Major Project
The Montessori Box [Read more]
The form and main packaging
This is the packaging and form of The Montessori Box. The packaging of the box has a minimalasitic aesthetic much like what is followed in Montessori, so as not to over stimulate or distract the child’s senses. The line on the cover symbolises the concept of continuous and life-long learning which is an important principle of Montessori. It is put on the first letter of "Montessori" to symbolise that it is the first element. The box itself is an element of the experience. The inside flap has a quote by Dr. Montessori that the parent will see when they open the box.
Component packaging
The component packaging maintains the same aesthetic design elements of the main box. The line symbolising life-long learning is placed on the letter corresponding to the number of the component. The Concept Cards are the third element after the Instructions and therefore the line has been placed on the third letter of "Concept" to depict this progression.
Concept Cards & Activity Cards
The Concept Cards are designed to educate parents about the various principles of Montessori. Based on the Montessori material called the Classified Cards, parents are encouraged to lay out the cards and spend time trying to understand the illustration and the concept that is portrayed. This fosters independent thinking and enables parents to practice what their child would in a Montessori environment. Parents can then turn the card over and read the information at the back.
The Activity Cards provide a means for parents to bring Montessori practices into their home. The cards contain instructions for simple activities that children can do at home. The cards are colour coded, with each colour activity developing a certain skill. The green cards are to develop the sensorial capabilities of the child while the red cards develop their motor skills and hand-eye coordination. The Activity Cards engage both the parent and the child and parents can witness the learning and development of skills first-hand.
Concept Card - Sensitive Period for Language
This is an example of one of the Concept Cards. Children go through various stages of development known as Sensitive Periods, where their need for a certain aspect is heightened. This particular Concept Card deals with the Sensitive Period for Language. During this period children are eager to learn how to read. The illustration depicts this period of development and also provides parents with information about the same.
Concept Card - Freedom
This is an example of one of the Concept Cards. Freedom is an important principle of the Montessori pedagogy. Children are given the freedom to learn at their own pace and to construct meaning through exploration. But even in a Montessori environment there are boundaries. This illustration depicts this concept of Freedom.
Personal Experience Booklet
The Personal Experience Booklet is a collection of memories and experiences from my own time in a Montessori school. Having been in a Montessori school for over eight years, through conversations with parents I have found that they are always curious about the child's own feelings and journey through Montessori. This provides parents with my perspective and journey through Montessori.
Personal Experience Booklet - Surviving Camping
This is a spread from the Personal Experience Booklet. This particular memory is of a boating incident during a camping trip when I was in the Montessori school and how it taught me about teamwork and collaboration, which are elements that are constantly stressed on in a Montessori environment.
Feedback form
Parents are encouraged to provide feedback for improvement of the overall product. The feedback form is interactive and has an element for the child as well. While space has been provided for parents to write their opinions, they can also instruct their child to stick an appropriate emoji sticker based on what they feel.
Rhea Charles
A product aimed at creating awareness about Montessori and informing parents about all its principles.
My name is Rhea Charles and I am a graphic designer aspiring to make a career in the advertising industry. I have a passion for producing interactive graphic solutions for real social issues. Keeping the target audience at the centre of my process I enjoy exploring new ways of engaging my audience and strive to make my designs concept oriented and serve a particular purpose.
My project is based on the Montessori Pedagogy, which is an educational system that focuses on the wholistic development of a child. The child is encouraged to learn through physical teaching aids known as “Montessori materials”. These materials are the inspiration for this project. According to various studies conducted, it was found that parents do not understand the system and its principles, as a result they find it hard to support the learning of their child. This helped establish the target audience of my project as well as understand the consumer need.
The Montessori Box is a product aimed at creating awareness and educating parents about the Montessori Pedagogy. It comprises of three unique elements that serve distinct purposes –
1. The Concept Cards – Illustration of a Montessori principle with supporting information at the back.
2. The Activity Cards – Simple Montessori activity ideas that parents can do with their children (3-4 years of age).
3. The Personal Experience Booklet – Illustrations of my own experiences with Montessori supported by written content.
The Montessori Box is an interactive product that creates a memorable experience through the combination of the three components. Parents are encouraged to lay out the Concept Cards and try to comprehend the illustration before turning it over for the information. In this way, parents practice Montessori as their child would. Similar in form to a Montessori material box, this product forms a physical analogy that employs tangibility and engages both the parent and the child through the use of the Activity Cards, while the Experience Booklet provides a student perspective. The primary medium of construction is thick card stock as a result, production is easy, inexpensive and most importantly sustainable.
Major Project
The Montessori Box
Awards
Academic Excellence Scholarship
Awarded by Loughborough University for the duration of Master's study (2019-2020)
In recognition of excellent, past academic performance.