Maples Workout Boky Tantara Fanabeazana

Press Kit

Unique Properties

Maples Workout was created to show children that rehabilitation can be fun, easing worries about medical appointments. This book follows Maple, the teddy bear, on exciting exercises that make rehab enjoyable. It teaches young readers about the steps in the rehab journey, emphasizing that getting stronger can be a playful adventure. As part of a larger initiative, it highlights user-centered design to improve children’s experiences in healthcare, making visits less daunting and more fun.

Dimensions & Packaging

10 by 8 inches hard book

Tags

Maple, orthotics, childrens healthcare, user experience, medical appointments, disability awareness, storybook, pediatric rehabilitation, emotional support, engaging design

Production Technology

For Maples Workout, the design process involved a blend of storytelling and user-centered design methodologies. We conducted workshops with children and parents to understand their needs and fears related to rehabilitation. Using feedback, we created engaging illustrations and relatable characters that resonate with young readers. Techniques like iterative prototyping were employed to refine the narrative and visuals. The book combines digital tools for illustration with traditional printing methods, ensuring vibrant, child-friendly pages that enhance the reading experience.

Design Challenge

The creative challenge involved addressing the emotional barriers children face during medical appointments. Overcoming societal misconceptions about disabilities was crucial, as was ensuring that the design resonated with young audiences. Historically, children's resources have been limited, leading to anxiety in clinical settings. External factors like healthcare regulations influenced content accuracy, while advancements in technology allowed for engaging illustrations and interactive elements. Collaborating with medical professionals ensured the project was both informative and supportive, fostering a positive impact on children’s experiences.

Research

This design research focuses on improving children's experiences in healthcare settings, specifically for those with disabilities. The objectives include reducing anxiety during medical visits and educating children about clinical procedures. We employed qualitative methods, using interviews and observations to gather data. Participants included children, parents, and healthcare professionals. The results revealed that relatable resources significantly eased children's fears. Insights showed that engaging designs can foster comfort and understanding, ultimately impacting how healthcare is delivered, enhancing both societal awareness and design practices.

Inspiration

This project was inspired by the need for relatable resources for children facing frequent medical appointments, particularly those with disabilities like cerebral palsy. I aimed to create an engaging experience to reduce anxiety and make clinical visits more approachable. My background in Industrial Design and research on user experience in healthcare guided the development. Collaborating with healthcare professionals ensured the content was informative and comforting for young readers.

Project Duration

Project developed in Spring 2024 at Iowa State University

Operation Flow

Maples Workout engages children through a relatable narrative that transforms the experience of rehabilitation into an adventure. Interaction occurs as young readers follow Maple's journey, identifying with the character and his exercises. Key frames include playful exercises that children can relate to, making the concept of rehabilitation more approachable. By presenting medical procedures in a fun context, the book reduces anxiety and promotes understanding. This design performs better by fostering a positive mindset toward rehabilitation, encouraging cooperation and participation in their healing journey.

Patents

Maples Workout © 2024 by Bruno Oro is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 4.0.
To view a copy of this license, visit:
https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/