet Braxos and come to a decision that makes the most ethical sense and has the best outcome. Quandary provides a fun, unique experience that is accessible both at school and at home.  

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Gasha Go! (GPB Education)

Gasha Go! introduces students to early math concepts, numeracy, and literacy. Modeled after the Japanese gashapon tradition, Gasho Go! invites players into the colorful world of an arcade after dark. The players then take a journey through activities that teach literacy and number sense. Complete with ten modes of gameplay designed by FableVision, Gasha Go! provides students with a fun, expandable platform for strengthening their numeracy skills.

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Cyberchase Fractions Quest
(THIRTEEN/WNET New York Public Media and the Education Development Center)

Cyberchase Fractions Quest combines a high-stakes adventure story with a research-based approach to fractions learning. With a modern and futuristic look, this game is based on the popular PBS KIDS math series Cyberchase. Players take the role of a cyber-hero on a quest to defeat the evil Hacker. As they move through different quests, with help and scaffolding from the CyberSquad, they add to their “toolkit” and create a cumulative set of math skills that meet Common Core standards and build on prior knowledge for effective learning. 

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Don’t miss your chance to access top designers, business leaders, artists, and more who are transforming the world of gaming. See you there! 

Where: Harvard Athletic Complex, Murr Center, 65 North Harvard St, Allston, MA
When: September 14, 2019 

Click here to register. 

September FableFriday: Hannah O’Neal, Lead Animator

“One of the things I like most about my job is creating fun and engaging characters, animals, and designs that bring a smile to the audience’s faces and brighten their day for having seen it,” says Hannah O’Neal. Once a FableVision intern, now lead animator, Hannah has created stunning animation at the studio for years. During her time as an intern, Hannah connected with the work and mission of FableVision, and when she finished her internship, she soon began freelancing. She then joined the team as a staff artist/animator and later became lead animator. In her role, she has delivered high-quality animation on a number of award-winning projects, and takes part in many important conversations surrounding the studio’s animation process. 

What distinguishes FableVision from other studios in the industry, for Hannah, is the work environment. “FableVision has a tremendous studio culture that creates a positive place to work,” says Hannah. “As an employee for a while now, it’s always been a pleasure working in a place that has collected what is both some of the best talent and also the nicest people in the Boston area.” 

Read on for more information on Hannah’s role at FableVision, where and how she finds artistic inspiration, and how she is shaping the minds of future animators in her animation course at the Massachusetts College of Art and Design.

What is involved in being a Lead Animator at FableVision, and how has your day-to-day routine changed since the beginning of your time at FableVision?
I still get to do a lot of the day-to-day animation tasks, making characters and designs move around in an interesting way, but now I also get to be more a part of the upfront discussions on not just what we’re working on, but also why, and how. In that way, I have the opportunity to shape the way we approach our animation for a given project and make sure we’re doing the best we can to meet our clients’ and partners’ goals. I am also able to interact more with other animation freelancers on projects and help direct them. I interact more with clients, as well, and provide animation-related information and feedback that helps keep projects looking their best.

As the art/animation internship coordinator, you’ve guided many young artists and even former students of yours in their practice. What do you look for in an intern candidate, and how does it feel to work with your students and former students at FableVision?
I was once an intern at FableVision, so I feel really blessed to be able to help usher in our new art interns every semester. I’m always looking for candidates who have the appropriate skill level in their portfolios for art or animation; however, portfolios only get a candidate so far. I also need to make sure that the candidate will fit in well within our close team-oriented environment. So I look for talented folks who are also up-beat, goal focused, and willing to jump into a team project and work with other people to make something great! I do my best to make sure my interns and students are getting the best professional experience possible, while also making it a positive experience for the studio to interact with these talented young people. By the end of the semester, I tend to be very sad when I have to say goodbye to them, but we all typically stay in touch, and I do my best to keep those connections alive.

You started out as a FableVision intern! How does your experience transitioning from intern to animator to now lead animator affect how you run the internship program?
FableVision was a great place to intern, and if I have anything to say about it, it remains a great place to intern! Becoming an animator after being an intern was a very different experience for me. The transition from animator to lead animator involves more managing, which means there is more overlap with my role as internship coordinator. I manage a team and their time, as well as direct look and feel of a project’s motion needs. I take what I learn managing the interns and apply it to what I do as a lead, and vice versa. 

What’s a project you’ve worked on this year that you’re especially proud of? Do you have any all time favorites?
This year, I just wrapped up a project that deals with financial literacy content. I was able to work with some really amazing writing and character designs, as well as some fantastic voice acting. Things came together so well and made my job not only easy, but super fun to execute. When we previewed the animation in front of the studio, it made people laugh and have a good time. That’s the best part of the job, when our team comes together well and makes something everyone really enjoys.

What are some things that have influenced your art style over the years?
As a kid, I was really into anime-style animation. While I am not as interested in that as an adult, I still use its visual language in my work. This is easy to do because most animators these days are using anime-inspired visual cues as well. Other inspirations include independent comic artists and illustrators of varying styles and genres. I love styles that push poses and emotions beyond the expected, and you tend to see more of that in comics since you have to say more in one character pose than you would in animation. I also derive a lot of inspiration from video games in terms of how things can move and what software to use to do so. I love seeing the latest from top-name motion graphic companies, as well. I’m fascinated by how much one can relate to an audience using abstract shapes and good graphic design. But what I have always felt most inspired by is nature! I’m a huge nature nerd, and it has always informed what and how I create art.

How did you first become interested in animation? What advice would you have for an artist pursuing the field today?
As mentioned, I love nature, and it’s because of that love that I was drawn to animation, specifically to the idea that I could essentially create living art. I could make art move and breathe and run and laugh. It seemed to me to be a very powerful form of artistic expression. One thing I would suggest for an artist interested in learning how to create animation, and ultimately becoming a professional animator, is to make sure you’re okay with drawing a lot! It can be tedious, and if you’re finding the level of tedium is preventing you from feeling that spark of creativity, you may want to try other forms of art. But, if you are really into it like I was, you should learn the basics first! 

And I what I mean by “basics” is learning how to draw animation (either on paper or in a software that lets you draw frame-by-frame) before starting to learn software. The animation world is very competitive world, and there are more software options than you can shake a stick at. There’s also a lot of pressure for a young animator to learn ALL THE SOFTWARE! However, all the software in the world isn’t going to make you a good animator if you don’t understand how to move and draw with a sense of weight and 3-dimension. It takes an experienced artist to make that movement something worth watching, giving your object life, making it relatable, and giving it a purpose. That can be quite a tall order! But if you can figure out how to do that, no matter what software (or paper) you use, you’ll be on the fast track to becoming a successful animator and artist.

Where do you seek out opportunities for viewing art and animation? What are some of your favorite animated shows/movies/cartoons?
Studio Ghibli films are always a great source of animation inspiration for me in regards to tone, story, and character movement. Anything animated by Milt Kahl is worth studying for hours if you can as well! He was a master of animation. One of my most favorite animated TV shows is Batman the Animated Series from the 90’s. It was very formative for me! It pushed character design and story in the realm of children’s television and is still such a pleasure to watch. I also love the animation coming out of the Cartoon Saloon in Ireland. They’re great at adding interesting stylized design and story to make epic and enjoyable animated films. Practically anything coming out of Gobelins school for animation is also top-notch! And last but certainly not least, I’ve really enjoyed the works of Giant Ant, an amazing motion graphic studio! 

Tell us about your current teaching gig!
I am lucky to work in a place that lets me take part in teaching a class on 2D Animation software at MassArt. I have always really loved teaching, which is part of the reason I enjoy running the intern program at FableVision. I’m going into my second semester teaching, and I’m really looking forward to it. Helping young artists learn to be the best they can is super rewarding work!

We heard you’re also into gaming. What’s your current favorite video game, and are there any games that have influenced your artistic style over the years?
My favorite video game is Journey—hands down! It’s SO amazing in every way I hope a game to be amazing. It has a meaningful story that promotes cooperative play with others, it looks stunning, and the music is *chef’s kiss*. It’s an award-winning game for a reason.

More about Hannah:

What’s at the top of your travel bucket list and why? New Zealand because it’s so BEAUTIFUL and kind of weird, and I can pretend to be a hobbit. It’d be great!
You love to camp! Do you prefer a tent or a camper? TENT 100%. I like hiking into a remote location and pitching a tent by a fire. There’s just something so satisfying about that—being so lost in and surrounded by nature.
We heard you grew up on an animal farm. Do you know why cows come close when they hear trumpets or other music? Cattle will come to any weird noise you make so long as they believe there will be food at the end of their journey. We used to yell out a sort of song to attract the cattle to come feed. They have to hear you over fields and hills, so you have to be really loud! It went something like, “SoooooeeeeEEEEe Cooome n’ Get iiiiiiiitttt!” and hit the empty bucket against the giant feeding trough because it makes a loud sound. The cattle loved it!
Favorite song to listen to while working? I like to listen to albums, so it’s hard to pick one song! I like to listen to the album “Songs from Moonlit Lake” by Daniel Olsén because it’s so darn cute!
Favorite work snack? Double chocolate cookies from Flour Bakery!
Describe your ideal dessert: There was this legendary dessert dish my Granny made when I was a kid that she called Mississippi Mud Pie Graveyard. It was a kind of cake with LOTS of chocolate things. It had pudding, oreo crumbles, and maybe some cream cheese. MOST IMPORTANTLY, though, it was in a casserole dish decorated with gummy worms and marshmallow ghosts to resemble a graveyard, since she made it for Halloween. I will never forget that dish and want nothing more than to eat that again, but only for Halloween!
Summarize FableVision in three words: Hard-working, good people.

Nine FableVision Resources for 2019 Back to School

Back to school season is upon us, so you know what that means—shopping for a new backpack, mapping out the bus route, and gathering the newest tools for learning! FableVision is here to help teachers, parents, and students make this school year the best one yet. Check out some of the many resources we have available to support learners of all ages, both in the classroom and at home.

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Zoombinis (TERC, Learning Games Network)

In this relaunch of the nineties classic game, players can practice their logical reasoning, pattern finding, and problem solving skills with 12 puzzles and four levels of increasing difficulty. In Zoombinis, middle schoolers  strengthen and implement their algebraic thinking, data analysis, and theory formulation skills in a fun and engaging setting, helping the Zoombinis, groups of small blue characters, on their logical journey home. The game is available for use on mobile and desktop applications, and can be played both at home and in the classroom.

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Different Kinds of Hurt: Isaac’s Story
(Massachusetts Department of Mental Health, Walker Cares)

It can be hard to open up to the people around you about how you feel. But Isaac and Mia are here to show you that it’s okay not to feel okay! Different Kinds of Hurt: Isaac’s Story, a multimedia campaign to promote conversations about mental health, destigmatizes these conversations by highlighting the similarities between mental health issues and physical injuries. Additional resources on how to identify signs of mental health issues in children and who to contact for support can be found on the Isaac’s Story website. 

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Keenville (Georgia Department of Education, Georgia Center for Assessment)

Keenville, a game-based assessment we created for first and second grade students in the state of Georgia, changes what the traditional classroom looks like by making tests more fun and engaging. Students are faced with tasks and questions and are rewarded with beans, which they can exchange to buy items in the game. While students play through the games and improve their math and literacy skills, teachers can assign games and track their students’ progress through a specialized teacher dashboard. 

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Project Here Games (The Office of the Attorney General of Massachusetts, Health Resources in Action, and the GE Foundation)

Created as a part of Project Here, a Massachusetts state-wide initiative to promote substance use prevention and healthy decision-making, Project Here Games is a useful tool for teaching social emotional skills. This game-based app consists of minigames and quizzes that allows for the user to practice skills such as standing up to peer pressure, coping with stress, and making healthy choices. Project Here Games is designed for grades 6 through 8 and can be used in an independent or collaborative setting, both at home and in school.

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Digital Citizenship Music Videos
(Common Sense Education)

With the rise in internet and technology use in our daily lives, the next generation of young leaders need to learn how to navigate and use technology responsibly. With the help of the “Digital Citizens,” students will learn how to make safe decisions online. As a part of Common Sense’s re-vamped Digital Citizenship curriculum, FableVision created lyrics, songs, and animation for three music videos about media balance, being safe and respectful online, and more. Produced with students K-2 in mind, these videos will have you singing along while learning how to build good digital habits. 

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Lights, Camera, Budget!
(Georgia Public Broadcasting, the Georgia Council on Economic Education)

Ever wondered what it takes to be a big shot Hollywood film producer? Lights, Camera, Budget! teaches key personal finance skills to middle and high school students as they navigate the process of creating a hit movie without going over budget. In this Common Core Standards aligned game, students learn financial literacy concepts by distributing an initial $100 million production budget and correctly answering multiple choice questions on a variety of personal finance topics to earn even more money. A virtual advisor provides expertise in one of three popular film genres, as well as money management throughout gameplay. Implement this game in your math class to help your students understand the importance of budgeting and managing your finances. 

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The Paper Girls Show (Global Tinker) 

Join Caily and Reese on their journey of discovery, fun, and creativity! Inspired by STEAM education and the Makers Movement, The Paper Girls Show follows the two best friends as they explore Confetti, a world made of paper. Inspire the young scientists and inventors in your life to learn about art, science, computer programming, engineering, and friendship through the animated video series, maker projects, and additional resources available on The Paper Girls Show website here.

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The Word Collector Animated Film
(Weston Woods)

Kids like to collect things like stamps, baseball cards, and even bugs! But what does Jerome collect? Words! Learn more about Jerome’s story as he discover new words and learns more about their power and magic in The Word Collector, an animated film based on FableVision founder and best-selling author/illustrator Peter H. Reynolds’ book of the same title. This film shows learners of all ages the ability words have to connect, transform, and empower. Follow along with your copy of the book, and share your favorite words on the Word Collector website here.

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FableVision Learning CTE

Looking for a way to implement animation into your classroom? FableVision Learning’s Animation CTE Program is here to help students experience animation through Animation-ish, an animation training program that provides them with the skills needed to be successful beyond school. The Animation-ish software, designed by award winning author/illustrator/educator Peter H. Reynolds and the FableVision team, enables students to develop their creativity, collaboration, and communication skills.

The Future is Now: Vote to Send FableVision to SXSW EDU 2020

For years, SXSW has been a strong creative institution attracting the most innovative ideas in media and beyond. This year marks the tenth anniversary of SXSW EDU, a subsidiary of the conference focusing on the improvement and development of teaching and learning practices nationwide. SXSW EDU invites some of the brightest minds in education to propose presentations, panels, workshops, and more for the conference through its unique system, SXSW PanelPicker. Community members vote for their favorite proposals on the PanelPicker website, directly influencing the conference’s lineup. 

This year, FableVision is teaming up with MIT Education Arcade, MIT Playful Journey Lab, and Filament Games to propose a panel on game-based learning and assessment, featuring experts in design and development for educational technology. Now we need your help to bring our session  “The Future is Now: Games as Assessment” to SXSW EDU 2020!!

Voting began last week and continues through August 23. Use your voice to vote to bring us to Austin!

Voting Process

1. Make An Account: Sign up on SXSW PanelPicker 

2. Browse the Submissions

3. Cast Your Vote: Community Voting is from August 5-23

The Future is Now: Games as Assessment

Looking to develop your skills in educational game design? Join us to learn how industry experts create games that focus on future-facing skills and promote strategies for meaningful learning that are transferable to the real world. We’ll take a look at five unique games developed by FableVision Studios, MIT Education Arcade, and Filament Games and examine best practices for accountable assessment and skill-building. Click here to read more about our session.

Speakers

• Peter Stidwill, Executive Producer at FableVision Studios. Since studying at Cambridge University, Stidwill has had over 15 successful years managing the design and development of educational games/projects for some of the most prominent names in the industry. He has taken the lead on several award-winning productions for the BBC, Learning Games Network, and more and presented at numerous events on educational technology and gaming. At FableVision, Stidwill leads the company’s production efforts, working hard to manage and execute multiple projects with a consistent level of quality, care, and attention to detail.

• Louisa Rosenheck, Associate Director of MIT Playful Journey Lab and researcher of educational technology at MIT Education Arcade. Rosenheck has expertise in developing learning games for a diverse audience, including under-resourced communities and international learners.

• Scot Osterweil, Creative Director at MIT Education Arcade and the Game Lab in the MIT Comparative Media Studies Program. Osterweil is a game designer and has been developing educational games for 25 years.

• Dan White, CEO of Filament Games. Filament Games has completed over 160 education-focused projects. White has extensive experience creating games for learning.