Children - computer interaction: an inclusive design process for the design of our future playground

  • Authors:
  • Lee Yanki

  • Affiliations:
  • Royal College of Art, Helen Hamlyn Centre, London, UK

  • Venue:
  • UAHCI'07 Proceedings of the 4th international conference on Universal access in human computer interaction: coping with diversity
  • Year:
  • 2007

Quantified Score

Hi-index 0.00

Visualization

Abstract

After observing children playing games, two design-engineering students designed a new concept for an interactive playground, the dot°. Its basic idea is to shift the computer screen onto the floor. In order to design optimal interfaces (hardware) and game scenarios (software) for everyone to enjoy, the dot° team decided to adopt an inclusive design process. This paper starts with a discussion of popularism in design, which critiques the conventional welfare designers' approach to treat 'users' as study subjects. From the design of the design workshops to the final design solution, this paper presents how a group of young design students worked with a design researcher to formulate their first user-involvement design experience in such a way that all participants in the process could engage in the inclusive experience of exchanging knowledge between designers and users. Finally, the paper documents the user-involvement process from the perspectives of different collaborators, including design students, design researcher, high school students and their school education consultant. Hence, this paper aims to advocate the relevance of designing with people rather for them.