In My World: Designing Living & Learning Environments for the Young
Logrippo, Ro (1995).
New York: John Wiley and Sons; 273 pages. $NPL. ISBN 0471111627.
Ro Logrippo’s award-winning journalism introducing the general public to children’s design is well represented in her 1995 book, In My World. This book begins with a research-focused introduction, and at first glance appears to be intended for a more academic audience. Once the reader moves beyond the first couple of pages, however, it quickly becomes clear that the target audiences for this work are parents and design professionals who are just beginning their foray into the world of designing children’s spaces. The book concentrates exclusively on residential interiors and their treatments, although many of the concepts are transferable to a variety of spaces that predominantly serve children.
In My World has several main ideas and objectives that are well-developed and comprehensively explored. The author’s two primary objectives appear to be helping readers understand the importance of appropriately designing living spaces for children, and promoting the idea of co-designing with children. She deals with each of these areas fully, giving parents and design professionals suggestions, tips, and reasons for design options in children’s living spaces. In addition, she provides methods for involving children in the design process. The book incorporates information from numerous experienced individuals with strong histories of working with children, and companies that provide resources to support appropriate children’s design.
In My World provides readers with ideas about designing for different ages from infancy through the teen years, and gives helpful suggestions regarding concerns that parents and design professionals may have. It is always helpful to understand the “why’s” behind the views offered, and this book provides ample information to help the reader understand the developmental, safety, and health reasons guiding the suggestions given. The information is well grounded in child development research and can be used with confidence by readers. She presents specific examples and photographic illustrations to help readers more fully understand the concepts addressed in each chapter. However, many of the illustrations used are of spaces created by design professionals for their own children as opposed to spaces created for clients. The author also introduces the readers to areas of special concern relevant to today’s family issues, providing suggestions for managing each of these concerns (e.g., special needs, allergies, shared spaces, non-traditional living arrangements).
Generally speaking, there are several works that complement In My World, but few that can be considered comparable to In My World with its grounding in research and reader-friendly appeal. Ms. Logrippo’s previous writing with Tony Torrice, In My Room, is a prelude to this volume and sets the stage for its contents. Anita Olds’ landmark book, Child Care Design Guide, is a comprehensive manual for design professionals serious about thoroughly understanding the details of designing learning and care environments for young children. Similar concepts guide both works and both are well grounded in research but In My World, written in a decidedly parent-friendly tone, and Child Care Design Guide, intended for more serious design and child development professionals, target very different audiences. Linda Ruth’s Design Standards for Children’s Environments offers important information, but concentrates principally on children’s anthropometrics, accessibility, and dimensions of resources and products such as chairs, play equipment, and furnishings. A helpful source of information, her book lacks the practical application ideas of In My World. Finally, there are numerous books published by companies such as Sunset and Better Homes and Gardens on store shelves today giving helpful hints on decorating children’s living spaces. These often perpetuate inappropriate design ideas and lack the foundation of child development research in their design suggestions.
While In My World has many strengths as previously identified, there are a few challenges in this work. Some of the suggestions for decorating treatments border on cliché and could be more creatively directed toward the age group being discussed. There are numerous typographical errors throughout the book that can become distracting. The book also tends to be somewhat repetitious in describing details or approaches when addressing similar issues but with different age groups. This becomes a bit tedious when reading the book as a whole, but given the target audience, it may be appropriate because parents could read the sections of the book most relevant to the age of their own children and have a complete understanding of the terminology used.
In My World is clearly a practitioner’s book with a foundation of research but not a focus on it. It is an important volume that provides practical suggestions for creating more appropriate, effective, creative, and inclusive spaces for children. There are so few works available that capably combat the stereotypical approach to themed, primary-colored, parent-focused spaces for children that this work stands out as a significant contribution for children everywhere.
Reviewer Information
West Virginia University
Cindy Beacham received her B.S. and M.S. in Interior Design, her M.S. in Architecture/Construction, and her Ph.D. in Child Development from Virginia Tech in Blacksburg, VA. She is currently an Assistant Professor of Interior Design at West Virginia University and co-owner of a consulting firm, Odyssey Design Group that provides guidance to design and child development professionals as they embark on design projects targeted for children. She teaches all academic levels of design students as well as conducting workshops and seminars for Odyssey clients. Her research is focused on design for children with special needs, sustainability in children’s design, and interior design pedagogy.