PAX Buttoneering - Should it be every PAX and how can it be better?
So we've had five great Prime Buttoneering events now, and stuff is kinda getting into a rhythm, so now it's time to think about how to mess it all up.
Starting this year we're doing out first PAX East Buttoneering. This is mainly in response to their traditional trading game not getting off the ground. I've always been a supporter of each event having their own "thing" (as well as enjoying only having to worry about it once a year), but I've also heard people saying that they like the idea the Buttoneering being a cross-PAX community event that ties them all together.
I thought I would ask the community at large, and see what everyone thinks. While we're at it, I'd love to have a discussion on Buttoneering in general. Especially if there's something you didn't like and want to improve, or if you haven't done it and can tell us what would entice you to join.
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PAX Prime 2014 Buttoneering!0
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If the question is "should we introduce buttoneering to PAX AUS?" my answer is yes. As for how to make it better, it's hard to say. One idea, though i don't know how feasible, would be for some kind of facial recognition for buttons for the app. For example, if you take a picture of a group of buttons, the app identifies what buttons you have and allows you to add them to your collection on the site.
It's entirely up to each person what size button they make. 1.5" is generally the most common, but there have been lots of people who've done 1" or 2", some people have gone with square or rectangle buttons, and one memorable buttoneer who shall remain nameless who has done...what was it, 6"? There are also folks who have done handmade buttons in non-traditional shapes and sizes.
Basically, whatever you want to make/purchase and distribute, is pretty much okay with us.
1.5" was originally chosen as a good balance between size and cost. Since then, we've seen that the 1" ones are harder to attach to thick fabric (like the canvas on messenger bags), as well as being more difficult to fit artwork on. Personally, I'm not a fan of the way they fasten either. However, participants are definitely encouraged to design their buttons however they want. It's about creating something that represents *you*, not making something that other people want.
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PAX Prime 2014 Buttoneering!
I know that many people are wedded to pins, and the idea of buttons, and whatnot- but these are the things I took away from my many conversations during PAX East this year about it:
1) Information Density. Cards allowed a rather deep amount of information density- indicating what the person was interested in, sometimes a QR code (Leading wherever the person chose), at least two photos, how far they were from the current PAX, what events they participated in, and a free text area to indicate what you thought your gamers were able to say.
2) Carrying capacity. It was very easy to carry 200 cards- plus your 2-300 cards that you had left to give out. It's very hard to carry 200+ buttons.
3) Simple generic usefulness- if a trading card was given to someone not participating, it still meant something, and they could still use it to contact you. It also meant that they asked what all the details on the card meant, in most cases, which drove interest.
4) Just.. fun. It was really nice to get a card and learn bunches about them and go "Hey! Do you want to go play X!" And now, that doesn't happen. I get a button from them that might get... a single image. Or a QR code. But a button with a QR code is damned ugly. So it isn't common. But either way... I can't scan it and learn things, and get excited- "Hey, you like Shadowrun too! I'm running a game Saturday and have a free slot, do you want to jump in?"
I don't have a solution, if people really want buttons. But I am somewhat depressed by cards going away- I know Dave can't organize it anymore, but something within me hates the raw loss of information. Cards were (and are, for those with them still laying around) useful.
I do appreciate the easier viability.
I do know I've already lost this debate, and I know I'm risking being infracted even posting my feelings, since I was the last time I mentioned it (the infraction got removed, by someone somewhere, so I dunno if I actually broke rules) but I can't change that everyone I talked to at PAX mourned the loss of cards, due to buttons being harder to deal with. If there is a solution, I'd love to hear one- I just can't think of one, other than organizing cards myself- but I have about as much artistic capability as a drunk cow- someone with far more photoshop ability than me finished up my card in 2012 for me.
Ah well. PAX will continue, and it shall be awesome. But I and many others do prefer Cards, they're just not willing to post it.
Relevant info: #PAX East: 3 Coin Lunch organizer. 2012 Trading card available. Pokecrawl Assistant 2012. Pokecrawl attendee 2011. Cult of the Leaf attendee 2012.
My personal issue with them was the "rest" of it.
It's harder to get a small number of cards produced, leaving people with tons and tons of leftovers after each event.
The cards themselves are more difficult to design (albeit not by a ton) since they have more components to create that larger information density.
It's harder to make the cards visible to let other people know you're a trader.
There's also a significantly larger amount of "pre-work" that has to happen for the cards, to keep the template updated and refreshed.
I think all of these factors contributed towards both the lack of trading during a high participation year (2012) and the eventual death due to nobody being willing/able to pick up the "pre-work" before east 2013.
I agree that many probably do prefer cards, or at least prefer having a separate event, but it's not as accessible in general. I think buttoneering ends up working significantly better for the quick-trade momento. Also, many folks now have their own quick info cards (like moo cards) to give to people regardless of a trading event. Maybe encouraging buttoneers to have contact cards could work out well. These contact cards could be more easily re-used between events since they wouldn't have any design features that would have to be tied to a specific event.
That might be a good middle-of-the road way to go.
Relevant info: #PAX East: 3 Coin Lunch organizer. 2012 Trading card available. Pokecrawl Assistant 2012. Pokecrawl attendee 2011. Cult of the Leaf attendee 2012.
3DS Friend Code: 2707-1614-5576
PAX Prime 2014 Buttoneering!
Also i think if people really miss the trading cards why dont they just put it on a button?
or actually make a trading card and put it on a rectangular button?
[15 minutes later]
okay so my sleepy self made some mock-ups. I mean i think 4" rectangle buttons could work?
Trading Card Button
QR code button
The only issue i could see with the QR codes is that the camera might not pickup the code cause it might be too small or something.
I agree. Kiashien has a good point about the information density of cards but I don't even think it's comparable to buttons.
Or at least with the points that were made.
Buttoneering is a whole different ball game.
I'm sure it has different meaning to everyone but to me buttoneering is not really about the collection of 'information' per say but rather a quick way to connect people's faces with their forum names. Sometimes when I trade I make a great conversation out of it but sometimes it's just a quick "oh hi, let's trade, oh that's who you are!"
Also buttons are just cool. :-)
I think trading 'business cards' would be a good idea but I don't think it should be a replacement to buttoneering.
As it is a lot of PAXers already have business cards written up so that could easily become an 'official' forum thing if it wanted to be.
A suggestion regarding buttoneering though:
Move the post PAX meetup to a different meeting place.
I know it's traditionally been outside the doors of the convention center but I found it VERY crowded last year.
Not sure if anyone else felt that way too but it's just kind of stressful being in a huge mixed crowd of Buttoneers mixed in with regular PAX people mixed in with the general public. (makes it hard for a group photo too)
Maybe we could meet in the garden/courtyard thing in the back there instead?
I don't think that thing's off limits after the con is it?
Also, maybe arrange a 2nd meetup mid-PAX for those people who can't make it to the final meetup?
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PAX Prime 2014 Buttoneering!
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