Design: Designing for Children

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

Although the Web is maturing quickly, User Experience remains a primary area of contention for most Web sites and applications across diverse product domains. But User Experience is not a constant across all audiences, irrespective of their age group. A UX design that works perfectly for most people, most of the time, might not work at all well for kids. Children have particular wants and needs that you must address.

All UX designers and app developers must take the needs of kids into account when designing Web and mobile apps. Children’s perceptions and experiences matter because kids now make up an essential audience for many Web sites and apps. There are numerous educational Web sites and apps, online games and mobile game apps, productivity apps, and entertainment Web sites and apps that cater to children. These services and platforms are increasingly gaining popularity among children. Plus, online learning is becoming more and more popular among kids of all ages.

When kids are your audience, your UX design concepts and solutions must address their specific concerns and needs. So, in this article, I’ll explain various aspects of UX design for kids and describe why they matter. 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