David Jakes Designs LLC

The core purpose of a classroom has always been to create a space where students eager to learn can connect with dedicated educators. This timeless mission remains, but as the world evolves, so must our learning environments. The traditional classroom, designed for a different era, needs to be reimagined to support the learning experiences that will equip students for their future.

For over a decade, I have devoted my career to this mission, collaborating closely with educators, designers, and architects to redefine educational spaces. My work spans beyond just classrooms to include the redesign of libraries, makerspaces, and even hallways. I’ve also had the unique opportunity to design an innovation center, an entrepreneurial hub, and a STREAM facility (think STEAM plus religion!) and partner with architectural firms to support the design of entire schools.

My design philosophy is deeply rooted in my extensive experience - 15 years in the classroom and 12 years in school leadership as an instructional technologist. This foundation guides my approach to designing spaces that truly enhance the teaching and learning experience. For me, the experience is paramount, followed by the physical elements—furniture, lighting, walls, etc., that bring the design to life. This ensures that every space aligns with the school’s vision for teaching and learning.

I take pride in creating functional, innovative, adaptable, and forward-thinking learning environments. These spaces are designed to be flexible and meet a wide range of pedagogical needs for today and into the future. By reimagining learning spaces, we can create inspirational environments and extend the educational experience in meaningful ways.

I offer comprehensive design services, including support for furniture, fixtures, and equipment (FF&E), technology integration, and professional development. I can also seamlessly collaborate with your school architect, adding valuable capacity to their design efforts. Together with my architectural partner, Jason Meyering Architecture of Chicago, who specializes in educational spaces, we form a dynamic team capable of delivering exceptional designs that truly support and elevate the work you do.

Let's start a conversation if you’re considering redesigning your school spaces. I take pride in providing a responsive and professional approach that prioritizes your school’s unique needs and aspirations. Let’s work together to create environments that inspire educators and students alike. I have openings for design projects for this school year.

You can connect with me here or message me through my website at: davidjakesdesigns.com/contact. You can see more images at: davidjakesdesigns.com/gallery

Here are examples of our project work:

Developing a strategic approach to using AI in the classroom starts with asking the right questions. Here’s question 25 out of 67 from my reflective guide to successful AI integration in education. How would you respond to this provocation? hashtag

New: "Predictability in a Beta World." My take on the systems and hierarchies of education that create predictable conditions for the operation of schools, but actually serve to impede organizational growth and improvement. In the article, I make a case for design as a way to leverage unpredictability as a strategic asset.

Predictability in a Beta World — David Jakes Designs School improvement means accepting some level of unpredictability.

I'm proud to announce that my book, The Design Thinking Classroom, will launch in January 2023. The book is a practitioner's guide for reimagining classroom practice and the daily student experience by applying design thinking as part of a contemporary pedagogy.

The book also makes a case for the emergence of a new role for the classroom teacher - the educator-designer. If you want to learn more about the book, here's a link to reviews and what's inside. http://davidjakesdesigns.com/my-book

I’m proud to share the design for the Mason High School (OH) library redesign. The new space focuses on developing an educational version of a third place, with a range of spatial typologies designed to support the development of community and the school’s vision of personalized learning.

The space includes a coffeehouse/bookstore, a Work Cafe, and a Creative Commons. Associated with the three main spaces are student support concierge desks, a conferencing area, an Esports practice space, a maker area, and a high-end multimedia production facility.

The center of the space is anchored by an original piece of millwork that provides a venue for presentations, speakers, and music events that faces into the coffee shop and into the Work Cafe. The space is designed for the flexibility, agility, and adaptability needed to support a range of social-academic uses.

The design is based on my original discovery work in 2019 and focuses on an entirely new vision for the use of this space to support student agency, choice, and ownership. While the space has specific zones, we envision students using a variety of spaces on-demand to support their learning needs.

My work as an educational designer could never be this compelling without the terrific encouragement and design support from my architectural partner, Jason Meyering of Jason Meyering Architecture of Chicago, Illinois. See Jason's terrific portfolio at jasonmeyering.com.