Hi!
i’m adrian granchelli
about me
I design experiences—physical, digital, and everything in between.
I’m currently pursuing a doctorate in Educational Technology. With a background in engineering and a Master of Educational Technology, I specialize in creating engaging learning, social, and playful experiences.
I’ve led educational programs, interactive design projects, and large-scale installations, working with makerspaces, post-secondary institutions, and communities. A maker at heart, I thrive on experimenting—from woodworking and digital fabrication to coding and interactive art.
When I’m not designing or teaching, I’m in the wilderness—rock climbing, camping, snowboarding, or volunteering with Comox Valley Search and Rescue.
I live on the unceded territory of the K’òmoks First Nation (Vancouver Island, Canada) and go by he/him pronouns.
I design experiences—physical, digital, and everything in between.
With a background in engineering and a Master of Educational Technology, I specialize in creating engaging learning, social, and playful experiences.
I’ve led educational programs, interactive design projects, and large-scale installations, working with makerspaces, post-secondary institutions, and communities. A maker at heart, I thrive on experimenting—from woodworking and digital fabrication to coding and interactive art.
When I’m not designing or teaching, I’m in the wilderness—rock climbing, camping, snowboarding, or volunteering with Comox Valley Search and Rescue.
I live on the unceded territory of the K’òmoks First Nation (Vancouver Island, Canada) and go by he/him pronouns.
teaching
philosophy
Learning should be hands-on, inclusive, and driven by curiosity. I believe in creating spaces where people feel empowered to explore, experiment, and grow. Rooted in constructivist and social learning theories, my approach values creativity, collaboration, and play—integrating project-based learning, scaffolding, gamification, and the third-space to make learning meaningful.
teaching &
mentoring
With over nine years of experience, I’ve taught math, physics, design, making, and sailing to learners of all ages. I’ve taught in classrooms, makerspaces, and online—in person, remotely, synchronously, asynchronously, and in blended formats. From leading Design+Build workshops to mentoring in makerspaces, I create engaging, supportive spaces where learners gain confidence and bring ideas to life.
design &
engineering
I find design fascinating—the process of leveraging art and divergent thinking for functional outcomes. I’m constantly experimenting! My approach blends the engineering design process, citizen design, liberatory design, and Indigenous design paradigms. I explore these principles for learning experiences, interactive art, coding, woodworking, graphic art, and renovations, fostering creativity and inclusivity in every project.
project
management
With an engineering background, I naturally step into project management roles. I manage design projects, course development, and team work with an emphasis on organization, collaboration, and clear communication. I view project management similarly to leading a classroom—balancing structure and flexibility to support individuals while guiding the team towards a shared goal.
civic
engagement
Volunteering has been a constant thread in my life. I’m an active member of Comox Valley Search and Rescue and in the past have helped to teach adaptive snowboarding, organize public events, serve as a peer advisor, and host creativity talks. I continue to support local makerspaces and initiatives like the Repair Café, always aiming to foster community, empower others, and inspire learning.
wilderness
skills
I’m continually in awe of the Pacific Northwest’s vastness and beauty. From hiking and kayaking to rock climbing and snowboarding, I embrace the challenge. My comfort, confidence, and respect for the wilderness are grounded in my personal experiences, along with wilderness safety, avalanche, and sailing courses. This connection to the wilderness inspires me to learn and grow, and I strive to share that appreciation with others.
projects
projects
My work blends hands-on learning, immersive experiences, and diverse design approaches to inspire curiosity, creativity, and growth. By centering the person in the design process, I create inclusive, interactive environments through curriculum, installations, and physical/digital tools. I combine educational research, play, technology, and design to foster meaningful, engaging experiences that encourage collaboration and innovation.
learning design
Inclusive, interactive experiences grounded in the latest educational research. Whether developing curriculum, training programs, or hands-on workshops, my focus is on making education engaging, meaningful, and relevant. I continually experiment with new techniques and technologies to enhance learning.
experience design
Immersive experiences that blend play, technology, and storytelling. From interactive installations to public art and games, my work aims to spark curiosity, creativity, and connection. By focusing on user experience and intuitive design, I create environments where people feel empowered and inspired.
learning design
experience design
dive deeper
-
Shadow Synth
Step into the spotlight. Cast a shadow. Make some music. -
Sonic Tapestry
an interactive, AI-generated music machine -
My Journey into a PhD
Connecting the Dots That Brought Me Here -
i/o Mimicry
an interactive art light up button game system -
What is Learning?
exploring learning: a mind map of my learner-centred approach -
Engagement with Experience (Podcast)
exploring the barriers to participation and how to overcome them -
Tools of Intellect
placing a pencil between the theories of actor-network theory and media ecology -
Screen the World
an online knowledge center for everything screenprinting
Footnotes
- Applications of Learning Theories https://met.ubc.ca/courses/etec-512/
- Master of Educational Technology. University of British Columbia. https://met.ubc.ca/
- METatheory taught by Dr. Suzanne de Castell. https://blogs.ubc.ca/565d/
- WordPress: an open source website development platform. https://wordpress.org/
- CLUEVO LMS: a lightweight and user-friendly Learning Management System plugin for WordPress. https://wp-lms.cluevo.at/
- Sharable Content Object Reference Model, a set of technical standards for eLearning products that allows content and Learning Management Systems (LMSs) to work together seamlessly.
- WooCommerce: a customizable, open-source ecommerce platform built on WordPress. https://woocommerce.com/
- Articulate 360: a suite of tools that includes Storyline 360 for creating interactive e-learning content. https://www.articulate.com/360/
- Andy MacDougall, an internationally recognized screenprinting expert, is a member of the Academy of Screen and Digital Printing (ASDPT), author of Screen Printing Today, the Basics, and a global consultant for artists, educators, and industry leaders. https://www.speedballart.com/pro-artist-network/andy-macdougall/
- Science World is a charitable non-profit and science centre based in Vancouver, BC that engages learners across the province in STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art & design and math). https://www.scienceworld.ca/
- ETEC 580: Directed Study / Problems in Education. Master of Educational Technology. https://met.ubc.ca/courses/etec-580/
- Radiolab is a radio program and podcast produced by WNYC, a public radio station based in New York City. It focuses on topics of scientific, philosophical, and political nature, presenting them in an accessible and engaging manner. https://radiolab.org/
- Freakonomics Podcast is a popular American public radio program and podcast that explores socioeconomic issues and presents them in an engaging and accessible way for a general audience. https://freakonomics.com/series/freakonomics-radio/
- This American Life is a weekly public radio program and podcast that explores a different theme each week through various stories. https://www.thisamericanlife.org/
- Audacity. https://www.audacityteam.org/
- Otherworld: A Vancouver Island Regional Burning Man Event. Otherworld is a multi-day event, held annually on Vancouver Island — with art, music and community at its core. Together, every participant helps co-create an experience distinct from our everyday physical world or reality. https://otherworld.ca/
- Teensy 4.1: a powerful microcontroller board designed for high-speed applications. https://www.pjrc.com/store/teensy41.html
- Wokwi is an online platform for simulating microcontroller projects, such as those built with Arduino, ESP32, and Raspberry Pi Pico. It allows users to design, code, and test circuits in a browser without needing physical hardware, making it ideal for prototyping and learning. https://wokwi.com/
- What If, formally known as Burn in the Forest, is the Greater Vancouver Interactive Arts Society’s (GVIAS) Official Burning Man Regional annual summer event. https://whatif.now/
- The Woodstove Music & Arts Festival is a non-profit community arts festival presented by Cumberland Culture & Arts Society. It takes place in a variety of unique venues downtown in the Village of Cumberland, BC on the unceded traditional territory of the K’ómoks First Nation. https://www.woodstovefestival.ca/
- CAST. (2022). The UDL Guidelines. Retrieved from https://udlguidelines.cast.org/