Design Process:
How do you make a studio for your classroom/ curriculum
Teachers select studio/sprint topics based on criteria of curricular alignment, the physical methods of prototyping, or other studio objectives that are desired.
3 Offerings
NuHub
DESIGN DASHES
SPRNTS
STUDIOS
Interdisciplinary projects
Higher Grades
Transcripts, University Portfolio
Interdisciplinary projects
Easy Entry to all ages and subjects
Super Quick design challenges
All ages and all subjects
10 hrs +
2 hrs +
20-45 mins
Studio Attributes
Involves learning by doing and actively engages students in testing an idea, solving a problem, or making something
Studio Attributes
Students are interested in the topic and seek to explore its context and develop deeper understanding in the subject matter
Studio Attributes
Students feel a sense of value by seeing their work in their communities or larger world
Studio Attributes
Enabling Constraints
Studio Attributes
Constraints actually drive innovation by forcing teams to think more creatively. Narrower scope creates efficiencies and forces problem-solving.
“My freedom thus consists in my moving about within the narrow frame that I have assigned myself for each one of my undertakings. I shall go even further: my freedom will be so much the greater and more meaningful the more narrowly I limit my field of action and the more I surround myself with obstacles.”
— Igor Stravinsky (Poetics of Music in the Form of Six Lessons)
Thought Experiment:
One Project, Three Ways
To better understand the concept of enabling constraints, we're going to consider three different versions of a project that could be delivered to students.
n.b. these are beet dishes, not projects
Project V1: Accessorize Yourself!
Use simple materials to design and create a wearable accessory
Project V2: Get Dapper!
Make and customized a cardboard bow tie with the given template and materials
Project V3:
Make a wearable accessory inspired by one of the landmark buildings in Lebanon(consider its form, history, siting, or programming) . It should have at lease on moving part, and communicate something about the landmark to those who see you wearing it.
Reflection
The Vegas buffet of project-based learning: anything and everything is on the menu. It’s hard to make good decisions!
V1
Open-ended design prompt
V2
Prescriptive design prompt
V3
Design prompt with enabling constraints
The school cafeteria tray of project-based learning: there’s only one thing on the menu. It’s hard to be inspired (except on Taco Tuesday)
The favorite restaurant of project-based learning: a curated list of options, and by choosing from them you are given agency and get what you want.
Let's Generate a Studio Project!
A unit of curriculum that could use a hands-on unit is ______.
When I picture final projects, I imagine students making______.
The semi-open ended studio prompt that I share with students will go as follows: ____________ (2-3 sentences).
For the research/context investigation phase, I could engage a(n) ________ (field trip, expert, compelling documentary, show and tell, etc.) to help the students connect with the subject matter more deeply.
I have _______ resources available for the students to make their projects. If possible I'll have them make their low-fidelity prototypes out of _________ and their high-fidelity prototypes out of _______. (Note: can be cardboard for both).
It would be great if the final share-out/exhibition could look like ______. _______(parents, community members, other students, etc.) could be in attendance. I want the students to look back on this unit and remember ________ .
I have ______ hours to dedicate to this experience. A good time of year to do this would be_______.
Studio Development MAD LIB:
Studio Subject &
Studio Medium
Studio Prompt
Context
Investigation
Prototyping
Exhibition /
Storytelling
Planning
1. Identify Studio Subjects!
Possible places to start:
2 minutes to brainstorm
Tip:
2. Consider Mediums!
Places to start:
2 minutes
Tip:
Mediums Outputs
Robotics
Wearables
Stop Motion
and more
Product Design
Artificial/Virtual Reality
Examples
Studio/Sprint Premise
Subject
Medium
How do we come up with studio ideas?
Context/Why of the Studio
Abstraction in Art
Data in Computer Science
Food Waste in Social Studies
Poetry in Literature
Erosion in Science
History of Riyadh
Aerodynamics in physics
2D/ 3D Mapping
Wearable
Stop Motion
AR
Game Design
Installation Design
Cast & Mold
Studio Output
We combine two core prinicples!
+
Studio/Sprint Premise
Subject
Medium
How do we come up with studio ideas?
Context/Why of the Studio
Abstraction in Art
Data in Computer Science
Food Waste in Social Studies
Poetry in Literature
Erosion in Science
History of Riyadh
Aerodynamics in physics
2D/ 3D Mapping
Wearable
Stop Motion
AR
Game Design
Installation Design
Cast & Mold
Studio Output
We combine two core prinicples!
+
Studio/Sprint Premise
Subject
Medium
How do we come up with studio ideas?
Context/Why of the Studio
Abstraction in Art
Data in Computer Science
Food Waste in Social Studies
Poetry in Literature
Erosion in Science
History of Riyadh
Aerodynamics in physics
2D/ 3D Mapping
Wearable
Stop Motion
AR
Game Design
Installation Design
Cast & Mold
Studio Output
We combine two core prinicples!
+
Studio/Sprint Premise
Subject
Medium
How do we come up with studio ideas?
Context/Why of the Studio
Studio Output
+
Science (Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Environmental Studies)
History & Social Studies
Map Making: Create historical maps of trade routes or civilizations.
Stop Motion: Reenact historical events with light box animation.
Video Games: Design interactive historical simulations.
Sculptures/Models: Recreate historical structures or artifacts.
Robotics: Build cardboard models that move with simple electronics
Wearables: Create wearables for health tracking inspired by natural forms
3D Mapping: Model environmental map in 3d hand models
Math
Art & Design
Stop Motion: Animate creative stories and artistic concepts.
Movie Making: Tell visual stories through film.
Sculptures/Models: Create abstract forms and expressions.
Wearables: Experiment with textiles, LEDs, and movement.
3D Render: Explore geometry, symmetry, and patterns through digital visualization
Sculptures: Build complex geometric structures.
Robot: Use drawing machines to create geometric designs, exploring symmetry, transformations, and tessellations.
Computer Science & Technology
Geography & Environmental Studies
3D Render: Program bots that support a community oriented cause
Map Making: Show urban development and natural landscapes.
AR/VR: Design immersive digital environments.
Video Games: Code interactive experiences.
3D Mapping: Visualize terrain and climate changes.
Video Games: Simulate resource management and sustainability.
PE
Literature & Religious Studies
Inclusive Design: Redesign a known game so it works for all abilities—focusing on fairness, access, and collaboration.
Pattern Making: Design architectural panels, tiles, or digital patterns inspired by religious geometry and mathematical rules.
Wearables : Create low-tech or digital wearables (bands, markers, trackers) that measure movement, teamwork, or stamina..
Games: Design a physical obstacle course that visualizes speed, balance, force, or endurance (parkour paths, agility zones, reaction challenges)
3D Mapping: Visually map key journeys (Hijra, Hajj, pilgrimage) using 3D maps.
Coding: Use coding to explore patterns, structure, and themes in the Qur’an without changing its text.
Infusing within your classroom
If you don't want to do the whole design process you can infuse your classroom experience with small activities
research activity
Brainstorming
Sketching & Protoyping
Context Investigation: Topic Research
What can topic research look like?
Observation
Reading / Research
Interviews
Documentary
Expert Lecture
Field Trip
Phase:
Context Investigation: Topic Research
Examples
Phase:
Research what shapes are used in Lebanon's traditional architecture? What makes them look exciting? What do you think was the inspiration behind them?
Subject: Art - Geometry - History
Research the movements of a living organism. Does it follow any specific mathematical ratio. Create a diagram for it.
Subject: Art - Science- Math
Choose a story, myth, or religious text from any culture. How could you retell or represent it visually, like in a cartoon digital project?
Subject: Art- Literature - Religion
BUILDING BLOCK BRAINSTORMING
Function
Method
Flying
Climbing
Rolling
Diving
Bouncing
Bus
Pod
Metro
Elevator
Tubes
Prompt about the function of future transportation methods
Phase:
Brainstorming
Examples
Phase:
X City is getting greener. How can we install more modern planters in our school and ensure its growth and maintenance throughout the year? Think about system (water, light, nutrients), site & structure.
Subject: Art - Science
We want to redesign the school playground. How can we create slides, swings, or seesaws that are safe but exciting? Think about system (forces, motion, friction), materials, structure, and accessibility.
Subject: Art - Math - Physics
The school wants to improve the running track. How can we design it so athletes can run faster and safely? Think about system (friction, surface material, slope), structure, and weather conditions.
Subject: PE - Physics
There are different types of prototyping that are versatile and can fit in any subject:
Phase:
Paper Origami
Robots
Wearables
Low- Fi Prototyping
Phase:
Sculpture
Set making + Stop motion
3D Mapping
Low- Fi Prototyping
Phase:
AR/VR
Video Game
Movie
3D Render
Low- Fi Prototyping
Exhibition
Display projects around the space and have student
Collective Presentations
Students present on the stage one by one
Fashion show
For wearable studios, students present their work through a fashion show
Demo Day
If projects are interactive or functional (like installations, apps, or robots), students do live demos. Visitors can try out projects themselves.
All presentations last for 2 hours, with an average of 50 students presenting. You could have different groups running in parallel in different spaces, with different juries rotating between them.
Film screening
Host a screening event where students introduce and show their films.
Final Presentation
Phase:
