We built a product for teachers in 10 hrs and it got first place

Brook Slagle

Web Designer
Product Designer
Framer Designer
ChatGPT
Figma
Framer
AHXE Labs
KEEP GOING Studio

Elementra: How we built a hackathon-winning minimum viable presentation in 10 hours.

Info: A hackathon project focused on creating a minimum-viable-presentation for an all-in-one Student Relationship Management (SRM) platform for teachers.
Type of Project: Collaborative product ideation, branding, and web development.
Tools Used: Figma (branding, mockups, and design collaboration), Framer (website design and development), various online tools for ideation and mockup generation.

Overview

Elementra was born during the 10-Hour Challenge Hackathon, a chaotic yet exhilarating sprint to create a minimum viable presentation (MVP). Our team—comprising Brian, Eric, Keyik, and myself—set out to tackle the challenges faced by overworked teachers.
Through rapid ideation, branding, and development, we created a cohesive brand identity and a fully functional website to present our solution: an SRM platform designed to help teachers focus on their students rather than administrative tasks. Despite obstacles (like my glasses breaking mid-sprint), we delivered a polished MVP that won first place among 12 other teams and actually got us connected to a Forbes 30 Under 30 Founder.
Team photo
Team photo

The Goal

To develop a solution for teachers that:
• Reduces administrative burden.
• Provides tools for managing student progress efficiently.
• Enhances teacher-student relationships by freeing up time for meaningful interaction.

Challenges

1. Identifying the Right Market: While we initially considered products for students, we realized their lack of purchasing power would limit adoption. Focusing on teachers gave us clarity and direction.
2. Time Constraints: Building a functional MVP within 10 hours meant juggling ideation, branding, and development under intense pressure.
3. Technical Hiccups: Broken glasses and tight deadlines tested not only my ability, but the whole group's ability to adapt and stay on track.
team chaos mode
team chaos mode

The Process

1. Ideation and Planning
• We brainstormed teacher pain points and explored multiple markets before settling on the idea of an SRM platform.
• Eric and Keyik led the GTM strategy and ensured the solution aligned with teachers’ needs and budgets.
2. Branding and Visual Identity
• Brian and I collaboratively developed the Elementra branding, iterating on names, colors, and typography until landing on a warm, inviting burnt orange palette.
• Tools like Figma and online AI helped us refine the brand and product mockups efficiently.
Our chaotic figma file
Our chaotic figma file
3. Website and MVP Development
• I led the effort to build the landing page in Framer, ensuring consistency across colors, buttons, and text styles.
• Key features like the scroll animation showcasing the product screens became a highlight of our MVP presentation.

The Solution

Elementra is an all-in-one SRM platform designed for teachers, offering:
Teacher Dashboard: Tracks grades, attendance, and behavior in intuitive charts.
Student Profiles: Includes a “Wellness Score” and organizes all student data in one place.
Teaching Assistant: Automates grading, lesson planning, and email drafting to save teachers valuable time.

The Result

1st Place at the 10-Hour Challenge Hackathon: Our hard work, creativity, and teamwork paid off, earning top honors among 12 competing teams.
Connection with a CPO and Forbes 30 Under 30 Founder: We had the chance to meet up with a local top founder to talk about our future plans for Elementra and the budding future of AI in education.

Reflection

Participating in Elementra’s creation was both a validation of my design skills and a reminder of the power of collaboration. The experience taught me:
• How to work effectively under pressure.
• The importance of asking the right questions during the beginning phases of creating something new.
• The immense potential for AI in solving real-world problems in education.
What I’m Most Proud Of:
The scroll animation I built became a really cool aspect of our presentation, visually communicating our product’s value and making a lasting impression on the judges.

Future Aspirations

If Elementra were to move forward, our next steps would include finalizing the MVP, securing funding, and connecting with teachers for real-world testing and feedback. With further development, Elementra could revolutionize how teachers manage their classrooms and focus on what truly matters: their students.
Visit the Site
Partner With Brook
View Services

More Projects by Brook