Echo – A Translating Toolkit for Children
Design Practices: Graphic Design, Interface, Product Design



Research has proven that learning to speak more than one language is highly beneficial for children of a young age. Advantages go beyond language dexterity: they also enhance the brain’s cortex, resulting in a range of positive side effects from enhanced problem solving, improved memory to greater creativity. In the context of an increasingly multi-cultural society, could there be new ways for our youngest students to become familiar with foreign languages thus developing curiosity that will help set the ground for language acceptance and learning for years to come?

“Echo translator” is about children taking their own responsibility for learning languages. It is an introductory platform allowing children to engage with different languages using basic communications skills. The kit allows for playful parallels to be made between the English language and foreign languages, combining sound, words, images and colour to identify the differences. It incorporates fundamental aspects of early learning: responsiveness, progressive complexity, and tactile interaction. Its design allows for: repetition, experimentation and construction focusing on an incentive without being too forceful.

The mechanism is simple visual trickery, using colour gels to make sense of the tangled images of overlaid colours and text. This builds up an element of surprise, allowing users to unfold mini animations while comparing similarities and differences between the two languages. Portability, ergonomics and intuitive design have been taken in to consideration making it user-friendly while at home or travelling.


Key Collaborators:
Rakhi Rajani, Kim Partick (concept development), Satoko Onisi (materials & production)









Contact:
Remy Jauffret
07726898861
r.jauffret@googlemail.com