Column: Designing for Children

This column was inspired by a question that I constantly get asked: “What would you say are the most important things to keep in mind when doing user research with kids?” In the following paragraphs, I’ll provide a summary of some basic things that you’ll need to take into account when conducting user research with children between the ages of 3 to 15 years.

1. Choosing and Transforming User Research Methods Based on Age Group

As on any UX research project, the research methods that you use may vary, depending on the kinds of research questions you are trying to answer. When you’re working specifically with children, an additional factor that you must consider is their age. It is important to adapt and create research methods that accord with participants’ cognitive, language, and motor skills, as well as to have a general understanding of children’s different age groups before embarking on a research project. Read More

I dedicated my last Designing for Children column to exploring the effective use of color and graphics in interactive applications for toddlers and preschoolers. In this installment, I’ll continue my exploration of the use of color and graphics, but this time, in applications directed toward older children. Read More

While most of the content and interactive elements in applications for children employ graphic components and vibrant color combinations, the way in which application’s combine these elements can lead to a great user experience or be a cause of frustration and confusion.

This column is a continuation of my last Designing for Children column, “Effective Use of Typography in Applications for Children.” In this column, I’ll discuss the optimal use of color and graphics when designing digital applications for kids between two and five years of age. Read More