As part of our series profiling graduating seniors, we’re highlighting Braden Graves ’25, Visual Studies, whose work reimagines how children learn through the power of play. With a passion for creating meaningful, interactive experiences for young audiences, Graves has spent his time at Ringling College of Art and Design crafting toys and exhibits that blend curiosity, education, and joy. His senior capstone—a colorful, hands-on exhibit introducing preschoolers to the world of bees—showcases not only his technical skill but also a deep understanding of early childhood development. On view next month as part of the senior thesis exhibits, the project reflects a thoughtful, research-driven approach to making learning more accessible, engaging, and above all, fun. At the heart of it all is a simple guiding question: How can we make learning feel like play?
Graves’ playful projects are thoughtfully made for a targeted audience. He designs play-based experiences for children, primarily toys and educational exhibits, all informed by his research on child development and fabrication. His practice combines digital modeling with hands-on fabrication, working with materials like wood, fabric, and 3D printing. His work prioritizes safety and accessibility, including checks for ADA compliance, appropriate clearances, and the use of safe materials. “I love designing experiences for children because the work is just so endearing. The projects are fun, unpredictable, and often filled with genuine people who deeply care about what they do,” Graves shared.
Visual Studies faculty member Marina Shaltout described his detail-oriented approach to his projects: “For his thesis project, Braden created an interactive, educational children’s exhibit about bees and their importance in our ecosystem. He used traditional and digital sculpture techniques to build this complex and impressive structure. He paid attention to every little detail to make this a truly fun and engaging experience for children.” She said, “I have had him in three classes now, and he always shows up with a positive attitude and a wonderful work ethic.”
After graduation, Graves would like to find a specialty educator role that allows him to contribute his design background to curriculum planning for children or a career working in children’s exhibition design. He explained his love and interest in designing for children:
“Children approach the world with a natural willingness to learn. Creating for this audience is an especially creative challenge. You have to find ways to keep a child engaged while meeting the learning goals of a space.” He explains, “Interactive elements invite visitors to actively participate in the learning process, and as the designer, you have the ability to shape what a visitor sees, hears, and touches the moment they enter.”
His approach to his projects is goal-oriented, with the needs of children and their user experience in mind. As he puts it, “Learning can sometimes feel intimidating, but if children step into a space that encourages them to explore, they are more likely to connect with the content in a lasting, meaningful way.”
Graves’ Bee Interactive Exhibit for Children will be on view in the Stulberg Gallery from May 2 to 9 as part of the 2025 Annual Senior Thesis Exhibitions. The interactive exhibit is designed to introduce 3-5-year-olds to the world of bees through hands-on experiences like puzzles for sorting bee types, mazes that trace a bee’s flight path, and a honeycomb model.
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