Canvas Coders: Unleash your creativity through art and code

Canvas Coders Logo
Canvas Coders learning tracks
What makes Canvas Coders different
Canvas Coders pay-what-you-can business model
Canvas Coders Community Projects
Canvas NFT Gallery

Inspiration

At Canvas Coders, our inspiration comes from a deep desire to make art and STEAM education accessible and affordable for all. We believe that everyone should have the opportunity to learn and grow in a supportive community, and our platform is designed to empower learners of all backgrounds to unlock their full potential. With interactive courses, personalized NFTs, and a focus on collaboration and creativity, we're dedicated to helping learners discover the joy of lifelong learning.

Studies show that only 30% of high schools in the US offer computer science courses, leaving many students without access to critical technical skills. Furthermore, the cost of higher education continues to rise, creating barriers for individuals to pursue creative and technical fields.

Our platform aims to bridge this gap by offering interactive and personalized courses that can be accessed from anywhere at an affordable price point. We believe that everyone should have the opportunity to pursue their passion for art and technology, and we're committed to making this a reality through Canvas Coders.

Problem we are tackling

The need for affordable and accessible education in ART + STEAM is crucial in today's world, as more and more industries incorporate technology and innovation into their operations. According to a report by the National Science Board, the demand for STEM jobs is expected to grow by 8.8% from 2018 to 2028, compared to 5.0% for non-STEM jobs. However, students from low-income families, underrepresented minorities, and rural areas are less likely to pursue STEM fields due to limited access to resources and opportunities.

According to a survey by Adobe, 71% of educators believe that creativity should be taught as a subject, but only 32% feel that their current curriculum adequately supports creativity. According to the National Endowment for the Arts, students from low-income families have significantly less access to arts education than their higher-income peers, with only 28% of students in low-income areas receiving any form of arts education. Additionally, a report from Burning Glass Technologies found that job postings requiring STEAM skills grew 67% faster than those that did not.

Solution we are offering

At Canvas Coders, we aim to address these challenges by providing an affordable and accessible learning platform that combines ART + STEAM education with personalized and interactive programs. Through our platform, learners can explore emerging technologies and develop their creativity and technical skills in a supportive and collaborative community. Our NFT gallery feature allows learners to showcase their completed art and code pieces, encouraging engagement and recognition among peers.

What it does

Canvas Coders offers interactive courses in art and coding, enabling early learners to discover and adopt the tools needed to become lifelong learners of ART + STEAM. With personalized NFTs and a social community, learners can showcase their completed art and code pieces on a "bulletin board" similar to an art gallery. Designed for young adults aged 18-32 with a passion for learning and curiosity for emerging technology, Canvas Coders is accessible, and affordable, and promotes collaboration and knowledge-sharing. Join us on our mission to make art and coding education more accessible for all.

How we built it

Owl for NFT issuing
React + Next for web framework
Github + Vercel for CI/CD for versioning and web hosting
Checkly for Quality Control
Codesandbox for the collaborative editor
p5.js for generative art rendering
tbd on screen recording and playback

Challenges we ran into

During the development of Canvas Coders, we faced several challenges. One of the main challenges was creating a platform that balances technical and creative aspects of art and coding. Additionally, we had to ensure that the platform is user-friendly for young adults who may have varying levels of experience with technology. Despite these challenges, we were able to overcome them by conducting user testing and receiving feedback from beta testers to ensure we are meeting their needs.

Accomplishments that we're proud of

Creating a personalized and engaging learning experience for learners interested in art and coding.
Developing a peer programming feature that fosters collaboration and community building.
Implementing a pay-what-you-can business model to make art and STEAM education more accessible and affordable.
Launching a community gallery showcase to give learners a platform to display and celebrate their completed art and code pieces.
Growing the personalized NFT feature, which allows learners to track and showcase their progress uniquely and creatively.
Building a diverse and inclusive community of learners who are passionate about art and coding.

What we learned

As a team, we learned the importance of user research and feedback in shaping the development of a digital learning platform. We also learned the value of forming a good plan, and aligning on goals and deliverables upfront to work most efficiently and best leverage everyone's strengths to bring the solution and deliverable together. We also gained valuable experience in collaborating remotely and utilizing agile development methodologies to stay on track and iterate quickly. Additionally, we deepened our understanding of the intersection of art and technology and the potential for creative expression through coding.

Canvas Coder's Mission

We're on a mission to make art and STEAM education more accessible and affordable for everyone. Through our interactive and personalized digital learning experience, we want to help early learners discover the tools they need to become lifelong learners of art and emerging technology. We believe that everyone should have the opportunity to explore their creativity and pursue their passions, regardless of their background or financial situation.

What's next for Canvas Coders: Unleash your creativity through art and code

Canvas Coders plans to continue expanding its offerings and providing a personalized learning experience that helps early learners discover and adopt the tools to become lifelong learners of ART + STEAM. In the future, we hope to partner with schools and community centers to provide access to our platform to those who may not have the means to afford traditional art and coding education. We also plan to integrate emerging technologies such as virtual and augmented reality to provide an even more immersive learning experience.

On the technical side, we plan to continue to build with Owl Protocol and explore integrations with other Web 3 Tools, such as Lit Protocol for gated content based on NFTs held by users.