Design and Research for subconscious STREAM learning for Kanakia School
Conducting qualitative research and design through understanding how kids learn, and how product design can led to subconscious learning and interaction for children of multiple age groups (kindergarten through twelfth graders) for International Board (IB Board) in Mumbai, India.
1 year, 2021
E-commerce
4 Designers
Photoshop, Illustrator, AutoCAD, Sketchup
My Role
User interviews, observation research, contextual research
Service pipeline, Branding and visual design
Design conception for digital/physical products for children
Technical drawings for execution
Live usability testing and prototype iterations
Impact created
60% increase in caretakers' and teachers' satisfaction in children's learning outcomes.
40% increase in school admission rates.
Successful integration with visible increase in learning interests.
25+ products and spaces created that are functioning successfully 4 years down the line.
3000+
Students impacted directly
45000sqft
area impacted through product design integrations
60%
increase in staff satisfaction regarding student learning
Overview
The project began as a re-think of educational facilities, strategizing how to make students gain specific subject learning, values, and knowledge of ancillary skills subconsciously through physical and visual interaction with a focused application of spatial and product design. The integration of the logistics of a school, norms, required building services across the floors has brought in daily site and coordination challenges to cater to that our team has been solving through management between the various agencies for the designed vision, intent, and functionality to be maintained. Taking from the school brand’s ideologies and approach to teaching, after detailed discussions with the school board, teaching staff, students and understanding specific spatial requirements from The International Baccalaureate® (an international education board), the conception and development of the design stemmed.
Researching methods of 'socio-emotional' learning and their opportunity areas with the IB curriculum.
We began by studying the education board's curriculum - multiple subject areas across the target grades to understand the spectrum of topics. Simultaneously we studied behavioral strategies pertaining to socio-emotional learning. We interviewed students of multiple age groups, staff members, parents/caretakers as 3 main user groups to understand the main question - how exactly do kids learn? Understandably, we realized there is no one solution caters to all method here, as each child learns, absorbs and reacts differently.
Through behavioral patterns, we concised the learning strategy.
This research formed an integral base of approaching learning-based products for us as designers, as well as the school.
How I applied the learning strategy in the design:
How the school formed socio-emotional learning as a base for its approach and designing:
Based on the research and interview with students, their caretakers and the teaching staff, I started designing spaces and products.
I designed prototypes and sent them onsite for production/ development. The physical prototypes made were tested with student users of different ages, heights mental models to understand usage and design iterations.
A prototype design for a kindergarten loop learning engagement
The iterative stage focused on material research, environmental standards for safety and physical iterations of the products.
At this stage, I felt testing with children for ergonomic compatibility and versatility was most prudent.
After 3 round of prototyping and testing, the final designs were sent onsite. The products have thoughtful application of material, ergonomics and educational concept to them for different age groups across the school.
We had to go back and make multiple changes based on user heights, behavioral movements we had not realized before given the dynamic nature of the user group. It was a fulfilling moment seeing the iterations being met with such vigor. In the process we also conducted detailed observations and natural chatting with the children to understand positives and negatives of their interaction with the products.
We treated the entirety of spaces as a product in some contexts, collaborating with engineers to bring about their feasibility of production.
We designed a total of 25+ spaces and 40+ products for the 45000sq ft school catering to 10,000 students.
Achievements
Our goal was not only to design spaces and products that fostered STEAM education for children but also to create a lasting impact on the education system and society through creative skills and inventions. By designing and delivering 25+ spaces and 40+ products for a 45,000 sq. ft. school serving 10,000 students, we successfully nurtured interaction-based learning across science, art, and form domains. Through iterative testing with children, we refined designs to align with ergonomic compatibility and dynamic user behaviors, achieving a 60% increase in caretakers' and teachers' satisfaction with learning outcomes and a 40% rise in school admission rates.
Beyond these measurable achievements, we aspired to nurture individual identity, creative confidence, and intellectual freedom at all life stages. By focusing on thoughtful, user-centered iterations, we ensured products and spaces remain functional and impactful, even four years later. This initiative also aligned with our broader mission to extend educational opportunities to underprivileged individuals, particularly in South Korea, aiming to contribute to a more inclusive and equitable education landscape.
My key take-aways
User-Centered design iteration
Insights from parent interviews and child observations shaped a rigorous cycle of prototyping, testing, and refinement, ensuring solutions catered effectively to both children and parents.
Risk identification and communication enhancement
Research highlighted critical risks and challenging developmental stages for children, driving the development of clear, effective parent communication strategies.
Translating insights into impactful designs
Engaging directly with users deepened my understanding of customer needs, fostering a stronger ability to create customer-centered designs and make insight-driven decisions that translate seamlessly into actionable solutions.
