Design Thinking & Learning Programs for Kids & Teens

I would express that Artshala Center for Design aims to address the prevalent issue of limited access to quality design education. We recognise that many children worldwide possess immense creative potential but lack the resources and opportunities to nurture it. By making design education more affordable and accessible, we're breaking down barriers and empowering young minds from all backgrounds to explore their creativity, develop essential skills, and pursue meaningful careers in design. Our mission is to democratize design education and unlock opportunities for every child, regardless of their socio-economic status or geographical location.

Artshala Center for Design offers a comprehensive solution to the problem of limited access to quality design education. Through our innovative approach, we provide affordable design learning programs and courses tailored specifically for younger students. Our curriculum is thoughtfully designed to be engaging, interactive, and age-appropriate, ensuring that children not only learn fundamental design concepts but also develop critical thinking, problem-solving, and creativity skills from an early age. By making design education accessible to all, we're empowering the next generation of innovators and creators to unleash their potential and shape the future of design.

Artshala Center for Design's programs serve a diverse range of students, with a particular focus on making design learning accessible to underserved children. By offering affordable programs and courses, we aim to break down financial barriers and provide opportunities for children from all backgrounds to explore their creativity and develop essential design skills. The impact of our programs extends far beyond the classroom, empowering students to become confident problem-solvers, critical thinkers, and creative innovators. Through our CSR initiatives, which include workshops and camps, we reach out to underserved communities, providing valuable learning experiences and inspiring the next generation of designers. Overall, Artshala's mission is to enrich the lives of students by equipping them with the tools and confidence to succeed in an increasingly design-driven world.

At Artshala Center for Design, we pride ourselves on our diverse and accomplished Advisory Board, a group of esteemed design experts, educators, and practitioners with a collective experience of over 40 years in the field of design.

Comprising individuals from various design disciplines and backgrounds, our Advisory Board brings a wealth of knowledge, insight, and expertise to guide and support our mission of fostering creativity and innovation in design education.

From industry veterans to seasoned educators, each member of our Advisory Board plays a crucial role in shaping the direction of Artshala and ensuring that our programs remain at the forefront of design education.

To learn more about our esteemed Advisory Board, please visit our website at www.artshala.online.

We've chosen growth as our current stage at Artshala Center for Design because of the remarkable progress we've made since our inception in November 2020. From teaching over 600 paid users to reaching over 4,000 students through free training sessions, workshops, and boot camps, our impact has been profound. Our customer retention rate stands at an impressive 97%, and our net promoter score exceeds 98%, showcasing the satisfaction and loyalty of our community.

These numbers reflect not just numerical growth but also the tangible impact we've had on individuals' lives. By continuously expanding our reach and enhancing our offerings, we're able to serve more students, both paid and free, and provide them with valuable design education opportunities. This growth underscores our commitment to democratizing design learning and empowering students from diverse backgrounds to unlock their creative potential. As we continue to grow, we remain dedicated to fostering innovation, inclusivity, and excellence in design education.

• We are applying to Solve 2024 because we believe in the power of collaboration and collective action to address pressing global issues. 
• By participating in Solve, we aim to leverage the platform's resources, expertise, and network to expand our reach and impact. 
• Through collaboration, we can amplify our efforts and bring quality design education to many more students worldwide. 
• We are excited about the opportunity to join forces with like-minded organizations and individuals to make a meaningful difference in the lives of young learners everywhere.

• Our solution stands out for its innovative approach to design education, placing students at the forefront of real-world experiences and industry immersion. 
• Unlike traditional methods, our students learn directly from active design practitioners, gaining invaluable insights and practical skills from those currently shaping the industry. 
• Additionally, our curriculum integrates industry projects and visits, providing students with hands-on experience and exposure to real-world challenges and opportunities.
• At Artshala, innovation extends beyond the classroom through our Design Mentor Community, where students receive personalized guidance and mentorship from seasoned professionals. 
• Furthermore, we harness the power of artificial intelligence to enhance the learning experience, offering personalized learning paths and adaptive assessments tailored to each student's needs and learning style.
• By emphasising practical application and industry relevance, we're not just teaching design theory; we're preparing students to hit the ground running and thrive in the fast-paced, ever-evolving design landscape. 
• Our goal is to make children industry-ready, equipping them with the skills, confidence, and mindset needed to succeed in the real world from day one.

Our theory of change at Artshala Center for Design revolves around the belief that access to quality design education can transform lives and communities. 

• By providing affordable and accessible design learning programs, we empower students from all backgrounds to unlock their creative potential and develop essential skills for success. 
• Through our activities, including hands-on workshops, industry projects, and mentorship opportunities, we aim to immediately equip students with practical knowledge and experience. In the longer term, we expect these experiences to lead to outcomes such as increased confidence, critical thinking abilities, and employability among our target population. 
• Evidence supporting this theory includes testimonials from students, data on improved academic performance and career readiness, and feedback from industry partners who have witnessed the impact of our programs firsthand. 
• Overall, our theory of change is rooted in the belief that investing in design education today will yield positive outcomes for individuals, communities, and society as a whole in the future.

Our impact goals at Artshala Center for Design are centered around empowering individuals to thrive in the creative economy and fostering positive social change. Specifically, we aim to:

1. Increase access to quality design education for underserved populations globally.
2. Enhance employability and career readiness among our students, particularly those from marginalised communities.
3. Foster a culture of creativity, innovation, and social responsibility among young learners.

To measure our progress towards these goals, we utilize a range of indicators, including:

1. Enrollment rates: Tracking the number of students, especially from underserved communities, who enroll in our programs.
2. Retention rates: Monitoring the percentage of students who continue and complete their courses.
3. Employment outcomes: Assessing the percentage of graduates who secure jobs or internships in design-related fields.
4. Student satisfaction: Gathering feedback from students on their learning experiences and outcomes.
5. Community engagement: Evaluating the impact of our CSR initiatives, such as workshops and camps, on the communities we serve.
6. Long-term impact: Conducting longitudinal studies to measure the long-term effects of our programs on graduates' careers and contributions to society.

By regularly tracking these indicators and analysing the data, we ensure that our programs are making a meaningful difference in the lives of our students and communities, aligning with our mission to create transformational impact.

At Artshala Center for Design, we leverage a diverse array of technologies to power our solution and make design learning engaging, accessible, and impactful for children. 

Our core technology includes AI-driven visual design tools, which enable students to explore and experiment with design concepts in innovative ways. These tools, along with other digital platforms and materials, form the backbone of our hybrid learning model, combining online resources with hands-on activities to cater to diverse learning styles and preferences.

In addition to technology-enabled design activities, we also incorporate creative writing and prototype development into our curriculum, providing students with a holistic learning experience that fosters creativity, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills. 

By integrating these elements, we aim to make design learning not only educational but also invigorating, fun, and exciting for children, inspiring them to unleash their creative potential and become future innovators and leaders in the field of design.

Our solution team at Artshala Center for Design comprises a diverse group of individuals dedicated to our mission of democratizing design education. Currently, we have:

• Full-time staff: 5 members
• Part-time staff: 3 members
• Contractors and other workers: 4 members

Additionally, we are proud to have an ever-increasing Advisory Board, which consists of esteemed design experts, educators, and practitioners. Our Advisory Board currently consists of 12 members, including over 20 mentors who actively engage as design practitioners in their spare time. This collaborative and multidisciplinary team brings a wealth of knowledge, experience, and perspectives to our organization, driving innovation and excellence in everything we do.

• We started test runs of our curriculum in late 2018
• Launched MVP in form of workshops in 2019
• Officially launched to public in late 2020

At Artshala Center for Design, diversity, equity, and inclusion are fundamental values that guide our team culture and operations. We recognise the importance of fostering a welcoming and inclusive environment where all team members feel valued, respected, and supported.

Our leadership team reflects our commitment to diversity, with members representing a wide range of backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives. We actively seek to ensure diversity within our team, understanding that it enriches our collective creativity, innovation, and problem-solving capabilities. Our team's goals include continuously striving to become more diverse, equitable, and inclusive, not only in terms of representation but also in creating equitable opportunities for all team members to thrive and advance.

To achieve these goals, we have implemented various actions, including:

1. Implementing fair and inclusive hiring practices to attract a diverse pool of candidates.
2. Providing ongoing diversity, equity, and inclusion training and education for all team members.
3. Creating open channels for feedback and communication to address any issues or concerns related to diversity and inclusion.
4. Actively recruiting design mentors from underserved communities and the LGBTQ+ community, ensuring that our mentorship program reflects the diversity of our student body.
5. Offering equal opportunities for professional development and advancement to all team members, regardless of their background or identity.

As an equal opportunity employer, we are committed to creating a workplace where everyone feels welcomed, respected, supported, and valued. We understand that fostering diversity, equity, and inclusion is not just a moral imperative but also a strategic advantage, enabling us to better serve our students and communities and drive innovation and excellence in everything we do.