Staples Asia Product Division tasked us with creating concepts for products that could help teachers organize their classrooms. After consulting with the #TeacherHack's community on Twitter, we identified the top teacher hacks, including the need for an effective filing system, an improved desk organizer, and a better way to carry teaching materials to and from school.

We designed a minimalist file box organizer with a pull-out storage caddy and a canvas web strap for portability. This 43-file system includes 31-day and 12-month hanging folders, making it the complete setup for any classroom.

Our second concept was a multipurpose classroom organizer with 30 gusset pockets on one side and 30 flat pockets on the reverse, large enough to hold cell phones, water bottles, pens, and markers. The zipper storage pocket keeps the additional header cards when not in use, while the reverse flat pocket side is perfect for keeping track of attendance.

that concept lead us to design a chair pocket

banners & cards

#teacherhack - 3

Attacking the messy desk syndrome, we created a stackable pencil case with a flexible silicone lid featuring three different size holes for holding pens, pencils, and markers close at hand. The two bottom chambers provide additional storage for keeping the desk clean.

portable version for students

For the younger classrooms, we designed an apron to help teachers manage the constant flow of items they receive from their students.

Finally, we created a teacher binder and expandable file-carrying case for those who prefer creating their own teacher planner. The binder is a weekly tickler system with file folder tabs, while the carrying case is expandable for each day of the week and includes a modern nylon adjustable strap for easy carrying.

For the final concept, we created a planner cover that catered to teachers who preferred using a branded teacher planner. The cover was designed to fit perfectly over standard teacher planners, offering protection, and included several pockets for storing post-it notes, pens, and pencils. With this planner cover, teachers could easily keep all their essential tools in one place, making planning and grading a breeze.

This is a snapshot of the presentation that was presented.

It was a pleasure designing products to accommodate the needs of today's teachers so they can better educate future leaders.