Iron Education, Teaching Aid and Training Content Design · 2025
Commi Board Prototyping Tool
by Kevin Yang
- A' Design Award 2025 Iron Winner in Education, Teaching Aid and Training Content Design
- Awarded April 15, 2025
- CLIENT: Royal College of Art
- Estimated Number of Design Views: 24,325
- Verification code C0339545E1 · Verify this award
About Commi Board Prototyping Tool
Commi Board is a modular, app-integrated prototyping platform that connects theoretical learning with real-world application. Designed for educators, students, and tech enthusiasts, it enables users to simulate microcontroller functions on smart devices. With a staged learning roadmap, community-driven app, and flexible modular design, Commi Board simplifies prototyping and makes electronic experimentation more accessible.
Kevin Yang's Prototyping Tool represents a thoughtful contribution to contemporary educational technology design, positioning itself within the expanding tradition of hands-on STEM learning aids that bridge abstract computational concepts with tangible physical interaction, a pedagogical approach gaining increasing recognition for its effectiveness in making electronics and programming accessible to learners across diverse backgrounds and skill levels; the compositional achievement of this teaching aid lies in its successful integration of functional necessity with visual clarity, the regular perforated matrix establishing both structural logic for component insertion and a rhythmic visual field that communicates systematic organization without overwhelming cognitive load, while the vibrant orange frame serves dual purposes as protective boundary and attention-directing device that naturally guides learner focus toward the central workspace and display area; the chromatic sophistication appears in the restrained palette that balances warm approachable tones suggesting creativity and exploration with neutral technical grays evoking precision and systematic thinking, the orange-red hue specifically selected perhaps for its associations with energy, enthusiasm, and accessibility while maintaining sufficient contrast against both the neutral substrate and the black display elements; the technical facility evident in the design includes the careful consideration of scale creating genuine portability and smartphone familiarity that reduces intimidation barriers common in traditional electronics education, the thoughtful component organization that creates visual logic supporting learning progression, and the integration of immediate feedback through the display screen enabling learners to witness computational results in real-time rather than requiring external verification devices; passages of particular accomplishment include the interface between the perforated breadboard surface and the overlaying orange frame where precise dimensional relationships create both functional alignment for component placement and aesthetic satisfaction through geometric harmony, and the strategic positioning of the three circular buttons and various connection ports that establish clear interaction affordances while maintaining visual balance across the lower register; thematically, the work appears to explore the democratization of technical knowledge, celebrating the moment when abstract computational thinking becomes concrete and manipulable through physical components, the iconic "HELLO WORLD" text serving as both literal programming tradition and metaphorical greeting extending welcome into communities of practice around making, coding, and creative technology use; the design seems to invite consideration of learning as embodied experience rather than purely abstract cognition, suggesting that understanding emerges through the tactile engagement of inserting components, the visual feedback of illuminated displays, and the satisfying closure of completing functional circuits that bridge intention and outcome; one might observe how this teaching aid positions itself at the intersection of traditional breadboard electronics and contemporary mobile computing interfaces, potentially asking viewers to contemplate how educational tools can honor established pedagogical approaches while embracing portability, immediate feedback, and user-centered design principles that meet contemporary learners within their existing technological comfort zones.
Press Kit
- Unique Properties
- Commi board is a modular, app-integrated prototyping platform that connects electronic knowledge with practical implementation. Unlike traditional tools, it allows users to simulate microcontroller functions directly on their smartphone, making prototyping more accessible, interactive, and efficient. With real-time circuit testing, AI-driven coding, and a structured, step-by-step educational experience, commi board supports users of all skill levels to prototype faster, experiment freely, and bring ideas to life with ease.
- Dimensions & Packaging
- Commi Board (Installed): 62mm W x 98mm L x 18mm H
Commi Board (Detached Board): 62mm W x 82mm L x 8mm H - Tags
- Education tools, Prototyping, Breadboard, Neuro-linguistic programming
- Production Technology
- Commi Board contains PCB design, IoT frameworks, and USB-C 3.2, BLE, and Bluetooth protocols all for efficient GPIO communication with smart devices. By utilizing mobile-based computational power, it can simulates most microcontrollers. It supports four programming methods: AI-driven NLP, puzzle-like visual programming, Scratch-like visual programming, and a full IDE. The app features a project community, online libraries for components, and cloud-based project loading, ensuring high performance and accessibility.
- Design Challenge
- The biggest challenge in developing Commi Board was simplifying PCB design while ensuring reliable GPIO communication. Creating a compact, modular PCB integrating USB-C, BLE, and Bluetooth from scratch required multiple iterations. Limited access to PCB SMT also posed obstacles. The first theoretical prototype revealed instability and contain issues. While Bluetooth and USB-C connections were tested, the API-to-software integration remains in the mock-up stage, guiding future development.
- Project Duration
- The project started in June 2024 as a student project at Royal College of Art, London, UK.
- Operation Flow
- Commi Board simplifies electronics prototyping by allowing users to design, test, and run circuits directly on the back of their smartphone. Users place components on the board, connect via USB-C or Bluetooth, and interact through the mobile app. They can program using AI-assisted coding, visual blocks, or a full IDE. Real-time feedback and visual placement guide to help each step. With cloud storage and a project-sharing community, Commi Board learns and loads projects with ease.
- Research
- Commi Board's research focused on human-centered design and accessibility in electronics prototyping. The goal was to create a mobile-first tool that simplifies PCB schematics and testing. Through BOM list comparison and my cohort’s need for easier prototyping, we found GPIO communication to be a cost-effective alternative to high-power microcontrollers. Usability tests and expert feedback shaped development, while open-source resources enabled the first theoretical PCB prototype. Results combined the needs for AI-assisted prototyping, electronic education, and DIY prototyping.
- Inspiration
- Commi Board was designed by the need to make electronics prototyping more accessible and interactive. Inspired visual programming, staged education, and AI-based neuro-linguistic programming, it simplifies theoretical learning with real-world application. As mobile devices are the most accessible platform for coding, Commi Board enhances prototyping by allowing users to test circuits and validate code in real-time on their phone, ensuring a hands-on, customizable experience for all skill levels.
Colors of Commi Board Prototyping Tool
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Grand Interview about Commi Board Prototyping Tool
The AI-driven neuro-linguistic programming in Commi Board allows users to interact with the platform using natural language, making electronics prototyping more intuitive. Beginners can describe what they want to build without coding knowledge, while advanced users benefit from faster, more flexible workflows. This feature personalizes the learning experience, aligns with Commi's staged education model, and makes prototyping more accessible across all skill levels.
The idea to make Commi Board mobile-first came from seeing how central smartphones have become in everyday life, especially for students and hobbyists. Traditional prototyping tools can be bulky, expensive, and difficult to set up. In contrast, smartphones are portable, easy to use, and already in people’s hands. By using them as the core of the prototyping experience, we made it possible to turn theory into practice anytime, anywhere.Smartphones also have much more processing power than basic microcontrollers, which allows Commi Board to run real-time simulations, give instant feedback, and support AI-assisted programming. This means users can design, test, and learn more efficiently—without needing extra equipment. It makes electronics more approachable, more interactive, and more fun for learners of all levels.
Simplifying PCB design while ensuring reliable GPIO communication was one of the toughest parts of building Commi Board. As a solo designer, I had to approach it step by step—focusing on modular design, minimizing complexity, and using only essential, cost-effective components. I relied heavily on open-source resources, online communities, and a lot of trial and error to shape the first theoretical prototype.Instead of building around a high-power microcontroller, I chose to use the smartphone’s superior processing power. Through USB-C and Bluetooth protocols, I enabled both line direct and bluetooth GPIO communication between the board and the device. This choice kept the hardware simple but functional. The early prototypes revealed issues like signal noise and power efficiency, but each round of testing helped me refine the design—making it more accessible without sacrificing performance.
The staged learning roadmap in Commi Board was designed to support users at every skill level, from absolute beginners to advanced programmers. It starts with puzzle-like visual programming, ideal for younger learners or those new to electronics—helping them understand logic through simple, drag-and-drop elements. Next is a Scratch-like interface, which introduces flow, events, and conditionals in a more flexible visual way.As users gain confidence, they can transition to AI-assisted natural language programming, where they describe their goals in plain language and let the system generate or guide code. Finally, advanced users can access a full IDE, offering complete control over coding and debugging. These four methods are interconnected, allowing users to move smoothly between them as they grow—making learning progressive, engaging, and deeply customizable.
The community-driven app component of Commi Board adds a powerful social layer to learning and prototyping. Users can share their projects, explore others’ work, and access a growing library of open-source circuits and code. This creates a collaborative environment where beginners can learn from real examples and advanced users can contribute, inspire, and mentor others.It also encourages experimentation—seeing how others solve problems helps users approach their own projects with more creativity and confidence. By blending social interaction with technical learning, the app makes prototyping feel less isolated and more like a shared, evolving experience.
Portability was a key design goal, especially since Commi Board is intended to attach directly to the back of a smartphone. The dimensions were optimized for devices ranging from 5.7 to 6.9 inches, striking a careful balance between usability and comfort. The board fits naturally within the average palm and does not interfere with typical phone operation.While all other components were designed to be as thin as possible, the overall thickness remains slightly above that of standard accessories due to mechanical limitations. Specifically, the height was determined by the depth required for standard DuPont jumper wire connections and the internal copper V-clamp structure. This dimension ensures stable electrical contact, reliable magnetic attachment, and physical durability—making it the most practical compromise between functionality, compactness, and structural integrity.
Looking ahead, one of my key goals is to complete and refine the API-to-software integration to allow seamless, real-time communication between the hardware and mobile app. This would enable live debugging, automated code suggestion, and interactive sensor data visualization directly within the app.I also envision building a low-code interface that allows users to switch between visual and text-based programming dynamically, supported by cloud-sync features and AI-powered code explanations. Eventually, Commi Board could support third-party module extensions and open APIs, allowing the community to expand its capabilities—turning it into a truly scalable and collaborative educational ecosystem.
The cloud-based project loading system allows users to access, share, and resume projects from any device, removing the need for complex local setups. For students, it means they can continue learning and prototyping across different environments—home, school, or on the go.For educators, it enables easy distribution of example projects, assignments, or collaborative challenges. This fosters a more interactive, inclusive learning environment and encourages knowledge-sharing, making electronics education more connected and accessible for all.
Usability testing revealed that many beginners struggled with traditional breadboards and complex wiring. This insight led me to adopt a modular, magnetic layout that simplifies component placement. Test participants also found value in visual programming, prompting the inclusion of both puzzle-style and Scratch-like interfaces.Another key insight was the preference for mobile-based interaction over desktop tools, which reinforced the decision to build around smartphones. These findings directly shaped Commi Board’s accessible form, intuitive app, and staged learning roadmap.
My advice is to always start with the user—not the technology. Talk to real learners, observe their struggles, and design from their perspective. Simplicity doesn’t mean reducing capability; it means removing friction. Expand on clarity, adaptability, and how the learning process feels, not just how it functions.Also, design what’s closest to you. Commi Board was born from my daily frustration using breadboards. The idea started with a simple question: “Why not just add a MCU to the breadboard itself?” Sometimes the best innovations come from rethinking the tools you already use.