Reimagining Textbooks for Modern Education
Client : Delhi State Board x Ashoka University
Commissioned by Ashoka University for the Delhi Board of School Education (DBSE), this project involved designing a complete textbook series for Grades 11 and 12 under the Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Schools of Specialized Excellence (ASOSEs).
The curriculum was structured to move away from rote learning and toward choice-based, future-ready education, with content aligned to IB-style frameworks. My role at Studio Atom was to lead the project's design and illustration of over 200 books across 11 subjects — from creating the visual system and layout templates to managing weekly design sprints and team coordination.
The textbooks needed to:
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Make complex academic content feel visually clear and engaging
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Work within a tight sprint model, with new chapters delivered weekly
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Be designed to scale — across grades, subjects, and varying page lengths
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Support student curiosity, while feeling approachable and non-intimidating
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Be accessible across different reading levels and visual processing needs
Visual storytelling
Illustrated metaphors, characters, and scenes were used not just to decorate but to clarify complex ideas, build emotional connection, and hold attention.
Mascots for every subject
Each subject had its own mascot, designed to journey with the student through the chapters, making complex concepts feel friendly and approachable.
Interactive learning tools
Activity pages, case studies, and group discussion sections ensured the learning experience was dynamic and application-based.
Creativity within constraints
Every subject, every chapter was challenging it its own way — pushing creative limits while meeting the clock. (This project was before Indesign decided to be inclusive of math formulae)
Reusable design components
Page structures, headers, tip boxes, and activity formats were standardized — allowing the small team to work fast without losing quality or coherence.
Collaboration tools & version control
Systems were set up to track edits, proof cycles, and new textbooks — essential for high-volume, high-speed publishing.
The outcome & Learnings
Over 200 subject books were designed and delivered across 19 subjects in 15 months by a team of five. The books are now in circulation across DBSE’s specialized schools in Delhi, used by thousands of students and teachers.
The design system enabled quick turnarounds without compromising quality — offering books that were clear, structured, and visually rich. The project also received positive feedback from educators, students, and curriculum partners for both clarity and visual engagement.
This wasn’t just about making textbooks look good — it was about building a learning experience through design.
It pushed me to think in systems, define reusable patterns, collaborate across teams, and continuously test and improve based on real use. The approach was all about balancing structure and storytelling, designing with users in mind, and building a system that works at scale.