Once Upon Our
Time Capsule
DePaul University partnered with the Chicago Public Library and Once Upon Our Time Capsule (OUOTC)— a nonprofit aimed at giving children space to voice their experiences post pandemic in an effort to protect youth mental health. We were tasked with creating an experience for children to be able to share their stories and discover the stories of their peers through yearly themes. Our job was develop a prototype for a time capsule station that enables youth to express themselves and share their stories.
Role
Team Leader
Time
September 2023 - November 2023
“Your station was my favorite—
don't tell anyone”
— Anonymous Child
What’s The Problem?
How might we prevent mental health issues in children and promote positive self-image and self-worth in a way that supports the children, but still ensures OUATC’s process is followed for best results?
Key Issues
Inconsistant Submissions
People would often take Time Capsul kits home but wouldnt submit the required material, or the submissions were inconsistent with each other.
Limited Reach
OUATC hoped to expand to a more national level so our solution had to incorporate that.
Teacher Workload
Teachers often have multiple kids to take care of and may find it difficult to divert all their attention on one student for the duration of recording and submitting.
Our Solution
We designed a fully mobile, collapsible “Time Capsule Museum” that could be set up and packed away in minutes. Rather than relying on teachers to manage recordings or coordinate participation, OUATC staff and volunteers would run the experience as a school-wide event.
The capsule would grow with every school visit—each child’s contribution becoming part of a growing archive of collective experience and self-expression.
Ideation
Early Ideas:
A slideshow projection of past submissions to build excitement and continuity
A simple transportable kit system for easier classroom integration
Sound-proof recording booths to allow students to document their thoughts and submit immediately
Modular, collapsible display units that could travel between schools
All components would collapsible and easy to transport. A projector would display a slideshow of past student work, while shelving held kits and supplies. Students could view the slideshow, gather materials, and complete their kits at central workstations. Once finished, an OUATC staff member would handle and upload their recording. After each event, new submissions would be added to the slideshow. The entire setup could be packed into a van within minutes, making it efficient and fully mobile.
Iteration & Testing
We replaced the original projector idea early on, wanting for a physical display to make the experience more engaging. Instead of a slideshow, kids could hang up the photos we would take of their artwork inside the capsule or just go in and view the work of their peers.
After testing, we made the creative stations less structured to give students more choice to engage with whatever station drew them in most and work in whatever order they wanted. OUATC staff and volunteers would be available for support at every step, should the children want or need them. We also gave kids the option to be recorded by an adult or record themselves, depending on age—prioritizing autonomy and creating a more immersive, kid-driven experience.
During testing, we set up three art stations, a prototype recording booth, and a mock-up of the Time Capsule. From student feedback, we identified three key takeaways:
Kids appreciated having multiple stations and the freedom to choose their preferred art activity.
They were split on recording preferences—some wanted to record themselves, others preferred adult support.
Several students expressed a preference for displaying their actual artwork rather than a photo of it.
