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At 11am we arrived, fired up and ready to go, at the Product design studio in merchiston. This is where Lindsay, Emily and Claire warmly welcomed all of the participants and excitement filled the air. We all introduced ourselves by name and course allowing us to make new friends and connections we wouldn't normally meet. They then gave us all the information we would need to have a successful day and revealed the groups. Our team was feeling good when we were put together as with our speciality and knowledge we knew we would have a fun filled day. The atmosphere was filled with zest as we were given our first envelope, which held our first clue hinting at what company we would have to visit first. 
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After we hastily solved the first clue (immediately clocked it after the license fee question), we left Merchiston at 11:30 and quickly made our way to Holy Corner to catch the X15 bus towards the BBC Scotland offices situated on Holyrood Road.
Although, we then had quite the trek ahead as the bus only went to Carlton Hill, meaning he had to descend the feared Jacob's Ladder. (It wasn't that bad) We eventually arrived at the BBC where we were warmly welcomed by producer, Esmé who showed us where the magic happens. We were given 25 minutes to do it as the interview was supposed to last 5 minutes. Our interviewee was Helen Anderson, a senior journalist from BBC Scotland, who nicely accepted to answer our questions.
The four of us had different tasks, Andrew was the interviewer, Andra the greeter and researcher, while Jem prepared the structure for the interview and Virginie in charge of social media. Then, we said goodbye to Helen and Esmé after she gave us our envelope containing our second clue. |
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Leaving the BBC Scotland, we headed to West end after 5 minutes of reflection in order to resolve our second clue. We didn’t expect it to be physically demanding as we climbed Jacob’s Ladder but that was part of the challenge. We were going to Story UK, an award-winning creative and digital agency located on Atholl Crescent. Heather and Susan were welcoming in a relaxed atmosphere before giving us our challenge: create a 30 second radio ad that will run on national radio stations and Spotify about a new Pet Insurance Policy proposed by M&S Bank in 10 minutes. Our main idea dealt with a dog that would go to space and someone from NASA would reassure his co-worker about how trustworthy it is, with the tagline Get your pet ready for any adventure. The Script: Audio: Radio jingle plays and fades out Voiceover 1: Is Charlie ready for his space trip? Voiceover 2: No, he is still training in the academy. He is going to the moon for 9 months, but with M&S sponsoring the trip, he got an extra 3 months. Voiceover 1: Sounds like a deal, I will have to check them out. Audio: dog bark and noise of a rocket launching Narrator: Get your pet ready for any adventure with M&S Bank Pet Insurance. Get a quote today at m&sbank.co.uk Audio transcript ends. 
After completing this challenge, Heather and Susan gave us another yellow envelope with our third clue.
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Four Four Two, a number that will be forever ingrained in my fragile psyche henceforth. Through the gloriously overbearing architecture of Princes Street we toiled till the illustrious office plaque came into view. A plaque so finely crafted and a building so boldly situated, when beheld deeds of great valour are inspired.
That being said it is with physical agony that I report the toll I paid to enter their office, 100 steps up and 100 down is an exercise for greek mythologies. This would perhaps explain the success of this company, with the legwork they put in they could probably power the whole of Edinburgh with a 14 seater bicycle. The only alternative being an elevator so small that even a mouse would write the council on occupancy regulations. 442 Design, a leading design company that works on all aspects of interior design, space planning, graphic design and positioning, art direction and production. We met Ian who is strong marble carved features captured one’s attention. This was a man who’s passion for his work is matched only by his utter love and devotion to football. |
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We were challenged to produce a concept to raise awareness for the Arsenal football club charity foundation. After brainstorming we decided to create a goal scoring game with an optional father and son mode to bring awareness to the charity and club. This would be interactive and placed in Arsenal fan stores across the UK, as well as their flagship at the stadium. We said our goodbyes to Ian as he handed us a lovely yellow envelope with our fourth clue. |
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Our next objective lead us to a mysterious building which housed the legendary scripting wizards academy called CodeClan. Greeted by one of their powerful instructors, Tony, we were lead through the building past many busy magicians working on their computer spells, down a confusing corridor to the testing chamber where he produced a mind bending puzzle for us to solve.
With a machiavellian laugh and smile we were left to our own wit and will to unfurl the convoluted maze before us. Our precious minutes spilled away and a brooding grin at the window informed us that our time was up. Alas we failed this puzzle which later on we learned followed a number of unorthodox rules undisclosed to us. The instructors malicious grin melted away to reveal a warm and red cheeked, happy face that laughed gaily at our worry. He then informed us, much to our relief, that the puzzle was not intended solely to be solved, but to also test and reveal the inner workings of our minds when faced with a mind numbingly grotesque problem. From thin air a letter was produced ,’twas our fifth and final clue on this remarkable journey. Happily confused ,we skipped merrily back down the what once seemed sinister corridors and secretive corners now revealed to be a serene place of wisdom, learning and guidance towards our next adventure. |
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Surprisingly our next challenge was next door from our previous endeavour, we graced the doors of Creative Edinburgh only to behold a woman whose personality could only be described as a champagne bottle, exploding with life and positivity. She snatched us and brought us past a myriad of rainbows, games and candy, a building wholly devoted to the spirit of creativity and artistic exploration.
The task handed us required the conjuring of an impossible and random concept, and force it into the realm of achievability by declaring the true realistic requirements for the fruition of such an idea if ever put into motion. Anything now seemed possible with the outcome achieved. She waved us farewell as we awakened from the dream of this multi-hued building to the crystal sharp open air of Edinburgh.
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