La Mappa Misteriosa

11 January 2012

Towards the end of 2011, the BBC launched a new interactive Italian-learning drama, La Mappa Misteriosa

As well as Italian language learners, the audience of La Mappa is mainly composed of Italian food lovers (the characters of the drama have to find a secret recipe for a cake), holidaymakers and, in general, people who are interested in Italian culture.

We were asked to help enhance the experience of users who are already familiar with the course, but also introduce those who have never heard of it to BBC Languages and to the Italian language and culture. Output had to be suitable for classroom use.

We produced a promotional resource featuring the programme slogan “Real Italian, real adventure”, the La Mappa brand and URL, and incorporating some of the props used in the film. We were asked to evolve and broaden the La Mappa experience: introducing the idea of something that resembles a scrapbook, as if, once the adventure is over, the user has collected photos, ticket stubs and other keepsakes. We left space for the users to write their own notes and comments, add their photos etc.