degree project 2
kansas city art institute // senior 2 // 2018, 2014
the second half of the senior degree project sequence will continue development, refinement, and production of each student's unique topic, in what will serve as the culmination of the graphic design undergraduate education. the degree project will be addressed both theoretically and practically, through extensive research, writing, visual experimentation, class discussion, and personal insight.
view online course documents: course syllabus // daily blog // guest critic eval form // advisor input form
objectives
[you will be graded on how much/well you...]
synthesize learning from design coursework with other formal and informal studies
research, expand, contract, and focus on a topic befitting and unique to you
evidence research in your work, writing or speaking, including content, audience, historical precedent, contemporary counterparts and/or current events/happenings
repeatedly develop questions and ideas through iteration and making [quantity and quality]
experiment visually; push your comfort zone in terms of form, media choice, design issues
demonstrate understanding of complexity/systems thinking through the creation of interrelated artifacts
create design artifacts that have audience- and contextual-relevance
professionally produce and craft artifacts for final exhibitions and presentations
articulate ideas through writing and speaking [formal/informal; traditional/experimental]
course structure
a self-defined, semester-long design project or series of related projects
group discussions over project work, readings, professional practice topics
multiple process check-points
final public visual/verbal presentation of your degree project
documentation and delivery of final work
public exhibition of the work
initial project proposals: ashley castillo | sarah dean | steven mcdonald
final outcomes
ashley castillo emerging pacific – brand, content development, and experiential design [physical, interactive, and spatial] for a traveling exhibition about pacific ocean pollution.
view final project presentation
steven mcdonald overconsumption – questioning consumer culture lifestyles through the rebellious/clandestine language of street art and persuasive power of sound and motion through storytelling.
view final project presentation
y pham YZ translator – ux / ui and branding for a mobile translation app emphasizing the learning of new languages through direct juxtaposition of both scripts and visual indication of pronunciation quality. inspired by y’s communication process with her mother, who is vietnamese-born and for whom english is a second language.
view final project presentation
degree project 2014
final outcomes
sam small collectivity – ux / ui and branding for a speculative online platform for creative collaboration. unrestricted by geography, creatives of all types can view inspiring work, connect with like-minded people, develop and critique project ideas, and fully execute collaborative projects.
view initial project proposal
recognition – best in show “above the fold” student interactive and motion design awards [national]
taylor hillestad nostalgicare – an ipad app aimed toward dementia patients to help them recollect their past through the use of reminiscence therapy.
view process documentation
zacree cobos ribz – complete re-tooling of this student’s existing clothing brand, from mission statement to identity re-design. the brand was executed through artifacts including a redesigned website, product hangtags and a mobile pop-up shop.
view process documentation
view the ribz website in its current state