nico Playful Art Studio for Kids
"In Japan, there is often an emphasis on 'not making mistakes', 'aiming for a perfect score', and 'following directions'. I began to question whether this approach truly nurtures creativity. I wanted to create a place where children could express their ideas freely; a place where they wouldn’t be compared, corrected, or evaluated, but instead valued for their own process and imagination.
That’s when I discovered the concept of Process Art, which deeply inspired me. I was drawn to the idea of valuing the experience of exploration and decision-making more than the perfection of the final artwork. I wanted children to feel the joy of creating freely and the pride that comes from completing something on their own.
When designing my studio, I focused on creating a space that instantly sparks imagination the moment you walk in, feels open and full of creative energy yet remains organized and calm, and has the flexibility to transform to fit a wide range of activities and ages.
The MakerWall has truly become the face of our studio. When children and parents walk in and see it, their eyes light up — I love hearing their joyful “Wow!” every time. What I appreciate most is how it beautifully displays our materials while keeping the space calm and organized. It allows children to see, touch, and choose what they want to use by themselves.
One of my biggest challenges in designing the studio was flexibility. Our studio isn’t large — when five children and their parents are inside, it’s already full! So I wanted to avoid creating areas that could only serve a single purpose.
That’s why I especially love the Folding Desk from MakerWall. Sometimes we use them as tables, sometimes as display shelves for 3D artworks, and other times we fold them flat to hang paintings. Even when folded, there’s still enough space inside to store paint bottles, which makes tidying up quick and effortless. During classes, when I suddenly need extra space, they save me every time.
I also love the Jar Rack, where brushes, pens, and scissors are always within children’s reach. But during baby classes, I can easily move the jars to keep the environment safe. And the Drying Rack has been another favorite. It fits large B3-size paper perfectly, so we use it both as a drying area and a paper storage shelf.
All the accessories can be rearranged freely, so I can easily adjust the layout depending on the activity or age group. Thanks to that flexibility, our daily setup and cleanup have become so much smoother and the space always feels fresh and inspiring."
