Friday, January 4, 2013

Faces iMake: More than just fun...

Recently I was introduced to a great new app called "Faces iMake" by iMagine Machine and acclaimed artist Hanoch Piven.  It sells for a mere $1.99 in the iTunes store.

As a visual artist, I absolutely love this app! The opportunities to play and be creative are endless.  The library of pre-made images is extensive, and the ability to import one's own images is terrific.  I also enjoy being able to share my work on the built in Face World server. The artwork others are making is really wonderful. Built into this function is the ability to download other's work, make changes to it, and upload it. Mr. Piven writes about this here


As an Occupational Therapist I also love this app.  

Faces iMake provides multiple therapeutic opportunities including:
  • sequencing
  • finger isolation
  • finger-to-thumb opposition
  • drawing with alternative tools
  • spatial organization
  • temporal organization
  • motor planning
  • writing prompt
  • receptive language skills
  • social skills
Incorporated in the app are six art lessons geared towards using the app, which are given by Mr. Pivon himself.  The lessons are brief and entertaining. Below is one of the lessons.





Here are a few Faces iMake "master-pieces" that I created!

The one to the right displays the tool bars to the left and right of the image. The whole layout is very intuitive to use, and while the "How to" video is really great, one can actually just jump in and start playing immediately if inclined.


First Effort!

Taking a picture of my desktop, I then took a photo of myself, and I found a cartoon image of a ninja. All of that was easily imported straight into the app. Then I used the letters, and ta-da! Instant Tech-Ninja artwork!

Tech-Ninja Original
Happy therapy! Happy creating!

4 comments:

  1. Hi Jim,

    Thank you for this amazing review.

    It is really gratifying to see when people really understand what

    Faces iMake is all about.

    Thank you for detailed and thorough review

    Looking forward to seeing your work in Faceworld™

    All the best

    Eyal

    ReplyDelete
  2. Eyal, it's a pleasure to encounter such a unique and fun app! And when such a great app has such potential therapeutic value that's really exciting. I look forward to seeing what other apps you all produce in the future.

    Jim

    ReplyDelete
  3. Hi Jim,

    How r u ?

    Have u seen our latest app in the Faces iMake Family ?

    http://facesimakeabc.imaginemachine.com/

    Let me know if would like a code

    Take care

    Eyal

    ReplyDelete
  4. Hello Eyal, I've not seen the new app yet. I'd love a code, and a chance to take a look at it.

    Jim

    ReplyDelete