The Curious Gastronaut is a game about exploring the world of food through play. Following prompts, players use their imagination to gather ingredients, combine them to invent bite-size edible experiments and explore them using all their senses. The goal is to discover new flavours, textures and combinations. One can choose to play with real food or imaginatively and choose from different modes of play. By bringing play to the table, the designer wants to inspire children and adults alike to be curious and excited about the edible world, and continue exploring beyond the game.
Designed by Nalisha Chouraria
Recognized by A' Design Award.
Nalisha Chouraria is a multidisciplinary designer and illustrator who specialises in play & design for children. She creates unorthodox tools to stimulate and empower children, and encourage them to step out of their comfort zone through play. Her work includes illustration, play design, graphic design, event design, and digital & physical toys and games. She brings the child's perspective into her designs through research, playtests, observation, interviews & workshops. As well as working with a suite of award-winning studios, Nalisha has had utterly unique life experiences, including being a Bollywood child actor and marrying a tree. During her early education, all her designs were termed as ‘cute’. This led her to question the very attribute and break out of it through experimentation with the unconventional. Studio Oddball is her playground.
Nalisha Chouraria has A- Rating, valid through 2021. A- stands for Professional Rating. DBI Awards the A- Rating to entities whose designs meet the baseline standards of professional craftsmanship and creative execution. This rating recognizes reliable and competent efforts that are professionally executed. This certificate is awarded following a rigorous evaluation process conducted by an esteemed jury panel, comprising a diverse group of experts from around the world, including journalists, academics, design professionals, and entrepreneurs. The assessment adheres to a blind peer-review methodology, ensuring complete impartiality. Entries are meticulously evaluated based on pre-established criteria, with scores being normalized and standardized to uphold fairness and consistency. This process acknowledges and celebrates professional achievements in innovation, design quality, and creative capacity.
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