Mindfulness Room
Mindfulness Room
A design-focused approach to addressing the challenges of maintaining focus in school after transitioning from online to in-person classes.
A design-focused approach to addressing the challenges of maintaining focus in school after transitioning from online to in-person classes.
Overview
Overview
TIMELINE
Oct 2022 - Mar 2023
TIMELINE
Oct 2022 - Mar 2023
DISCIPLINES
Interior Design
Graphic Design
Painting
DISCIPLINES
Interior Design
Graphic Design
Painting
ROLES
Project Lead
Ideating
Sketching
Prototyping
ROLES
Project Lead
Ideating
Sketching
Prototyping
TOOLS
Procreate
Roblox Studio
Woodworking Tools
Paint
TOOLS
Procreate
Roblox Studio
Woodworking Tools
Paint
ROLES
Project Lead
Ideating
Sketching
Prototyping
TOOLS
Procreate
Roblox Studio
Woodworking Tools
Paint
TIMELINE
Oct 2022 - Mar 2023
DISCIPLINES
Interior Design
Graphic Design
Painting
The Challenge
The Challenge
Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, maintaining focus in school came naturally.. However, after classrooms turned into computer screens and Zoom breakout rooms, it was much more difficult to concentrate, as multitasking became the norm. The real obstacle came when schools returned to in-person classes from online and hybrid learning. After adapting to the norms of online and hybrid learning, many of us – myself included – struggled to readjust to traditional classroom settings. This transition was further complicated by the pandemic's widespread impact on health and economic stability, creating additional stress that affected both students' ability to focus and teachers' capacity to maintain engaging classroom environments. It was during this time of adjustment that I began considering ways to improve my community through my Boy Scouts Eagle Project, asking myself:
Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, maintaining focus in school came naturally.. However, after classrooms turned into computer screens and Zoom breakout rooms, it was much more difficult to concentrate, as multitasking became the norm. The real obstacle came when schools returned to in-person classes from online and hybrid learning. After adapting to the norms of online and hybrid learning, many of us – myself included – struggled to readjust to traditional classroom settings. This transition was further complicated by the pandemic's widespread impact on health and economic stability, creating additional stress that affected both students' ability to focus and teachers' capacity to maintain engaging classroom environments. It was during this time of adjustment that I began considering ways to improve my community through my Boy Scouts Eagle Project, asking myself:
How arts and design enable students and teachers to increase focus and destress from the pressures of in-person learning?
How arts and design enable students and teachers to increase focus and destress from the pressures of in-person learning?
The Process
The Process
Sketch and Ideation
Sketch and Ideation
I decided that a mindfulness room would be just the thing to help local students and teachers improve focus and attention. I used Procreate to sketch out the idea I envisioned: an inspirational mural, wall art, and comfortable seating with bean bags and carpets. I decided to theme the room around nature due to its scientifically-proven ability to reduce stress and evoke calmness. I also created a 3D version of my idea in Roblox Studio.
I decided that a mindfulness room would be just the thing to help local students and teachers improve focus and attention. I used Procreate to sketch out the idea I envisioned: an inspirational mural, wall art, and comfortable seating with bean bags and carpets. I decided to theme the room around nature due to its scientifically-proven ability to reduce stress and evoke calmness. I also created a 3D version of my idea in Roblox Studio.
Prototyping
Prototyping
After reaching out to several local elementary schools, one principal agreed with enthusiasm, and the plan was underway. Since this would be my first time painting a mural, I decided to create a small prototype of my mural on a piece of drywall. I tested various colors and different brush techniques.
After reaching out to several local elementary schools, one principal agreed with enthusiasm, and the plan was underway. Since this would be my first time painting a mural, I decided to create a small prototype of my mural on a piece of drywall. I tested various colors and different brush techniques.
Problem Solving
Problem Solving
I visited the elementary school to gather more data on how to implement my mindfulness room. It was different compared to how I first imagined it: I planned to paint the mural on the center wall, but a whiteboard and projector occupied it. Instead, the principal and I agreed on painting the mural on the right-side wall, which had a speaker and door. Not sure if the principal would allow me to paint over them, I created multiple options for how the mural would look. In the end, the principal chose the option for the fully painted mural.
I visited the elementary school to gather more data on how to implement my mindfulness room. It was different compared to how I first imagined it: I planned to paint the mural on the center wall, but a whiteboard and projector occupied it. Instead, the principal and I agreed on painting the mural on the right-side wall, which had a speaker and door. Not sure if the principal would allow me to paint over them, I created multiple options for how the mural would look. In the end, the principal chose the option for the fully painted mural.
Mural Workdays
Mural Workdays
With the help of youth volunteers from my Boy Scout Troop, I led and demonstrated techniques to prime the wall and paint base colors.
With the help of youth volunteers from my Boy Scout Troop, I led and demonstrated techniques to prime the wall and paint base colors.
To transfer my mural design onto the wall, I utilized a projector to project and a pencil to trace.
To transfer my mural design onto the wall, I utilized a projector to project and a pencil to trace.
I drew thick border lines for each base color of the design so that the colors can be painted simultaneously without mixing together, which is time-efficient.
I drew thick border lines for each base color of the design so that the colors can be painted simultaneously without mixing together, which is time-efficient.
I worked on refining the lines and adding finer details.
I worked on refining the lines and adding finer details.
Wall Art Workdays
Wall Art Workdays
I made the frames for the wall art out of pine wood. I cut the wood pieces and secured them with wood glue and dowels inserted at a 45-degree angle at each corner.
I made the frames for the wall art out of pine wood. I cut the wood pieces and secured them with wood glue and dowels inserted at a 45-degree angle at each corner.
During my project workday, I instructed Scout volunteers on gluing the moss art and painting the wooden frames.
During my project workday, I instructed Scout volunteers on gluing the moss art and painting the wooden frames.
Final Product
Final Product
Seeing the results of my planning, hard work, and everyone’s support was definitely the most rewarding part of this project. From a bland conference room to a sanctuary, I hope this space serves as a reminder to students and teachers at my local elementary school that they are not alone, that everyone needs and deserves a safe space.
Seeing the results of my planning, hard work, and everyone’s support was definitely the most rewarding part of this project. From a bland conference room to a sanctuary, I hope this space serves as a reminder to students and teachers at my local elementary school that they are not alone, that everyone needs and deserves a safe space.
