Design for Children

Suzanne O’ConnorLoughborough Design School

MSc. Ergonomics BA (Hons) Interior Design

Designing for Children

Environment of Risk Communication for Young Children

A Childs View

‘Much of the environment that surrounds children is designed for adults’

‘Childhood is a path rather than a definable state.’

Age Variants – differences you see between children of the same age

“In developed societies children are consumers and producers, from a very young age, of a range of media texts that involve a variety of playful and creative practices”

“Childlore from the perspectives of anthropology and musicology and have identified how the forms, functions and transmission processes involved in playground games and rhymes are both persistent over time and constantly changing. “

Consider Children's Capabilities and Limitations

Consider Children's Capabilities & Limitations

What are the physical constraints that are defined by my user group ?Types of information/ data you require Motor skills – movements and actions Anthropometric – Static (weight and height etc) and dynamic measures (reach and stretch, grip strength etc)Body massStrength

Behaviours

Behaviors

“Pretend Play connects to and stimulates particular cognitive skills in young children.”

Safety Issues

Fascinated by mundane – but not always safe – objects

Implications

Inevitably, these objects usually end up in their mouths, or being tossed across the room; neither of which is safe or the way they were intended to be used.

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When reducing risks the order of priority should be as follows (ISO/IEC Guide 50 gives information in relation to this):• Inherently safe design• Protective design (safeguarding) • Information for safety• Additional protective devices• Training• Personal protective equipment• Organization

Safety IssuesHazard Control Hierarchy

EU and Uk standards: Safety of Toys BS EN 71

series, each part addresses a specific aspect. 

Standards should be your first port of call - the minimum you can do- even toys that meet standards can be unsafe.

Standards for Child Safety

Product recall

Exercise: Map out the physical characteristics in relation to design for children. Consider these aspects within the design brief .

Ergonomic Aspects

Design for Children

Cognitive Ability

Cultural Factors

Behaviours

Safety Issues

Include: Interactions with persons and products, their development and behaviour their lack of knowledge and experience and also social and environmental factors

Understanding attributes such as age, size, strength, cognitive ability, prior experience, cultural expectations and goals