Craftu
CAPSTONE CASE STUDY
How can design be used to assist low-socioeconomic students with social and academic development, as well as daily stressors?
Introducing Craftu—a program that provides resources and material kits containing therapeutic art to low-socioeconomic classrooms.
While there’s not a perfect single solution, Craftu was created to combat the daily challenges experienced by low-socioeconomic students in the classroom and their everyday. While testing was not able to take place, various studies and interviews with young and experienced teachers in low-socioeconomic (low-SES) school districts and therapeutic art experts formed the foundation of Craftu’s concept. Multiple key findings arose, leading to the final design solution:
Why is the solution Craftu?
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How it works.
With funding from the National Endowment for the Arts, Craftu will work directly with school administrations and teachers to introduce material kits into specific classrooms.
Through Craftu’s website, teachers and administration will be able to request specific Craftu Crate projects, detail class and student needs and demographics, and input any accommodations or adjustments to lesson plans.
Once requested and confirmed, teachers will receive the number of requested Craftu Crates, 10–15 hour-long lesson plans, and a teacher’s guide to success.
Click above to view the entire Craftu Crochet Workbook
Crate contents.
Each material kit contains a workbook with video tutorials, as well as written instructions, in case students do not have internet access at home. Supplies for the in-class project are provided, along with extra materials if students desire to work on their own personal projects outside of the classroom.
Ideally, lesson plans would be able to be integrated into both art classrooms and other subjects. Craftu is geared toward grades 5–7, though every classroom and student is different. Eligibility can be evaluated on a case-by-case basis.
The design.
CRAFTU CRATES WERE DESIGNED WITH KIDS IN MIND!
From the labels to the dieline, each material kit is travel-friendly and safe to use. Although simple, an interactive and bright design can bring so much life to packaging. With a name label on the top of the material kit, each student has the chance to take ownership and responsibility for something with their name on it. The bright colors are fun and playful, as well as gender neutral, encouraging every student to enjoy crafting, despite stereotypes of textile arts being feminine or old.
Each box contains a removable insert with various required materials attached. Underneath are additional supplies, including the interactive workbook. Each workbook contains multiple questions and reflections that pertain to Social Emotional Learning Standards, as well as a few Ohio Learning Standards across multiple subjects.
All important materials are labeled to remind students to return them to their spot or easily identify a misplaced item. Boxes can easily fit in backpacks and come with a parachute cord handle for easy transport through hallways and to home.