Top Ten Findings

1. Characters are often involved in successful children's information design, as children can engage more with them than with written text.
2. Constant markers showing that you are on the right track are important when designing for a trail. Otherwise, people could drift onto the wrong track. It is also exciting for children when they see these signs.
3. Colour is crucial in wayfinding. Bright, contrasting colours make the signs stand out from a distance, so that hikers don't get lost. Greens and browns would blend in too well with the surroundings of forest, so this should be taken into consideration when designing.
4. It should also be noted that if colours have been used for another trail or wayfinding signage in the area. These designs should not cross over to avoid confusion.
5. Interactive elements keep children occupied and stop them from growing bored.
6. I discovered by researching about Copenhagen's central library that children like obvious, understandable shapes. Simplified maps are also important.
7. Lance Wyman said of information design: "Don't overlook the obvious. Designers too often neglect exploring ideas because they seem too obvious, trite, corny, etc. when the obvious is transformed into a new image it can be powerful and easily understood." Sometimes obvious works, especially in this area of design, which aim for cohesion.
8. From viewing Wyman's brainstorming of designs I also realised that idea generation is the key to creating a successful design.
9. The height of maps and information boards should also be taken into consideration. For example, they have to be at a height where children could still be able to view it clearly.
10. If using pictograms they should be universally recognisable. This is usually helpful for the people who can't read the text. Arrows can also be used to make the required destination more obvious.