Background:

Diversity is a problem for engineering. According to a 2020 study of Ontario High School students, 75%—80% of students who have taken at least three STEM-related classes in the last year of high school enrolled in a STEM program. Therefore, a lack of diversity can be in part attributed to STEM readiness. Although engineering is a fundamentally creative task, often this aspect is not highlighted, and many who may have developed an interest in pursuing engineering are left out. For this independent study, I have conceptualized, designed, and developed a subscription service geared towards attracting non-traditional students to engineering.

PROBLEM: 

lack of relatable content: most engineering tutorials are made by old men

lack of diversity: there is a stigma of what an engineer should look like

access: there is so much content in the world, but many people don't know where to start

SOLUTION: 

Market research:

Interviews: I was able to have in-depth interviews with seven (N=7) different parents regarding their children (N= 18). The focus of the interviews were on what the parents value in their child’s education, and how well they felt like their school prepared them.

Sample Questions: 

1. What do you think are the top 3 skills you’d like your child to learn? (more academic than social/emotional/relationship)
2. Have you purchased anything to support your child’s learning for any of these areas? (could be product, item, lesson)
3. What prompted you to purchase it? (if was something like a commercial or ad, could ask what was compelling)
4. How much involvement do you have when your child is doing this?
   
5. Do you think it is important for your child to learn coding or engineering? On a scale from 1-10 how important do you think it is?
6. Have you considered purchasing anything in this space?
7. Does their school do a good job of teaching them engineering/coding?
8. What after school activities does your child do?
9. What social media does your child consume?  
   

Testing: Tik Tok: I have posted 9 videos on Tik Tok that have 2,796 views and 56 likes. Shorter and quicker  videos received more positive feedback from users. Using trending sounds and video formats increased the number of views.

YouTube: I have posted 9 videos with 237 views. Got feedback from peers (N=10) on the format, angles, and captioning of the tutorial videos.

Instagram: Have 36 followers. Posted a variety of videos and photos.

Prototype: Initial testing with 2 peers (N=2). Received positive feedback on using videos over written instructions and on the design of the box.

The Product:

The subscription boxes and tutorials model the aesthetic of trendy make-up and clothing brands. Both the design of the box and the information is packaged in a way that is appealing and exciting to people not in tech with limited prior experience — for example artists.

I think there is value in simplicity when designing tutorials that are accessible — therefore the monthly projects will be short and simple.

The project will have a tangible outcome that the user can keep. This will be a service that ships tools and instructions for a new project every month. For example, a sample box will contain tools (Arduino, Led, Breadboard, Wires), and a QR code with a link to a video tutorial.

One of the main things in the box is a link to short, film-like tutorial that demonstrates the enclosed project. These tutorials serve as a gateway to people wanting to find more in-depth information about engineering and coding with limited background and knowledge.

Production: 

Adobe Illustrator: Each box is carefully and thoughtfully designed using Adobe Illustrator. Each card is unique and inspired by clothing and artwork.

Printmaking: I was able to use what I learned in my printmaking class to make these beautiful boxes. 

So what is next....

Let's talk!