Found an interesting place recently. A place where children can doodle freely, for the entire day if they choose, and whatever they draw can be converted to a book, a planner or even a canvas.
Introducing Scribble Press. A one of a kind studio where kids do what they do and SP helps them convert it into something long lasting and memorable.
We are loving the colors!
Continuing with the KidSpace Project- this is a typical example of what qualifies. A sheltered street, low through traffic (fewer disapproving adults), textured grey wall and some chalk. Voila- personal canvas is born!
In BKYLN.
Now where would one find a space that was best designed to engage kids? Naturally the Children’s Museum. We expected everything there to draw us and our little “tester” in. There were many toys, and many things to play with, but very few DESIGN elements, that were engaging to a child.
It is hard to explain so we are going to try to outline some criterion:
We are looking for things that are NOT only and obviously toys. They are NOT decals (of Diego, or Spongebob, George, etc.) We are looking for things that are part of the spatial expression of a room, and by their intended presence, draw a child, or a child-like adult in. They could even be a different kind of interpretation of a traditional activity that kids do, like paint or make a mess. And they could simply be elements that we have never seen before…
Its kind of subjective, but we hope to clarify our intentions through the process of finding actual elements of DESIGN that define or engage a space for a child so you’ll see what we mean. For instance, take this blackboard at Children’s Museum of Manhattan:
It is part of the space.
It is a design element (wall painted black) but it is engaging to a child because of its intended use, height and the colored chalk lying around.
The chalk holder is bolted onto the board.Yes, the potholes are filled with colored liquid, and can be rotated! It is simple, elegant and was one of the more popular kid attractions.
Introducing our new pet project: KID SPACE
For a while now, we have been interested in this idea of how children’s spaces are different from ours. It is not necessary to have toys in a space for it to engage a child. In fact we find that our 3 year old tester finds fun in the most unobvious places- the bar of a scaffolding becomes a hanging beam, a strategically places toilet roll holder becomes a steering wheel, a clothes hook is an elephant with its trunk up- you get the idea!
So to honor active imaginations of our youngest generation, and to explore design from their perspective, we are going to dedicate the next few posts to children’s spaces (design and details) that we find intriguing or those that we consider huge success because they cater to the littlest folks in the best way.
ASM DESIGN 