Theses and Dissertations, Capstones, and Directed Research
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Browsing Theses and Dissertations, Capstones, and Directed Research by Department "Art and Design"
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Item A Comparison of Government-Sponsored Integration of Design and Society in the United States and the Netherlands(2021-05) Sorensen, Dillon; Röeschmann, Claudia; Tetin, Dimitry; Lieber, JeffreyNo abstract prepared.Item A Computational Design Framework for Regulation Volatility in the Cannabis Industry(2019-08) Jakhar, Yamna; Roeschmann, Claudia; Soto, Alvaro; Handwerker, MargoNo abstract prepared.Item A Mobile Application Designed to Improve Clothing Choice for Visually Impaired Users: An Application of Human-Centered Design(2018-05) Chattin, Cameo; Lawrence, Grayson; Davis, Jeffrey; Naimy, BrendaOne’s outward appearance becomes a dominating factor in a person’s representation in social situations such as job interviews, first dates, and social events. With all of the visual indicators that identify stylish and socially appropriate clothing—pattern, color, and texture—choosing an outfit for the day is a simple task for most people. However, people with visual impairment must use alternative methods to complete this same task by relying mostly on touch, memory and sound. Vision loss often limits one’s ability to identify colors and patterns making appropriate decisions about clothing combinations challenging. The goal of this thesis was to evaluate how a novel mobile application combined with a physical electronic device (i.e. RFID/radio frequency identification device tags) could improve the daily task of identifying and locating clothing for people with visual impairment. The research approach, using human-centered design and design thinking processes, was dependent on user-focused input in combination with digital prototype testing, with two different user flows, using advanced smartphone accessibility features. This thesis includes multiple phases of research, which led to the current outcomes and results, for the proposed accessible mobile application design. Using the design methods from the Inspiration, Ideation, and Implementation phases, of the IDEO human-centered approach, 92% of users found the application helpful when creating a matching outfit for the following occasions: casual, social, professional, and special. 76% of users inquired about when the mobile application would be available for download.Item A Tactical Guide For Transitioning To User Experience Design(2018-12) Puchek, Alexis Du Mond; Lawrence, Grayson; Davis, Jeffrey G.; Browning, TonyaIt has been ten years since we have lived in a world that has not included social media, smart phones, and mobile applications. Over the last decade, User Experience design has been infused into these digital products and services, with companies like Google and Apple creating in-depth design language systems for their platforms that can be used extensively as an open-source framework. With this growing breadth of experience in digital platforms, User Experience designers have been able to focus on the bigger user-centered needs and not reinvent the wheel with some of the more commonplace solutions. “…because designers are deeply committed to advocating for user needs/wants/desires in the face of corporate inertia…” User Experience design has been an important discipline for designers to enter and be the true voice for the user (e.g. user-centered design) as they create new products and experiences (Fabricant, 2014). Over the course of three months, more than sixty-five prospective User Experience designers, current User Experience practitioners, and current recruiters for the User Experience discipline participated in tailored surveys for each of their roles (see Appendix D). These results have culminated in the final outcome for this thesis, a book concept consisting of a chapter outline and introductory chapter, and a book query that pitches the idea of a book (Making the Switch: A Career Transition Guide Into UX) for how designers from an auxiliary discipline can make a successful transition to User Experience design. This book query was sent to forty-one individuals who had indicated that they were interested in entering into the User Experience design discipline, as well as current practitioners in the field for Validation Testing and feedback. The result was a reinforcement of the hypothesis and proposed solution, with 90% of the participants in the book query Validation Testing confirming that the book proposal had a unique perspective and would be a useful publication that they would consider purchasing. After successful endorsement of the proposed solution of a book by the participants in the book query Validation Testing, an outline of the book and first chapter were written. The purpose of these two artifacts was to articulate the results from this thesis in an organized manner that orchestrated how the book, Making the Switch: A Career Transition Guide Into UX, would solve the needs and struggles of prospective designers and provide an example of the language, tone, and writing style that the book would take. Twenty-two individuals responded to this final round of book concept Validation Testing, ranging from prospective designers, to current practitioners, to educators in the discipline of User Experience design. Overwhelmingly, the responses acquired 100% positive support and demand for this book to be written and introduced into the arena of User Experience design publishing. This thesis outlines the methodologies and results that concluded in a successful validation of the hypothesis that practitioners in Visual Design, Web Design, Industrial Design, and Architecture (adjacent disciplines to User Experience design) are making the transition from their current discipline to that of User Experience design with varying levels of success. These prospective practitioners require a step-by-step, tactical guide–– one that is founded in research and recommendations by industry practitioners, recruiters, and hiring managers––to teach them how to successfully make the transition into User experience design.Item Accountability in Communication Design: Advocacy, Community, and the Immigration Debate(2021-05) Riojas, Yocelyn; Sherman, Molly; Reed, Jason; Menjivar, MarkNo abstract prepared.Item Adventurestorming: Conducting Collaborative Ideation Utilizing Creative Play(2016-05) Terrell, Trey Joel; Lawrence, Grayson B.; Davis, Jeff G.; Wright, MaiaMembers of the communication design industry are playing larger roles than they have before. Methods used by communication designers are being implemented in businesses to shape research practices and direct projects that impact larger sections of the world’s population. Most often, larger projects involve multidisciplinary groups working together for a common goal. As a result, it is imperative that the communication design industry have effective tools for interacting with diverse groups of people during the ideation phase of project planning. This thesis examines the aspects of successful brainstorming sessions, collaboration, and gamification to determine if creative play can be used as an effective method for conducting group ideation sessions consisting of designers and non-designers. The goal of the proposed brainstorming game is to be easy to implement, foster greater interaction between all members of the group, keep the group focused on the problem, build greater empathy for the users, and generate better outcomes when compared to traditional brainstorming methods. The prototype tabletop role playing game (RPG), named Adventurestorming, was tested with two groups of five to six people. When compared to the control group, who used classic brainstorming methods, the test groups showed that the game was successful in creating a strong connection with the user, as well as being more successful in exploring problems in the area of user interaction.Item Alleviating Hospital Stress: An Examination of Children's Hospital Navigation and Design Methodologies Resulting in a Toolkit for the Implementation of Stress Relieving Systems for Adult Hospitals(2019-05) Hussey, Heather; Davis, Jeffrey; Lawrence, Grayson; Sherman, MollyNo abstract prepared.Item An Exploration of the Environmental Brand Experience (EBE) As Applied to the Digital Publishing Model(2013-08) Bulsiewicz, Michael J.; Röeschmann, Claudia; Newton, Rose; Visit, ChristopherAs companies evolve to offer new media products, they can lean on the communication design discipline to find ways to help inform and acclimate audiences to the user experience. Using the proven successful approach of an environmental brand experience (EBE), the Communication Designer (CD) can create controlled environments that communicate product functionality and reduce user apprehension. The focus of this thesis is a case study exploration of how an EBE can be used to promote digital publishing content. This investigation will demonstrate how American publishers can embrace an EBE approach to educate and inform their audiences using DC Entertainment as an example.Item An Ideation Process for Building Brand Identity: The Graphic Atlas Ideation Nexus Applied to the Crab Cay, Exuma, Resort and Real Estate Development(2009-08) Davis, Jeffrey G.; Meek, William E.Ideation strategies are essential tools utilized by the communication design discipline (COD), which depends on ideation strategies for creative problem solving. The COD has historically used a variety of ideation strategies in their creative process appropriated from other disciplines. This thesis explores these ideation strategies, which are historically and currently utilized by the COD, and the role these strategies play in the creation of ideas. The preliminary research focuses on three categories; historical and current ideation strategies used by the CDD, understanding brand, and designing brand identity. These ideation strategies are analyzed and compared to the Graphic Atlas Ideation Nexus (GAIN), a fact-based research ideation strategy specifically designed for building objective brand identities. In 2006, the GAIN process was applied to building the brand identity for Crab Cay, Exuma, (CCE), a master planned real estate development and luxury spa resort in the Bahamas. This thesis also examines the results of utilizing the GAIN process in building the brand identity and brand narrative as presented in the Crab Cay, Exuma, brand presentation book.Item Analysis of Six Communication Design Principles for Missing Children Awareness Campaigns(2021-12) Soto, Brianna; Park, Hannah; Röeschmann, Claudia; Stone, BarryNo abstract prepared.Item At The Crossroads of Theatre and Technology: The Effect of Mobile Technology on a Century Old Publication(2013-11) Hurtado, Adriana; Davis, Jeffrey G.; Lawrence, Grayson; Newton, RoselynnNo abstract prepared.Item Being an Ally: Communication Design's Role in Improving the Health Information Seeking Experience in People with Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome(2021-12) Gordon, Katherine; Sherman, Molly; Kim, MiHyun; Myers, DanetteEighteen percent of reproductive-aged people assigned female at birth have PCOS (Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome). It is very likely that most people have or will have a relationship with someone that has PCOS. It is a complicated, difficult to treat, underfunded, chronic health condition. People with PCOS struggle to get diagnosed, have a good relationship with healthcare providers and find quality information. Helping people affected by PCOS access accurate information regarding their health can encourage hope and healing. This research describes the creation of a prototype website aimed to improve the health information seeking experience of someone with PCOS. The prototype is an interactive digital tool and educational project named Allyist. Allyist’s features and format are informed by human-centered design methods. The primary goals of the website are to help people test suspicions of having PCOS, thoroughly explain PCOS while also giving more specific information, improve the search for PCOS specialists, and provide personalized information that encourages self-advocacy. User-testing with a small sample of people affected by PCOS revealed that participants had a favorable experience using Allyist. Results also show that educational visual aids that are simple and interactive are valuable to participants over personalized features. This suggests that most people are looking for straightforward health information online. Allyist can serve as a model for similar websites focused on other chronic health conditions.Item Black Girl Happy: The Visual Language of Black Women Pursuing and Creating their Happiness(2024-05) Otuata, Chika; Lee, Alice J.; Wright, M.; Arceneaux-Sutton, TashekaNo abstract prepared.Item BoxLab: A Comparison of Brand Experiences for STEM Toys and Their Influence on Gender(2020-12) Brown, Kimberly Michelle; Roeschmann, Claudia; Justice, Sean; Lee, Alice J.Strides have been made to make STEM inclusive, however the gender gap is still significant. The added attention given to STEM-related fields has not only increased consumer awareness, but also assisted in the growth of a multi-billion-dollar STEM toy industry. But are these products effective in curbing the STEM gender gap or are retailers utilizing tactics that perpetuate the status quo? This research will explore design trends among STEM toys through observational studies to better understand what attracts female participation, and as a result proposes an open-ended learning opportunity while removing outdated traditional gender stereotypes.Item Brand Identity Exploration: Redesigning Spec's Wine, Spirits, and Finer Foods Brand Identity(2011-05) Haffelder, Clinton H.; Davis, Jeffrey G.; Röeschmann, Claudia; Berno, Thomas C.The objectives for creating this brand identity book (BIB) were to modernize the Specs Wine, Spirits, & Finer Foods (SWS) Brand Identity (BI) and introduce the brand into markets where the company does not have brand awareness or equity. The process of modernizing SWS brand identity included preliminary research, methods, and outcomes (i.e. creative process) and resulted in the following illustration.Item Branding for religious non-profit organizations: A case study for the Harvest Food Pantry(2011-05) Honea, Jeremy; Davis, Jeffrey G.; Berno, Thomas C.; Hays, MichelleThis research explores branding of a faith-based non-profit organization. Research focuses on development of a visual brand identity and supporting brand applications for the Harvest Food Pantry (HFP) in New Braunfels, Texas. The mission of the HFP is to supply food to underprivileged citizens in the New Braunfels community.Item Branding Importance In Municipalities: Rebranding The City Of San Marcos, Texas(2014-05) Harber, Kelley McCall; Lawrence, Grayson; Davis, Jeffrey; Meek, WilliamThe global population is continually growing with increasing numbers of families moving into metropolitan areas both large and small. As populations increase and uninhabited land decreases, competition between cities becomes more aggressive in order to attract potential investment and to increase population size. In this competitive dynamic, a strong brand presence is critical. And as a result of this, an increased need for city branding has developed. In July of 2009, the city council of San Marcos began work on a project to rebrand the city. The goal of the rebrand was to increase investment and development within the city, attract more tourism, and to create a consistent brand identity and messaging platform. The city released a request for proposals to design agencies that identified the goals of the rebrand as needing to develop a unique and consistent identity for the city in order to successfully attract inward investment to the city.Through the research, process, design, and implementation outlined in this thesis, a new brand identity for the city of San Marcos, Texas is created. The new city brand and identity is an example of consistent brand implementation across multiple marketing mediums including marketing materials, environmental signage, promotional items, and online sites. The brand messaging is implemented through several tactics to increase brand awareness and to attract the target investment groups. This rebranding project additionally supports the need for small municipalities to implement city branding strategies in order to attract its target investment groups. The thesis is followed by a brand process book outlining the process of the new brand creation and its implementation.
Item Bricks for Justice, A Traveling Exhibition for International Justice Mission, A Human Rights Organization(2012-08) Solis Rivero, Genaro; Roeschmann, Claudia; Davis, Jeffrey G.; Wright, MaiaNo abstract prepared.Item Bridging digital UX design methodics and non-digital user needs for a better urban fishing experience(2021-05) Murillo, Rolando; Davis, Jeffrey G.; Meek, William; Jastillana, MarvinThis study investigates the impact of digital design methodics on non-digital fishing experience user problems in an urban public park. Data on angler needs and urban park features were collected with primary research and secondary research methods over two years. As prescribed by digital user experience design practices, convergent and divergent thinking processes were used to analyze and identify design opportunities in public parks. The British Design Council’s four-phase Double Diamond framework for design thinking was used to encourage innovation, discover insights, define user needs, develop solutions, and deliver testable prototypes. IDEO’s Human-centered Design Methods Kit was used to promote user empathy. Lean UX was applied to streamline the ideation process. Material culture and placemaking strategies were applied to enhance human-to-prototype connections. Communication design tactics were applied to facilitate user navigation, promote endearment, and encourage learning. Generative ideation methods were used to explore concepts informed by digital experience design methods across multiple prototyping formats. The resulting medium-fidelity prototype resolved core Urban Angler needs related to stewardship, safety, kinship, and success. It received a 91% user rating for usability and an 89% user rating for delightfulness, demonstrating that digital user experience design methodics can successfully deliver a non-digital park experience.Item Building A Brand For A Gastro Lounge: Analysis And Considerations For Honey(2012-12) Pierron, Keooudone; Davis, Jeffrey G.; Röschmann, Claudia; Niblett, MichaelNo abstract prepared.