Design Challenge
#3: How might we learn from COVID-19 to reimagine our future for life, work, learning and play?
Project Description
Children love to run around and play!
Staying at home during the Circuit-Breaker period due to the COVID-19 outbreak has been very draining, both for children and adults. Being outdoors is especially important for children to be able to play together, have fun and explore.
We developed a set of graphics and posters that can be applied at public playgrounds and parks, or circulated at schools. As play areas open up again in the near future, it is important that messaging promotes safety and good hygiene in a light-hearted way. We drew inspiration from children cartoons and applied it to our Singaporean context.
Criteria #1: Value
We heard from parents of young children, mainly aged between 5-10 years old. They expressed their children should be able to play safely together, once the Circuit-Breaker period ends. Some shared their concerns about ensuring hygiene and cleanliness in the playground setting since children are typically prone to get dirty and sweaty while playing. As play areas open up again in the near future, it is important messaging that promotes safety and good hygiene are light-hearted, colourful and educational.
Criteria #2: Inspiration
We drew inspiration from children cartoons and sought to apply it to our Singaporean context. Games like hopscotch with simple messages can be featured as floorgraphics at play areas. Messaging can vary from being fun to educational, while encouraging kids to play together. Fun, reassuring messages for tape can be used at playgrounds and areas children frequent — to replace current tapes by adding a touch of colour and vibrancy. The design approach is meant to appeal to both boys and girls. We drew inspiration from children cartoons and sought to apply it to our Singaporean context.
Criteria #3: Impact
The applied graphics and collateral we developed aim to educate children in a fun and light-hearted manner. Being outdoors is an important element of growing up and being healthy; our aim is to create graphics that encourage children to be safe while they play.
Criteria #4: Timeliness
Once the Circuit-Breaker period ends and outdoor recreational activities resume, public playgrounds across Singapore will begin to reopen. The applied graphics/tapes are easy to print and install. It can also be issued as collateral (i.e. stickers/badges) that can be passed out to children at schools.
Criteria #5: Systems Thinking
| The artwork can work standalone or as part of broader campaigns promoting recreational activities at public areas or circulated at schools. It can be adapted at playgrounds managed by authorities such as National Parks (NParks) or the Housing and Development Board (HDB) to encourage play and exploration among children. |
