Creating a technology-driven learning experience that closes the gap between classroom and brand

Creating a technology-driven learning experience that closes the gap between classroom and brand

Creating a technology-driven learning experience that closes the gap between classroom and brand

Creating a technology-driven learning experience that closes the gap between classroom and brand

Creating a technology-driven learning experience that closes the gap between classroom and brand

Plus-Black

Brainchild Academy

Plus-yellow

Brand naming
Brand strategy

Visual identity
Technology development

Tone of voice
Publication design

Tone of voice
Publication design

Collateral and roll out 
In class activities

Brainchild_Hero

Project overview

Project overview

Project overview

Project overview

Project overview

Plus-yellow

BrainChild Academy is a community-led social enterprise founded by Australian educator Julian Lee, that teaches young students across Australia to be creators of technology, not just consumers. The enterprise provides real-world experiences and learning that is linked to the school curriculum, helping primary-school aged children develop the skills necessary to succeed in the innovation era.

BrainChild Academy is a community-led social enterprise founded by Australian educator Julian Lee, that teaches young students across Australia to be creators of technology, not just consumers. The enterprise provides real-world experiences and learning that is linked to the school curriculum, helping primary-school aged children develop the skills necessary to succeed in the innovation era.

BrainChild Academy is a community-led social enterprise founded by Australian educator Julian Lee, which teaches young students across Australia to be creators of technology, not just consumers. The enterprise provides real-world experiences and learning that is linked to the school curriculum, helping primary-school aged children develop the skills necessary to succeed in the innovation era.

BrainChild Academy is a community-led social enterprise founded by Australian educator Julian Lee, which teaches young students across Australia to be creators of technology, not just consumers. The enterprise provides real-world experiences and learning that is linked to the school curriculum, helping primary-school aged children develop the skills necessary to succeed in the innovation era.

BrainChild Academy is a community-led social enterprise founded by Australian educator Julian Lee, which teaches young students across Australia to be creators of technology, not just consumers. The enterprise provides real-world experiences and learning that is linked to the school curriculum, helping primary-school aged children develop the skills necessary to succeed in the innovation era.

The brief

The brief

Our idea

Our idea

Our idea

Julian and his small team were awarded a modest grant in 2016 to turn their local, innovative after-school program into a nationwide social enterprise. We were approached by Julian with a brief to create a brand from the ground up that would successfully launch the upscaling of his enterprise, inspiring school communities to participate in technology-led learning and creativity. The brand needed to appeal to teachers, parents, after school care organisers, school holiday camps and most importantly - the kids. As a social enterprise BrainChild relies on grants, making the brand and positioning a strong catalyst for continued funding. A percentage of profits are directed to the disadvantaged schools fund to deliver the program to schools that can’t afford to pay full price.

Julian and his small team were awarded a modest grant in 2016 to turn their local, innovative after-school program into a nationwide social enterprise. We were approached by Julian with a brief to create a brand from the ground up that would successfully launch the upscaling of his enterprise, inspiring school communities to participate in technology-led learning and creativity. The brand needed to appeal to teachers, parents, after school care organisers, school holiday camps and most importantly - the kids. As a social enterprise BrainChild relies on grants, making the brand and positioning a strong catalyst for continued funding. A percentage of profits are directed to the disadvantaged schools fund to deliver the program to schools that can’t afford to pay full price.

Our design proposition for BrainChild was to work with Julian to design a classroom experience which would provide an educational platform for children in the fields of technology and programming, whilst building the brand through the active creation of artwork and other brand assets. We designed a series of workshops and came up with a step-by-step lesson plan, which outlined teaching objectives, what students will accomplish during the course of the lesson, and what they will learn from it.

Our design proposition for BrainChild was to work with Julian to design a classroom experience which would provide an educational platform for children in the fields of technology and programming, whilst building the brand through the active creation of artwork and other brand assets. We designed a series of workshops and came up with a step-by-step lesson plan, which outlined teaching objectives, what students will accomplish during the course of the lesson, and what they will learn from it.

Our design proposition for BrainChild was to work with Julian to design a classroom experience which would provide an educational platform for children in the fields of technology and programming, whilst building the brand through the active creation of artwork and other brand assets. We designed a series of workshops and came up with a step-by-step lesson plan, which outlined teaching objectives, what students will accomplish during the course of the lesson, and what they will learn from it.

Our idea

Our idea

In-class tools

In-class tools

In-class tools

Plus-yellow

Our design proposition was to work with BrainChild Academy to design a classroom experience that would provide an educational platform for children in the fields of technology and programming, whilst building the brand through the active creation of artwork and other brand assets. We designed a series of workshops and came up with a step-by-step lesson plan, that outlined teaching objectives, what students will accomplish during the course of the lesson, and what they will learn from it.

Our design proposition was to work with BrainChild Academy to design a classroom experience that would provide an educational platform for children in the fields of technology and programming, whilst building the brand through the active creation of artwork and other brand assets. We designed a series of workshops and came up with a step-by-step lesson plan, that outlined teaching objectives, what students will accomplish during the course of the lesson, and what they will learn from it.

In keeping with BrainChild’s philosophy of development through exploration and curiosity we programmed a flexible sketchbook tool using open source software that could be used by BrainChild in the classroom. The app's simple interface generates complex patterns, colours and forms, allowing the kids in BrainChild’s classes to create one of a kind generative artworks through play-based prototyping. The resulting art is captured as vector files to be used in any form of branded collateral. The brand applications credit the child author of the art.

In keeping with BrainChild’s philosophy of development through exploration and curiosity we programmed a flexible sketchbook tool using open source software that could be used by BrainChild in the classroom. The app's simple interface generates complex patterns, colours and forms, allowing the kids in BrainChild’s classes to create one of a kind generative artworks through play-based prototyping. The resulting art is captured as vector files to be used in any form of branded collateral. The brand applications credit the child author of the art.

In keeping with BrainChild’s philosophy of development through exploration and curiosity we programmed a flexible sketchbook tool using open source software that could be used by BrainChild in the classroom. The app's simple interface generates complex patterns, colours and forms, allowing the kids in BrainChild’s classes to create one of a kind generative artworks through play-based prototyping. The resulting art is captured as vector files to be used in any form of branded collateral. The brand applications credit the child author of the art.

In-class tools

In-class tools

In-class tools

In-class tools

In-class tools

In line with the enterprise’s philosophy of development through exploration and curiosity, we created an in-class program enabling the kids to create and evolve the brand though participation in technology-led learning and creativity. The app's simple interface generates complex patterns, colours and forms, allowing the kids to create one-of-a-kind generative artworks through play-based prototyping. The resulting art is captured as vector files to be used in any form of branded collateral. The brand applications credit the child author of the art.

In line with the enterprise’s philosophy of development through exploration and curiosity, we created an in-class program enabling the kids to create and evolve the brand though participation in technology-led learning and creativity. The app's simple interface generates complex patterns, colours and forms, allowing the kids to create one-of-a-kind generative artworks through play-based prototyping. The resulting art is captured as vector files to be used in any form of branded collateral. The brand applications credit the child author of the art.

In line with the enterprise’s philosophy of development through exploration and curiosity, we created an in-class program enabling the kids to create and evolve the brand though participation in technology-led learning and creativity. The app's simple interface generates complex patterns, colours and forms, allowing the kids to create one-of-a-kind generative artworks through play-based prototyping. The resulting art is captured as vector files to be used in any form of branded collateral. The brand applications credit the child author of the art.

In line with the enterprise’s philosophy of development through exploration and curiosity, we created an in-class program enabling the kids to create and evolve the brand though participation in technology-led learning and creativity. The app's simple interface generates complex patterns, colours and forms, allowing the kids to create one-of-a-kind generative artworks through play-based prototyping. The resulting art is captured as vector files to be used in any form of branded collateral. The brand applications credit the child author of the art.

In line with the enterprise’s philosophy of development through exploration and curiosity, we created an in-class program enabling the kids to create and evolve the brand though participation in technology-led learning and creativity. The app's simple interface generates complex patterns, colours and forms, allowing the kids to create one-of-a-kind generative artworks through play-based prototyping. The resulting art is captured as vector files to be used in any form of branded collateral. The brand applications credit the child author of the art.

Brainchild_Child1
Brainchild_Child2
Brainchild_Child3
Plus-Black

Australia has stalled on international rankings of innovation. A recent report recommends that Australia needs to increase the quality and quantity of science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) taught in primary schools.

Australia has stalled on international rankings of innovation. A recent report recommends that Australia needs to increase the quality and quantity of science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) taught in primary schools.

Australia has stalled on international rankings of innovation. A recent report recommends that Australia needs to increase the quality and quantity of science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) taught in primary schools.

Australia has stalled on international rankings of innovation. A recent report recommends that Australia needs to increase the quality and quantity of science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) taught in primary schools.

A recent report recommends that Australia needs to increase the quality and quantity of science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) taught in primary schools.

- Making STEM a primary priority, Price Waterhouse Coopers, March 2016.

- Making STEM a primary priority, Price Waterhouse Coopers, March 2016.

- Making STEM a primary priority, Price Waterhouse Coopers, March 2016.

- Making STEM a primary priority, Price Waterhouse Coopers, March 2016.

- Making STEM a primary priority, Price Waterhouse Coopers, March 2016.

Brainchild_Posters
Brainchild_Spreads

Brand system

Brand system

Brand system

Brand system

Brand system

Plus-yellow

We designed a simple brand system for BrainChild which allowed for rapid and accurate production of brand applications, collateral and other content directly from the classroom. Inspired by the aesthetics of blueprints and technical plans we created easy-to-use templates, which could be customised and varied using the artworks generated by the kids in the BrainChild workshops.

We designed a simple brand system for BrainChild which allowed for rapid and accurate production of brand applications, collateral and other content directly from the classroom. Inspired by the aesthetics of blueprints and technical plans we created easy-to-use templates, which could be customised and varied using the artworks generated by the kids in the BrainChild workshops.

We designed a simple brand system for BrainChild which allowed for rapid and accurate production of brand applications, collateral and other content directly from the classroom. Inspired by the aesthetics of blueprints and technical plans we created easy-to-use templates, which could be customised and varied using the artworks generated by the kids in the BrainChild workshops.

We designed a simple brand system for BrainChild which allowed for rapid and accurate production of brand applications, collateral and other content directly from the classroom. Inspired by the aesthetics of blueprints and technical plans we created easy-to-use templates, which could be customised and varied using the artworks generated by the kids in the BrainChild workshops.

We designed a simple brand system for BrainChild which allowed for rapid and accurate production of brand applications, collateral and other content directly from the classroom. Inspired by the aesthetics of blueprints and technical plans we created easy-to-use templates, which could be customised and varied using the artworks generated by the kids in the BrainChild workshops.

Brainchild_Stationery
Plus-Black

…the brand has been created by having the kids actively involved in producing the illustrations through a specially developed program...

…the brand has been created by having the kids actively involved in producing the illustrations through a specially developed program...

…the brand has been created by having the kids actively involved in producing the illustrations through a specially developed program...

…the brand has been created by having the kids actively involved in producing the illustrations through a specially developed program...

…the brand has been created by having the kids actively involved in producing the illustrations through a specially developed program...

- Julian Lee, Brain Child Founder

- Julian Lee, Brain Child Founder

- Julian Lee, Brain Child Founder

- Julian Lee, Brain Child Founder

- Julian Lee, Brain Child Founder

Brainchild_pins
Brainchild_businesscards
Brainchild_3dobjects

Impact

Impact

Impact

Impact

Impact

Plus-yellow

Since its launch BrainChild has worked with thousands of students at schools across Australia and participated in multiple festivals and events at museums in regional and urban areas, resulting in generating thousands of brand assets, collateral and ephemera. The enterprise has inspired the Australian education community, receiving accolades and praise from parents and teachers and the press, and has unlocked untapped funding sources. 

The user experience we designed is simple, intuitive and fun, teaching children to create and understand rudimentary code. The workshop's methodology of 'Play, Research, Plan, Rebuild, Reflect, Share' consistently achieves 4 and 5 star ratings for enjoyment, learning, creativity and confidence.

Since its launch BrainChild has worked with thousands of students at schools across Australia and participated in multiple festivals and events at museums in regional and urban areas, resulting in generating thousands of brand assets, collateral and ephemera. The enterprise has inspired the Australian education community, receiving accolades and praise from parents and teachers and the press, and has unlocked untapped funding sources. 

The user experience we designed is simple, intuitive and fun, teaching children to create and understand rudimentary code. The workshop's methodology of 'Play, Research, Plan, Rebuild, Reflect, Share' consistently achieves 4 and 5 star ratings for enjoyment, learning, creativity and confidence.

Since its launch BrainChild has worked with thousands of students at schools across Australia and participated in multiple festivals and events at museums in regional and urban areas, resulting in generating thousands of brand assets, collateral and ephemera. The enterprise has inspired the Australian education community, receiving accolades and praise from parents and teachers and the press, and has unlocked untapped funding sources. 

The user experience we designed is simple, intuitive and fun, teaching children to create and understand rudimentary code. The workshop's methodology of 'Play, Research, Plan, Rebuild, Reflect, Share' consistently achieves 4 and 5 star ratings for enjoyment, learning, creativity and confidence.

Since its launch BrainChild has worked with thousands of students at schools across Australia and participated in multiple festivals and events at museums in regional and urban areas, resulting in generating thousands of brand assets, collateral and ephemera. The enterprise has inspired the Australian education community, receiving accolades and praise from parents and teachers and the press, and has unlocked untapped funding sources. 

The user experience we designed is simple, intuitive and fun, teaching children to create and understand rudimentary code. The workshop's methodology of 'Play, Research, Plan, Rebuild, Reflect, Share' consistently achieves 4 and 5 star ratings for enjoyment, learning, creativity and confidence.

Since its launch BrainChild has worked with thousands of students at schools across Australia and participated in multiple festivals and events at museums in regional and urban areas, resulting in generating thousands of brand assets, collateral and ephemera. The enterprise has inspired the Australian education community, receiving accolades and praise from parents and teachers and the press, and has unlocked untapped funding sources. 

The user experience we designed is simple, intuitive and fun, teaching children to create and understand rudimentary code. The workshop's methodology of 'Play, Research, Plan, Rebuild, Reflect, Share' consistently achieves 4 and 5 star ratings for enjoyment, learning, creativity and confidence.

Acknowledgements

Acknowledgements

Acknowledgements

Acknowledgements

Acknowledgements

Code community contributors
University of Sydney
Open Processing
codedoodl.es
Code on Canvas
Processing 3 

Code community contributors
University of Sydney
Open Processing
codedoodl.es
Code on Canvas
Processing 3 

Code community contributors
University of Sydney
Open Processing
codedoodl.es
Code on Canvas
Processing 3 

Code community contributors
University of Sydney
Open Processing
codedoodl.es
Code on Canvas
Processing 3 

Code community contributors
University of Sydney
Open Processing
codedoodl.es
Code on Canvas
Processing 3 

Developer
Processing 3
Muzi Hu

Developer
Processing 3
Muzi Hu

Developer
Processing 3
Muzi Hu

Developer
Processing 3
Muzi Hu

Developer
Processing 3
Muzi Hu

Original music
Klang

Video editor
Joseph Wong 

Awards

Awards

Awards

Awards

Awards

AGDA Awards 2017
Technological Innovation
Distinction

AGDA Awards 2017
Technological Innovation
Distinction

AGDA Awards 2017
Technological Innovation
Distinction

AGDA Awards 2017
Technological Innovation
Distinction

AGDA Awards 2017
Technological Innovation
Distinction

Best Awards 2018
User experience
Finalist

Best Awards 2018
User experience
Finalist

Best Awards 2018
User experience
Finalist

Best Awards 2018
User experience
Finalist

Best Awards 2018
User experience
Finalist

Best Awards 2018
Public good
Finalist

Best Awards 2018
Public good
Finalist

Best Awards 2018
Public good
Finalist

Best Awards 2018
Public good
Finalist

Best Awards 2018
Public good
Finalist

AGDA Awards 2017
Brand expression
Finalist

Next - Cora

Next - Cora

Next - Cora

Next - Cora

Next - Cora

Arrow-yellow-right

© Theo+Theo PTY Ltd

Plus-Black