2023
Interactive Storybook
Tangible Tool for Collaboration
How do we make an interactive tangible tool, which promotes collaboration amongst children?
Our objective was to create a user-friendly interactive storybook tailored for children, incorporating story prompts that allow for plot choices. We aimed to enhance creativity by integrating drawing and crafting prompts, utilizing pens and stamps. Our focus was on designing an intuitive interface to foster collaborative and imaginative engagement, thereby transforming the conventional reading experience into an interactive and hands-on adventure for children.
Introduction
The task at hand involved crafting an interface that accommodates simultaneous interaction among 3 or 4 individuals, akin to friends gathered around a meal or sharing stories by a campfire. However, the unique challenge here was to foster collaboration on a problem by reimagining how their processes could be enhanced through the use of a tangible interface.
The incorporation of a collaboration tool in tangible interface design proves advantageous as it enables real-time communication, fosters seamless idea exchange, and cultivates a shared understanding among team members. This, in turn, contributes to more cohesive and innovative design outcomes.
Our objective was to create a user-friendly interactive storybook tailored for children, incorporating story prompts that allow for plot choices. We aimed to enhance creativity by integrating drawing and crafting prompts, utilizing pens and stamps. Our focus was on designing an intuitive interface to foster collaborative and imaginative engagement, thereby transforming the conventional reading experience into an interactive and hands-on adventure for children.
Research
How to Write a Children’s Book : we understood different types of children’s books, considerations regarding how to decide our target age group, themes and messages, how to instill a “moral of the story”. Discover techniques for engaging storytelling that captures a child's attention. This may include the use of humor, relatable characters, and compelling plots.
Designing for Kids: Cognitive Considerations: we learnt that due to the ongoing development of children's cognitive skills, their reasoning abilities are not as advanced as those of adults. The article likely emphasizes the importance of creating user interfaces that cater to the specific needs of children by providing clear and specific instructions. The key recommendation is to design interfaces that align with children's mental models and prior knowledge, recognizing their evolving cognitive capabilities. The focus is likely on enhancing usability by considering the unique characteristics of children's cognitive development, thereby ensuring that the interface is user-friendly and supportive of successful interaction for this particular demographic.
Designing for Children : we understood and learnt more about the ongoing effort to establish a new standard in design and business that prioritizes ethics and the well-being of children. The article likely delves into the evolving principles and practices aimed at guiding the development of products and services specifically tailored for children. This could include insights into responsible design choices, considerations for age-appropriate content, and the importance of ethical business practices when creating products intended for a younger audience. The focus is likely on fostering a design approach that goes beyond aesthetics and profitability, emphasizing a commitment to the best interests and safety of children in the evolving landscape of design and business.
Our Solution
The project is an Interactive Story Book designed for kids aged 7-9. It utilizes a tangible interface to provide a hands-on, immersive experience. The children collaboratively choose a story, personalize it by adding their names to the cover, and illustrate it using a combination of physical and digital elements. The interface guides them through the story, prompting them to create and decorate various elements such as backgrounds, characters, and houses. The goal is to teach moral lessons by actively involving the children in the storytelling process, promoting patience and hard work. The project concludes with a QR code on the end cover, allowing the kids to access a digital version of their collaborative creation. Overall, the interactive nature of the interface fosters critical thinking, storytelling skills, and collaboration among the children.