Earthrise Commons
A Sustainability Learning Commons with open resources for teaching & practicing sustainability in your community
I joined a team led by Joshua Korenblat, Sarah Wyman, and Kristoff Lalicki to design a Sustainability Learning Commons, a collaborative space where educators can share, remix, and contribute educational resources. The project emphasizes Creative Commons design patterns, accessibility standards, and open access practices, all aimed at inspiring educators to actively engage with and contribute to the mission.
This initiative was made possible through support from the SUNY OER IITG Impact Grants and Primary Source, a Massachusetts-based nonprofit.
UX Research and Design
June 2025-August 2025
Designing with Purpose: Creating Access for All
In this project, I served as a product designer for an open-access education platform built on diversity, creativity, and accessibility. Guided by Creative Commons and inclusive design practices, I focused on creating experiences that make it easier for educators to share their knowledge, remix ideas, and collaborate with others. The goal was not just to design a product, but to help build a community rooted in openness and equity.
UI DesVillage students attend a class at the Chalk Lanka Boat School, Singra, Natore, Bangladesh. Image by Abir Abdullah / Climate Visuals Countdown
Earthrise Design Objectives: Key Project Framework
Meeting the project criteria presented unique challenges in bringing the vision to life. The design needed to resonate with a wide audience of educators, spanning K–12, undergraduate, and beyond, while also reflecting the values of inclusivity, open access, and accessibility.
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The design had to follow inclusive design standards, including the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines, and incorporate multimedia to support diverse learning styles.
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All new content on Earthrise Commons is licensed under CC BY 4.0, allowing you to adapt or remix it for your own community. The design follows Creative Commons best practices to ensure proper attribution.
Design Shaped by Diversity, Inclusion, and Sustainability
For Earthrise’s branding, Josh and Kristoff envisioned an organic yet vibrant look and feel. The patterns and visual style were inspired by biological diversity, symbolizing the richness and inclusivity of Earthrise’s community.
As for the name, Earthrise, I wanted to weave in elements of space and planetary imagery to reflect a broader vision, one that speaks to limitless possibilities in education and sustainability. The brand represents a world without boundaries, where learning and community can grow expansively, like the universe itself.
Creative Commons Design Principles: Project Remix
A critical part of the project involved adhering to Creative Commons design principles and ensuring accurate attribution of remixed projects. Josh wanted to highlight the legacy of each project, allowing users to easily view, credit, and remix content. The design process focused on making this legacy visible and ensuring Commons credits were seamlessly integrated across the platform.
Impacting Thousands of Students Everywhere
Open-access education is at the heart of Earthrise Commons. The more educators share their materials, the more students, regardless of background, can learn, grow, and contribute to sustainable practices.
In our first years, based on our networks, we think we can help 1,000 to 2,000 students each year. This number could grow much more as teachers adapt and share what they find on the platform.
