Visualising mathematics for little ones

• Main Author: Tho, Shi Yee
• Other Authors: Chalit Kongsuwan
• Format: Final Year Project
• Language: English
• Published: 2017
• Subjects: DRNTU::Visual arts and music::Design::Product
• Online Access: http://hdl.handle.net/10356/71141
• Institution: Nanyang Technological University

This project is an exploration on children’s interests towards mathematics as a subject. I used to fair badly in mathematics until I received help from a tutor who made sure I fully understood the basic concepts. Since then, mathematics became my favourite subject as I realised to master the subject, I only had to understand the concepts. Using this experience, I intend to change the attitudes of children having difficulties with mathematics by designing a tool to let them appreciate the process of finding mathematical answers. Through research, there are various interesting tools to help children seek basic sums such as the well known abacus, and a mechanical pocket calculator named the “Curta” designed by Curt Herzstark. Other artists who have explored on the beauty of golden ratios are Rafael Araujo who drew up a golden ratio colouring book. As children are visually developed first as compared to the rest of their senses, it is usually easier to capture their attention through the visual aspect. Therefore, the Fibonacci sequence influenced the design process to create an interesting and well balanced form. Taking reference from how the domino tiles portray numbers, my product adapts this idea to show the process of basic mathematic concepts such as addition. The final outcome of this project is intended to adjust the attitudes of young children towards learning mathematics. Through creating a tool to visualise mathematics, the product is also aimed to make mathematics more comprehensible and engaging.