Kiara Ishwarlall

Design Research / Case study

Blanket Stories

I contributed the illustrated blanket concept, art direction and visual storytelling to a collaborative literacy proposal, connecting shared reading with objects families could use together.

Role
Art direction & concept development
Institution
IIE Vega
Project
2024
Context
Collaborative academic project
In this case study
Blanket Stories: the illustrated blanket, reusable bag and companion storybook, presented together.View artwork
AI assisted concept presentation · 2026 refinement of the 2024 Team UpLit project.

This presentation brings the original blanket, packaging and storybook into one view. It refines materials, light and composition; it is not a photograph of a manufactured set. The original artwork below and the project PDF remain the design reference. See the original design.

Original project excerpts

16 pages · PDF · 4.6 MB · Selected academic pages

Read the PDF : Original project excerpts (opens in a new tab)

The design question.

Explore how design could help caregivers take a more active role in children’s literacy, connecting learning at school with familiar activities at home.

My contribution and the project context.

Art direction, concept development, illustration and presentation structure; contribution to the case study video’s animation and storytelling.

An academic project by Team UpLit at IIE Vega. Kiara worked with Yolisa Mbongo, Nandipha Benya and Luleka Lunga Nothando Mtshali. The wider identity, murals and campaign materials were developed collaboratively.

From research to a considered proposal.

Begin with everyday learning

The team brought together small exploratory probes and secondary research around reading habits, family participation and language. The design opportunity centred on making storytelling part of an activity that caregivers and children could share.

Turn the idea into an interaction

Kiara proposed Blanket Stories: a blanket carrying illustrations and story prompts, accompanied by beads and simple activities. Early sketches explored how a useful household object could become a prompt for conversation, memory and play.

Use critique to make the journey clearer

Feedback questioned how families would use the blanket, who would lead the story, and how the supporting pieces connected. The team refined the school to home journey, moved instructions into separate inserts and made the shared caregiver and child activity more explicit.

Build a coherent family of pieces

The final presentation connects illustrated blanket designs with patterned backs, reusable packaging, activity instructions and a reward storybook. The cheetah and lion examples show the visual language carrying across different formats.

Development and supporting evidence.

Original cheetah blanket artwork: illustrated front and patterned reverse.View artwork
Original cheetah blanket artwork: illustrated front and patterned reverse.
Kiara’s early blanket sketches explore the relationship between illustration, text and the physical object.View artwork
Kiara’s early blanket sketches explore the relationship between illustration, text and the physical object.
The lion story extends the visual system to a second blanket design.View artwork
The lion story extends the visual system to a second blanket design.
A companion instruction diagram links the beading activity to elements of the illustrated story.View artwork
A companion instruction diagram links the beading activity to elements of the illustrated story.
Reusable packaging concept from the final group presentation.View artwork
Reusable packaging concept from the final group presentation.
Storybook mockup carrying the lion illustration into a companion reading piece.View artwork
Storybook mockup carrying the lion illustration into a companion reading piece.

The outcome and the next step.

A completed academic presentation and connected set of design prototypes, developed through concept exploration, illustration and critique. Programme rollout and literacy outcomes were outside this project. A useful next step would be to evaluate the instructions and story sequence with caregivers and children, including how the separate activities work together.

Skills in practice

  • Concept development
  • Art direction
  • Illustration
  • Design iteration
  • Collaborative design
  • Presentation design

Continue exploring

All design research Selected Work Discuss a project

Artwork

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