Let’s meet the children of Through Their Eyes—Artcobell's movement to design learning environments from the perspective of students who use them every day.
Their personas will give you a first-hand perspective on how different learners perceive their surroundings. From the child who thrives when she can move to the one who needs a quiet corner to recharge, to the student who feels empowered when everything is within reach, we uncover opportunities to make environments more inclusive, more adaptable, and more inspiring when we see a classroom "through their eyes."
With this series, we invite you to imagine what education can become....
Hi! I’m Imani, I’m nine, and I love figuring things out.
If you tell me something works a certain way, I’ll probably ask, “But why?”
If you show me a problem, I’ll want to solve it.
If you give me a science experiment, I’ll want to do it twice—just to make sure.
My brain is always bouncing with ideas. Like… always.
That’s because I have ADHD, which means my thoughts run fast and sometimes in all different directions at the same time. It can be really fun—and sometimes a little frustrating—but mostly it just means I learn best when I’m moving, touching, building, testing, and exploring.
I love school, especially math and science, because I get to think big and try new things. And my classroom makes a huge difference in helping me stay focused and excited.
Here’s what learning feels like through my eyes.
MEET MY FRIENDS
If you see me rocking in my chair while I’m working… I promise I’m not trying to bother anyone.
It actually helps me focus.
My Discover Rocking Chair gives me just the right kind of movement to keep my brain steady. When my body gets the wiggles out, my mind can stay on the math problem or the experiment.
I don’t like having to sit super still. It makes my brain feel trapped.
Movement makes my brain feel alive.
I love having my own desk on casters because it moves when I need it to—toward a group for teamwork, or away from noise when I need space to think.
My desk has:
a book box so my things stay in one place
a hook for my jacket
wheels so I can rearrange it fast
a shape that gives me space without boxing me in
And the best part?
My desk can follow me.
If I’m building something, I can push it closer. If we’re doing group work, it can form a new shape with someone else’s desk. It makes learning feel like a puzzle—one I get to solve in real time.
Sometimes my brain fills up with ideas faster than I can find my pencil.
That’s why markerboard surfaces are perfect for me.
I’ll write equations.
Draw diagrams.
Sketch out ideas.
Doodle while I’m thinking.
It’s like having a giant brain-space right on the table.
When it’s time for teamwork, I like being at the organic shape tables.
They let us sit however we need—side-by-side, across, curved around each other—without feeling squeezed or stuck.
I can stand while someone else sits.
I can reach the middle for supplies.
I can spread out my work without bumping elbows.
It feels natural and energizing, not cramped or forced.
When everything gets too loud or too busy—or when my brain starts zooming too fast—I like going to the calming corner.
There’s a PeacePod there.
It feels soft and quiet.
It gives me space to relax or think or just breathe for a minute.
It’s not a punishment.
It’s a reset button.
And sometimes, I really need that.
I admit it: I lose things.
Water bottles, pencils, jackets, notebooks, ideas… all of it.
But my locker with a colored tote helps so much.
Everything I need has a home.
I know where my stuff goes.
That means I can spend more time learning and less time searching.
Organization doesn’t come naturally to me, but tools like this make it easier.
I’m determined.
I’m curious.
I’m joyful.
I’m confident.
I’m full of ideas—big ones, messy ones, brilliant ones.
I ask questions because I want to understand.
I talk fast because I’m excited.
I move because it helps me think.
And I love learning because every day feels like a new challenge I get to solve.
The right classroom setup doesn’t change who I am.
It helps me be the best version of who I already am.
This is what learning looks like through my eyes.