Commi Board プロトタイピングツール by Kevin Yang is a highly esteemed winner of the very prestigious 2025 A' Design Award 鉄賞 in 教育・教材・研修コンテンツデザイン Competition Category.

鉄教育· 2025

Commi Board プロトタイピングツール

by Kevin Yang

Client: Royal College of Art

A' Design Award 鉄賞 Winner in 教育 Category

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Verified Award Winner

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View at A' Design Award Press Release Award Badge

Colors

The Design

About Commi Board プロトタイピングツール

Commi Boardは、理論的な学習と実際の応用を結びつける、モジュラー式でアプリ統合型のプロトタイピングプラットフォームです。教育者、学生、テクノロジー愛好家向けに設計されており、スマートデバイス上でマイクロコントローラーの機能をシミュレートすることができます。段階的な学習ロードマップ、コミュニティ主導のアプリ、柔軟なモジュラーデザインにより、Commi Boardはプロトタイピングを簡素化し、電子工作の実験をより身近なものにします。

The Recognition

About the A' Design Award 鉄賞

Commi Board プロトタイピングツールは、よく設計された創造物に期待される専門的・産業的要件を満たす優れたデザインに授与される、権威ある評価である A' Design Award 鉄賞の受賞作品です。鉄賞の受賞作品は、制作者の高い技量、高度な専門性、専門家としての理解、創造的な能力を示しています。Commi Board プロトタイピングツールは、高く評価され、称賛され、愛される、実用的で革新的な創造物であることが期待されます。この A' Design Award 鉄賞を受賞したデザインは、業界のベストプラクティスを統合し、ノウハウと才能に結びついた有能な技術的特性を備えています。Commi Board プロトタイピングツールは、その徹底ぶりで尊敬され、世界をより良い場所にするための生活の質の向上をもたらすよう設計されています。

Behind the Design

Press Kit

Credits, team members and technical details provided by the designer.

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.
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.
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.