Toy Furniture for Children’s Library
Individual Project
Multi-Functional
Series of multi-functional children’s furniture. Blocks are filled with soft filaments, varying in hardness.
Interchangeable Parts
Color blocks are interchangeable and can be easily taken apart and reconnected usingvelcro.
Learn by Playing
Children can create their own characters to stay with them. Pockets are attached for storying books.
Velcro Connections
This is a series of multi-functional children furniture. Every color block is an interchangeable part and can be easily taken apart and reconnected through velcro. There are pockets attached that can be used to store books. All the blocks are filled with soft filaments but vary in hardness.
The pockets on the sides of the product are also attachable. Children can carry these with them to pick the books that they want to read.
Full Scale Model:19" x 20" x 11"(left) and 25" x 23" x 11"(right)
Research of the Environment
At the beginning stage of this project, I started with general research of the whole library. The place I chose for this project is Athenaeum Children's Library which is on the ground floor of the larger library. I conducted interviews with librarians and children to better understand the library system, and observed people’s behaviors at different time periods of the day.
Layout of the Hole Library and Children’s Library on the ground floor
User Flow Map
In the children’s section, children are misusing the space for teasing and chasing most of the time.
Therefore, I want to design an experience that helps children to learn while playing, developing children's social, cognitive and physical abilities.
User Testings & Feedback
Librarian: Pros: children would love to play with the huge blocks because they are at a child’s height level. Cons: instructions are needed to teach children how to play with them correctly.
Children: Pros: colors make them want to play with and touch the blocks. soft texture which comforts them. Cons: hard time separating velcro and need friends to help
Parents: Pros: colors are great and pleasing to look at. outer fabric can be cleaned easily. Cons: a tool which holds books for children could be added.
Future Improvements
1. Compose a story book based on the characters in my final product. Therefore, children could first read the book and get to know what are these creatures. And they will be excited when seeing these fictional characters coming to life and are on full scale sitting with them to read and play together.
2. Compose a small cartoon animation based on the characters in the final product to inform the children how these interchangeable blocks work.
