Re-imagining ISGR Guldheden Library With Children: Story of The
Bookworm
Dear teachers and students at the International School of
Gothenburg Region (ISGR),
Hi! I am Xinyi You. A graduated MFA Child Culture Design student
at the Academy of Art and Design, the University of Gothenburg.
Earlier this year, I got an amazing opportunity to visit the school
library and have workshops with the children. As part of my thesis
project, it provided me valuable insights that helped me develop
the project. I would love to share the process with you here and
hopefully get some feedback from you.
Before I begin the story, I have exciting news: On October 23rd
(w.43, Friday, 16.30-18.30), I will have a joint graduation event
in Gothenburg, together with another child culture graduate who
designed children-friendly streets. Due to the current situation,
it is a two-hour closed free event that includes art-based
workshops and discussions about our projects. If you are
interested, please feel free to email me at [email protected] to
learn more or register.
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Trained as a spatial designer, I had a huge interest in
designing and developing public space. During my education at the
Child Culture Design program, I focused my research on placemaking
with children. Using school libraries as the main subject, my
thesis project investigates the question: what kind of physical
objects can be applied in a school library to improve students’
reading experience?
No one can answer this question better than the students
themselves. To approach children’s participation in the topic, I
used three main methods: on-site observation, on-site short
workshop sessions, and a design workshop with Year-5 students.
During on-site observations and short drawing sessions, I noted
that students prefer a cozy reading environment. They love to read
in corners as it provides a sense of security. Also, they tend to
use library furniture in their unique and creative way (Fig.1). For
example, children would use the seating surface of a sofa as a
writing/reading surface while sitting on the floor; they would sit
facing the back and hold the book against the back support of a
chair. Furniture that does not offer the potential of a variety of
sitting posture seems to be less popular. Compared to sofas and
armchairs, classroom desks and chairs usually get less
attention.
Figure 1. Different ways of reading
The workshop with Year-5 children offered me a deeper
understanding of the library furniture. The main task for students
was to criticize and re-design a piece of school furniture(Fig. 2).
At the end of the workshop, students had to write about their
design projects. Sixty-five Year-5 students were formed into
thirty-three groups. Nineteen groups chose the school library
furniture as their design subjects. By interviewing students, as
well as analyzing written project descriptions (Fig. 3), I
abstracted guidelines for my design idea. For example, the ideal
product outcome should be something modular so that it can be put
together to modify the space. The shape of it should be open-ended.
Meanwhile, the choice of color and fabrication implies the feeling
of calm and joy.
Figure 2. Design Workshop
Figure 3. Writing Material Analysis
I came up with a series of library furniture concepts based on
the design guidelines (Fig. 4). By sketching, concept model making,
the tubular-shaped product idea was created. The shape of the
product has a high affordance that indicates multiple ways of
usage. In this way, children's reading is not limited but offered
more potentials. This series of products is called Bookworm. The
Bookworm offers students possibilities of different sitting
postures and chances to modify the spatial setting according to
their own will.
Figure 4. Design Concept
Now I am working actively to develop the project further. I am
reaching out to companies that can create a prototype. I am
planning to pitch the idea to design companies so I can work with
design and market experts. At the same time, I am hoping to receive
critics and feedbacks from you. You can contact me at
[email protected], I will be glad to hear from you.
In the end, I want to say thank you to all the librarians,
teachers, and students who joined me in my design journey. I am
grateful to meet all of you. I truly appreciate it.
Best regards,
Xinyi