TITLE:
Taking DIY to the Classroom: The Abstract Bookshelf Project with the Sparkling Mindz School
AUTHORS:
Sophia Park
KEYWORDS:
Abstract Art, Flow State, DIY, Art Pedagogy, Curriculum Development, Tactile Learning
JOURNAL NAME:
Creative Education,
Vol.15 No.9,
September
29,
2024
ABSTRACT: The Abstract Bookshelf Project, conducted at Sparkling Mindz School in Mumbai, India, explores the intersection of abstract art and functional design in a classroom setting. Led by student artist Sophia Park, this initiative engaged students in a hands-on workshop that combined creative art-making with a practical furniture design inspired by IKEA’s DIY business model. The project consisted of two phases: first, allowing silent observation of each student’s abstract interpretation through collaborative drawing, and second, transforming those abstract designs into functional 3D-modeled furniture, which is, in this case, a bookshelf. Through this experimental workshop, the goal is to measure the optimized flow state of the students while also promoting sustainability through minimalist design principles: a blueprint for integrating art and design into education worldwide. This approach will highlight the benefits of experience-based learning and propose a shift towards a more progressive, community-oriented educational environment.