Creative Augmentation
Designing Expressive Arts Workshops for Families Using AI Tools
Abstract
This design case describes two iterations of Hi, Oki Pie, an online expressive arts workshop for families with children ages 4 to 8. The sessions combined tactile materials, storytelling, and AI tools to support joint engagement for families. Each workshop was structured around the heart-shaped character Oki Pie, as a symbol of gratitude. Families engaged with AI tools, including custom GPTs developed using Playlab and ChatGPT, Brickit, Animated Drawings, and Drawalive. The first iteration focused on structured whereas the second offered more semi-structured activities. Families responded positively to learning new tools, creative freedom, and mixing technology with tangible materials. This case outlines design decisions related to tool selection, activity flow, and balancing technology with hands-on play. Iteration changes were based on participant feedback and facilitator observations. Insights from this case will inform future offerings of expressive arts workshops for families of young children.
APA Citation
Tiwari, S. (2025). Designing Expressive Arts Workshops for Families Using AI Tools. International Journal of Designs for Learning, 16(2), 194–204. https://doi.org/10.14434/ijdl.v16i2.42188
Key Quote about Creative Augmentation
“Overall, my design decisions regarding sequence of activities were guided by the intention of creative augmentation rather than creative replacement—I wanted the AI tools to assist with only some parts of the creative process for families that built on their original ideas. This design for a symbiotic human-machine relationship was inspired by prior research on intelligence augmentation (Zhou et al., 2021) and implemented in the workshop by having families participate in a general creative activity first and enhance it later with AI tools, as opposed to replacing the whole creative experience with AI-generated content.”
Award
This research won “Outstanding Design Case Award” by American Educational Research Association Design and Technology SIG!
I’m grateful for this award because:
In an ocean of word-salad theoretical publications without direct engagement with children & families, I appreciate that the creative activities and human connections of this study were SEEN by AERA
I love that there is room for alt-academics like me with interdisciplinary skills in design, education, and research
The joy of developing this case has given me more clarity about what I want to do next: more blending of design, technology, research, and community building through creative workshops!
Thanks team International Journal of Designs for Learning (IJDL), Elizabeth Boling, Ahmed Lachheb, Victoria Abramenka-Lachheb for holding space for designers who serve learning in creative ways!
