Fostering connections : solutions for bridging gaps in modern digital families

Abstract

While digital technology makes our life more convenient, they also bring some was new challenges to our life. At home, some parents and children are addicted to digital products and reduce face-to-face communication, which leads to gaps between them. This study aims to increase the interaction between parents and children in the limited space based on face-to-face communication, which is of significance in children's development stage, and provide the interaction that is essential in the children's growth stage. In this study, information about the psychological and physiological characteristics of children aged 3-6 years was collected from the literature. The conceptual design was then combined with Norman's emotional design principles for implementing a design of home furniture based on the inspiration of the parent-children face-to-face interaction furniture, which contains the basic function and interesting function. To design this sofa, some inspirations were combined; starting with a hopscotch game in which the assembled cubes were locked to each other and build up in the shape of a sofa. Concerning stability and security, the sofa was developed step by step. For example, a wooden cage was constructed to protect the stability of the sofa. Then, colors and styles were included in the cubes to offer Twister gameplay on the sofa to the family. The final prototype took off the wooden cage and was redesigned with some irregular geometry objects, and a permanent connection between the structures was made using iron wires. This sofa design does not only meet the basic functions of furniture but also promotes the parent-child interaction. It can help bridge the gaps between parents and children in the modern digital background.