REFERENCES:

https://www.nngroup.com/articles/childrens-websites-usability-issues/

https://www.toptal.com/designers/interactive/guide-to-apps-for-children

https://www.cronj.com/blog/ux-design-for-kids-boost-your-apps-leads-at-a-go/

MY MAIN TARGET AUDIENCE:

Ages 6-11

RESEARCHING AGE APPROPRIATE UI DESIGN:

notes:

TAKEAWAY/ HOW I’LL DESIGN DIFFERENTLY NOW:

age brackets

I will research which UI is needed for the two upper child age brackets and even research whether or not to include the upper/lower age bracket in my research. I will therefore research:

– midrange (6-8)

– older (9-12)

I will research how tech savviness and reading abilities affect UI (which icons, illustrations, and language i should use)

For example:

For 3-5 years, the UX should be extremely simple, with more pictures and less content that hooks the child’s attention immediately. In this group the user’s patience is very low.

For 6-8 years, the UX should consist of simple and familiar words while maintaining small sentences. In this age, children gradually learn to read.

For 9-12 years, the navigation layout can be updated, allowing swipes and scrolls. This is because by this age, a child becomes familiar with the features of the app.

As a result i should use simple and familiar language but while also teaching slightly more advanced scientific species names etc at the same time. I should also use simple and obvious icons but not make the colours and illustrations too childlike/ cartoonish for example red, yellow, and blue with line weight being extremely think and chunky.  At the same time however, bright and vibrant colours should be used, staying away from a monochromatic / black and white theme.

I will try to retain consistency in these things between screens

 

Children enjoy receiving feedback in apps

As a result in my app will experiment with animations to create more of an excitement inducing and interactive app.  While this may be irritating to adults children enjoy the app experience even more if these features are included.

 

children want rewarded

for performing tasks in apps – as  a result i will create rewards or trophies for doing things like visiting places or completing quizzes.

 

Lagniappes

I will add a “lagniappe” or Easter egg in my app for a touch of extra playfulness

Use a multi touch interface as children become frustrated if they can’t navigate a screen intuitively.  For example i should use pinching the screen an option to zoom in on the map instead of a slider with only one finger.

 

Use an easy navigation layout

I should allow children to reach their destination in one go/ with one tap, if I don’t do this it will lead to confusion and frustration.  Failure of understanding of how to move through the app will make the user experience worse.