When Atiqah was in university, she taught her lecturer’s kids at home. Amazed by her students’ love and talent in digital creative art, she kickstarted a multimedia coaching company for kids, Creative Sandbox in 2017.
Alongside her UTM coursemates—Sri Nursyafika, Wan Ain, Nur Hadiana and Syafiq—they started at their own neighbourhood in Melaka.
In the past, she worked as a graphic designer and ran Creative Sandbox part-time. To start things off, she used her own pocket money, not more than RM500.
Thanks to the partnership with big names such as MDEC, Pusat Kreatif Kanak-Kanak Bainun, Wacom, MMU and Petrosains, Atiqah is now able to run her company full-time.
They’re now making a five figure revenue, without getting any funding.
Developing Creativity Outside School
There are a lot of digital creative programmes, but most only cater to adults.
“In this era, not only kids love to see what they see, but they are also curious in finding out on how to make it,” said Atiqah.
“Also they are used to learning art through traditional ways, so we are here to make it more interesting and relevant to current trends.”
Some people don’t know about these programmes that are available outside of schools.
Still, parents believe that creative learning is crucial for their kids’ growth. Because of that, many big companies start to build up their own programmes.
“The competitors are convincing the parents that these programmes are important and kids these days really need it.”
A Bundle Of Interaction
Located in Cyberjaya, Creative Sandbox is currently runs each course (animation, illustration, graphic design and video production) in six weeks.
Each session takes two hours per week in one course (RM400–RM450). They also run partnership programmes with centres and schools. Each workshop (RM1,500–RM2,000) can fit up to 20 kids).
Through these sessions, kids will be able to handle the software, create their own artwork and express their style. Parents will get to see what their kids can learn and see their artwork.
“We managed to get recognition from partners and parents due to our unique module that are specially tailored for the kids,” she added.
“Our module is not just step-by-step learning. It is project-based learning that suits for kids. Our trainers’ way of handling and interacting with the kids allows them create more to express their ideas.”
Atiqah remembers the supportive messages from their first customers who said, “Spam me with anything to do with programmes and classes. I will definitely send my kids to your class.”
“It’s like any product you build,” she said. “These are the customers who are willing to pay for it.”
Building The Next Generation Of Content Makers
In the next five years, Creative Sandbox plans to build a studio. Kids will have their own space to make crazy projects, express their ideas, and help each other.
By doing that, kids will later have their own channel and keep building their content.
Atiqah encourages everyone to believe that kids can be creative content makers.
“The most important in pursuing your passion is just starting it with whatever you have and believe.”
- Find out more about Creative Sandbox on their website here.
Feature Image Credit: Creative Sandbox
