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Design Category
Information design, 1996
Design firm
Peter J. Exley Architect (Chicago, Illinois)
Collection
(1997) Design of Understanding 2
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This early childhood exhibit celebrates the importance and power of play. Crucial to the success of Playmaze is the way it communicates a fantastic environment in a way visitors visually and spatially understand. Ironically, young children do not relate to “cute” comic book forms or the complex perspective distortions often prevalent in this type of environment; hence, our more literal approach with form, color, and graphics.
Specially developed for children up to six years of age and their caregivers, Playmaze is designed as a colorful city teeming with activities and opportunities for fun and learning. Exploring familiar places and everyday objects, the exhibits demystify daily experiences from which children are usually sheltered. Incorporating role-playing and interaction with adults, Playmaze assits children in their development of a sense of ownership, attachment, security, and place identity to the world around them.