The didactic system was developed after extensive research on the topic and its limitations, following both research papers and interviews with education professionals/students. Through these, a system would be developed, in which each limitation was answered with a specific solution attributed to the manuals, whether that be a visual or characteristic one.
For example, some of the biggest limitations recorded for the learning of these non-creative skills, were that there are certain, more complex, problem-framing skills that experienced professionals have trouble teaching to new designers, and so these are often learned through negative experiences and trial and error. Our solution for this was content-based, choosing specific cases from our reference designers' and interviewee's careers that would teach the most valuable lessons to young designers. Or that one of the main limitations for the user is in processes and strategies, so the books were written with this as the main focus. We read over 10 books for this, collectively, and each manual was focused on the relevant insights that each book offered for that particular part of the process. The three volumes making up this "process" were ultimately divided into: El Vínculo (The Bond), El Lenguaje Creativo (The Creative Language) & La Trascendencia (The Transcendence).
Interviews were the foundation of the initial research that led to learning about the problem and user we were designing for. This process took 4 months from initial research to the final presentation of the printed manuals and their full digitalization.
We worked with multiple professors, design professionals, an editor, and a lawyer to make our vision possible.
As processes often do, designing the visuals began after Eva's main concepts were finalized and an overarching one was chosen. From these, all the details and visual elements started to come together. This was merged with the didactic and content-based research that analyzed more deeply how this object would work, its specific purpose, and its market placement.
The design & digital connection was a response to an audience with a shorter attention span and in search of much more immediate solutions. Impostor syndrome is a big limitation for new designers, so the tone in which the content was written was chosen to be reassuring, so the designer knows that it's normal to not know a lot of these things, offering confidence and inspiring growth. These some of the examples on how the system was designed, but every decision was research-based, and later approved by education professionals.
Similar methods were used for the communication throughout the project launch and the world-building of the brand, from copies to social media, as well as the analysis of global 2025 consumer trends. All the written content follows a narrative system that seeks to begin in creating urgency and to end in inspiring to move forward, as well as reuse the manual. Activities offer reflective, hands-on excercises that personalize the designer's learning.
The AI system, as for the rest of the project, was designed to fit into a maintenance budget & business model. The AI system was managed to be developed in only two days and within budget through the use of Discourse, Open AI, and Framer Free, planned to be later coded on Flarum/hosting to cut business costs. This would achieve a very innovative platform for local designers that would manage to keep the business profitable. Merch & social media were also designed.
It was sent to be printed at Groppe Libros in Guadalajara and then its edges hand painted by the design team. The clear case was produced separately locally. Production and design time was extremely limited by research & writing, but it was made possible.
