Juanita Franks

Born with bilateral club feet, I grew up finding creative ways to adapt. Those early challenges shaped my thinking and continue to inspire me to design with empathy, purpose, and care. I’ve been designing since I was seven, sketching, building, and exploring how to bring ideas to life. I’ve always loved creating things that bring joy and ease to others. My faith has deeply shaped my path. As a Christian, I’ve always seen design woven into the world around me. Since my Father is a designer, I’ve always felt called to follow in His footsteps.

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The Four Essential Pillars for Design Excellence

The four essential pillars encompass human-centric design approach and the understanding of full-bodied, three dimensional physical interaction of user, product and environment. The projects generate innovative solutions using research-driven, evidence-based designs which focus on the user experience.

The Hive design empowers children to play, explore and grow at their own pace

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Children engage through movement while caregivers personalize the experience through an app

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Enhancement of Human Lifestyle

Designed for children aged 6 to 8 with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), The Hive promotes physical activity through a sensory-friendly, supportive environment.

Many children on the spectrum face sensory overload, motor challenges, or social barriers that make play overwhelming. These struggles can impact both mental and physical health over time. The Hive provides a calming space that encourages movement, self-regulation, and exploration, helping children build healthy habits and experience joy through play, all at their own pace.

Users can arrange the Hive's floor tiles to create a personalized layout

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Tile brightness, colour and sound can be adjusted through the Hive app

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Tiles connect securely through embedded magnets for easy assembly

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Human-Interaction & User-Centric Design

Designed to adapt to each child’s needs, The Hive encourages interaction through sensory feedback, movement, and playful exploration.

Children can engage in their own way—through the rocking seat, textured tiles, or calming lights. A connected app allows caregivers and Educative Assistants to adjust lighting and sound based on sensory preferences. The modular layout and magnetic tiles make it easy to reconfigure, repair, or expand the system as needed, allowing it to evolve alongside the child’s development.

Slide and twist safety lock secures the Hive seat, preventing wnanted movement while children play

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Protective cover on the Hive seat prevents finger injuries, keeping hands away from the internal spring

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Ergonomics & Human Factors Design

The Hive is designed to support how children move, sit, and explore.

The low seat and built-in handles help kids climb on independently while feeling secure. For safety, the spring is covered with a flexible rubber sleeve, and a two-step locking system (slide and twist) keeps the seat in place when needed. The modular Balance Wave includes a subtle side indent for easy removal. Every detail supports comfort, safety, and an independent sensory-rich experience.

Replace or maintain bearings without replacing the system

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Each component can be removed, repaired or replaced for long-term durability

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Velcro secured fabric makes cleaning and replacing parts simple

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Sustainability & Social Responsibility

The Hive is designed for long-term durability and easy repair.

Made from HDPE plastic, it withstands everyday use while staying low maintenance. Tactile tiles use Velcro-backed fabric, allowing surfaces to be cleaned or replaced without discarding the whole tile. Components like the rubber silicone sleeve and modular parts are fully replaceable, extending the product’s life. This approach reduces waste and supports sustainable play, prioritizing both the child’s well-being and a more thoughtful, environmentally conscious design.

Project Summary

Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) often face sensory sensitivities, motor challenges, and social barriers that make physical activity overwhelming. These struggles can limit movement, delay development, and impact mental well-being over time. While some inclusive practices exist, many physical environments still fall short in meeting the diverse needs of children on the spectrum. This thesis explores how thoughtful, user-centered design can create safe, engaging spaces that support emotional regulation, encourage active play, and promote confidence. By focusing on real experiences and challenges, the goal is to design with empathy—empowering every child to move, explore, and thrive on their own terms.

Thesis Summary Motion Presentation

See how The Hive creates a world that adapts to each child, supporting their unique sensory, emotional, and physical needs through real-time personalization by caregivers.