The Hex Desk responds to the challenge of over-maximization in elementary classrooms and the negative effect on students and educators. My team's solution proposed a flexible multipurpose desk with increased storage and organization. Our design process focused on the central values of story, individualization, and social impact. We allowed the experiences of our family members in elementary education to inform and validate our product alongside student feedback. The marketing plan focused on creating a video featuring students pitching the product to superintendents. Our method of subverting the traditional hierarchical structure of a school corporation gives power to the students, elevating their voices and relieving stress on educators. This project created space to test my design philosophy of valuing human-centered methods in tandem with systems thinking. In collaboration with Ana Collar and Makayla Dumato.
