Taking DIY to the Classroom: The Abstract Bookshelf Project with the Sparkling Mindz School

Abstract

The Abstract Bookshelf Project, conducted at Sparkling Mindz School in Mumbai, India, explores the intersection of abstract art and functional design in a classroom setting. Led by student artist Sophia Park, this initiative engaged students in a hands-on workshop that combined creative art-making with a practical furniture design inspired by IKEA’s DIY business model. The project consisted of two phases: first, allowing silent observation of each student’s abstract interpretation through collaborative drawing, and second, transforming those abstract designs into functional 3D-modeled furniture, which is, in this case, a bookshelf. Through this experimental workshop, the goal is to measure the optimized flow state of the students while also promoting sustainability through minimalist design principles: a blueprint for integrating art and design into education worldwide. This approach will highlight the benefits of experience-based learning and propose a shift towards a more progressive, community-oriented educational environment.