Exploring children's requirements for the graphic design of WebOPAC

Abstract

This research specifically focuses on the graphic design issues involved in a WebOPAC interface for children. Children's ideas, expectations, experiences and needs were explored through their involvement in a variety of participatory design (PD) activities. The main outcomes of these activities were lists of the children's preferences and interests, sketches of design ideas and metaphors which led to the specification of the children's requirements for the graphic design of a WebOPAC interface. This research also points out the potential of information visualization (IV) and virtual reality (VR) techniques in terms of supporting the implementation of these requirements. © 2011 Springer-Verlag.