Senior Showcase

Project: Capstone

In their final semester, seniors develop a research-based, self-authored capstone project. We ask them to identify an opportunity or problem where design can play an important role. As graphic designers, there’s no boundaries on how our creativity can improve, support, educate, or facilitate an experience. Often the capstone comes from a personal experience or interest and the results of the student’s efforts are large-scale, multi-component design experiences that address a variety of diverse and complex problems.

Third Space Kitchens

The concept for Third Space Kitchens was borne out of a need and vacuum within communities of color lacking an intentional support system for 2nd generation, POC identities with consideration for cross-cultural intersectionality. During the research process, I was familiarized with the sociological construct of a “third place” which is a social surrounding that is separate from the first & second places of home and work. The purpose of third places are to provide people with a safe, validating sense of community where they are free to be themselves, away from the social obligations of work or home life. This Capstone project is an opportunity to intersect these two concepts together by supporting historically underrepresented and underserved communities of color.

Third Space Kitchens is a network of ethnic cooking classes that aims to serve as a “third place” support system/resource for young, 2nd generation, people of color. Food, as one of the strongest forms of interpersonal connection, provides an opportunity for Third Space Kitchens to address many points of cross-cultural intersectionality including a reconnection to one’s cultural heritage — something a lot of 2nd generation POC-Americans struggle with, as well as an exploration of their multi-generational & bicultural identities alongside others who share this niche experience.

Rewild

Rewild aims to support the mental health of young urban professionals by facilitating nature-connectedness through simple and intentional daily activities. With more and more research proving the correlation between nature-connectedness and improved mental health, Rewild aims to provide resources along a person’s journey toward better mental health. The Rewild campaign consists of an app and a variety of multimedia interventions that prompt viewers to encounter and appreciate the nature around them in new ways.

The Most Beautiful Form of Expression: (Queer Fashion)

This exhibition celebrates self-expression, self-identity and individualism all through the lens of fashion. While combining the pyshical world with the virtual, accessed through a publication telling the story of queer fashion.

The Play Book

The Play Book is an interactive pop-up book that explores the concept of play, including its definition, importance, benefits, and properties. The book emphasizes that play is not just for kids but for people of all ages, and that it's a concept that adults should understand and incorporate into their lives.

Harmony

Harmony: the connection between music and our emotions is a museum exhibition on music psychology. It aims to solidify this connection and the overall importance of music to its viewers. This is accomplished through scientific research including connections to the brain, emotion, memory, synesthesia, and the human connection to music, historical connections with two timeline walls of musicians, festivals, and formats, and with engaging activities such as an interview section and a brainwave visualizer. Harmony is displayed in a scale model form of the exhibit and includes other deliverables such as notepads, visitors passes, and brochures.

Expedition

Expedition was created to help solve the issue of information on hiking and nature being incredibly decentralized. The information on these topics are incredibly scattered across different print and digital pieces as well as word of mouth. Through the creation of the Expedition app, we hoped to remedy these flaws in the system. Expedition also consists of printed field guides based around the ideas of hiking for fitness, hiking for mental health, and hiking in the search of harvestable goods. Finally this brand is tied together through advertisements for the three branches as well as for Expedition as a whole. Lastly there are “merit badges” that are obtainable upon completing different tasks related to nature.

big feels: i feel… Book Series

The big feels series was created in order to assist parents in talking to their kids about difficult topics, so that they can hear the information from people they trust and understand.

Wren

Wren is a wellness and lifestyle brand dedicated to improving the wellbeing of individuals through self care practices. We aim to reduce the stress of everyday life by providing products and practices that encourage people to take a breather and enjoy the simple pleasures of life. Something as simple as curling up with a good book or doing your skin care routine can significantly improve your mental health. We often forget to take time to appreciate the simple things in life as we become enraptured by the hustle and bustle of our daily lives. Mental health is not often prioritized in American work culture so many struggle with feeling overwhelmed and anxious with no real support. These feelings can be hard to cope with but we aim to provide an outlet to reduce these problems. We want to provide you with the materials you need for entertainment and general coziness that can help brighten your day.

Dear Teachers: Don’t Forget to Laugh!

One of the most common reasons students struggle in school is a need for more motivation or interest in the subject. When students are not engaged or interested in their learning, focusing and retaining the information can be challenging. Comedy has the power to fix that. When teachers use comedy in the classroom, they can break down the tension and stress students may feel when learning new and challenging material. Incorporating comedy into lessons can make the material more memorable and easier to understand. Overall, comedy can be an effective tool for creating a more effective and enjoyable learning experience in the classroom.

•This workbook encompasses everything teachers need to know regarding using comedy in the classroom. Teachers are equipped to help their students learn faster and better, from the techniques to the history.

•The illustration style allows for an easy understanding of this complex topic and keeps the teacher engaged.

•Scenarios and situations are shown in a comic book style way showing how teachers can use that technique and to meet them where they are at.

•Some comedy is not helpful in the classroom because it is just funny and not meaningful. To prevent this, the workbook provides a what not to do section.