So you want to create your own Photo ColorOn Graphics® Puzzle?!
Yes, YOU can create your own puzzle! But Photo ColorOn Graphics® puzzles are not ordinary puzzles. They are a complete learning experience. Of course, you have some questions. We have answers for you below. Click the link above to begin your puzzle-creation project.
Frequently Asked Questions 1. Who benefits from a Photo ColorOn Graphics®puzzle project? Photo ColorOn Graphics® puzzles are intended for use in the classroom or for any small group, such as Boy or Girl Scouts, home school groups, church school classes, Boys and Girls Clubs, YMCA and YWCA youth programs, etc. Through cooperation, mutual support and group problem-solving, your collection of young learners will gain skills and insights through this hands-on, multi-faceted project.
2. What theme can I choose? Does it have to be minerals or geology? You can choose any theme you like. Machines, vegetables, history, people, animals, insects, law, your school, your family, nursing home, babies, cars, .... Whatever is of interest to you can become a Photo ColorOn Graphics® puzzle!
3. Is there an approval process? We do have an approval process for every puzzle proposal. Not every proposal will be accepted to become a Photo ColorOn Graphics®puzzle. Every Photo ColorOn Graphics® puzzle meets only the highest of quality and educational standards. Among the questions we ask of you are the following: -- Does your puzzle proposal have multiple significant educational components? -- Is your proposed design a high-quality design? -- Are your graphics of an appropriately high quality for the age and abilities of your class or group?
In addition, the purpose of the approval process is to verify the ownership of the images being used (in other words, proof that there is no copyright infringement). We will provide you with an application/approval form and will follow up by email and phone to get your project off to a strong start.
4. What are the guidelines I need to know? The vision of Photo ColorOn Graphics® puzzles is that they are all created according to some basic expectations. These expectations are a. The puzzle includes a thematic photograph. The photograph itself should have elements that are educational in themselves. For example, the photo on the New Hampshire puzzle pictured above includes hikers on the "Old Man of the Mountain" granite outcrop. The size of the people challenge the puzzle users to estimate the size of the outcrop. b. The puzzle will include up to 8 unique line drawings that illustrate an aspect of the puzzle theme. The drawings should each have an element or elements that are labeled. This significantly enhances the learning experience. The drawings should contain enough detail to be educational, but simple enough to be easily colored. c. The puzzle will have a website component that adds to the educational experience.
There are also some technical expectations: a. The drawings must be original. Proof of originality (in other words, proof that there is no copyright infringement) must be provided to Diamond Dan Publications/Photo ColorOn Graphics®. b. The photograph must be original. Proof of ownership and originality of the photo (in other words, proof that there is no copyright infringement) must be provided to Diamond Dan Publications/Photo ColorOn Graphics®. c. The image resolution for the drawings must be no less than 300 dpi. 400 dpi or 600 dpi is also acceptable. d. High-resolution photographs are preferred. The higher the resolution, the better the quality of the final product.
5. Who does the website construction portion of our puzzle project? Diamond Dan Publications can do the website construction for you. HOWEVER, for your puzzle to have its highest educational value, we strongly encourage YOU and the children in your class or group to create your own website! If you need the support, we can help you format your project for the puzzle making department when you are ready. We are available to support your efforts through email and phone.
6. Does the puzzle have to look like the sample above? Your puzzle is YOUR project and can have any look that you and your group want to create. Here is the only expectation: It has to include a photograph and a number of original, informative line drawing panels.
7. What does a Photo ColorOn Graphics® Puzzle project cost? The cost of your puzzle project will depend on a number of factors. Listed below are the options from which you can choose. 1. The Self-Guided Project. This is the most cost-effective option. The Self-Guided Project assumes that you will do the work yourself. You and your students take or obtain your theme photo, you draw your own line drawings, and create your own website (along with all the educational materials you wish to include in the website). The fees are as follows: $100 Processing Fee (includes review of your initial project to the point of approval; some additional guidance and support throughout the project through its completion.) $75 puzzle set-up fee. Once the puzzle is set up, you can return as many times as needed to have more copies produced. $19.95/puzzle (plus shipping)
2. The Partnership Project. This is an a-la-carte option. It is structured on the idea that you and your students will do the majority of the work and we at Diamond Dan Publications will support as requested with content production and website production. $100 Processing Fee (includes review of your initial project to the point of approval) $30/hour for content creation (that is, writing original material for your website component) $30/hour for website construction. $75 puzzle set-up fee $19.95/puzzle (plus shipping)
3. The Customized Project. This project option is for customers who want to have a custom-designed Photo ColorOn-Graphics* puzzle product for their own use. We at Diamond Dan Publications are hired by you, the customer, to create the entire project (photograph, line drawings, website content, website). You provide the theme and concept and we do the rest. Cost: $2,500. This includes obtaining the appropriate photograph, creating the line drawings, preparing the puzzle, researching and writing the website content and creating the website itself. The price includes 20 puzzles. Additional puzzles: $19.95/puzzle (plus shipping)
8. Who owns the copyright of our puzzle when it is done? You own the copyright of your drawings and photograph or photographs used on the puzzle. Therefore, you retain all privileges concerning the distribution and use of the puzzle, including any and all sales of your puzzle project. Diamond Dan Publications retains the right to use the image of your puzzle on its own website and in its advertising. Mikki Weiss (MW Educational Consultants) owns the Registered Trademark of all Photo ColorOn Graphics® products.
9. Can we sell copies of our Photo ColorOn Graphics® puzzle? Very simply, YES. You own your puzzle. Diamond Dan Publications retains exclusive right to the physical production of copies of your puzzle. We do this in order to maintain full quality control so that we can assure you that every copy of your puzzle is of the highest quality. And YES, many of our customers plan to sell their puzzles as a fundraiser for classroom activities or to support other projects of their group/organization.
10. How do we finance our Photo ColorOn Graphics® puzzle project? Some groups have enough resources to pay for their project directly. Some groups seek out funding through donations. Some groups obtain funding through a single donor and repay their donor through sales of their puzzle. Some groups obtain funding through educational grants. Some groups seek funding through a local business or businesses whose logos are included on the puzzle (and the puzzle then becomes a source of advertising for them).