social innovation inquiry

kansas city art institute // junior-senior 1, 6 credits // 2022–present

as creative thinkers and makers, graphic designers have much to contribute to the complex societal issues we face with respect to justice, equity, sustainability, [dis]ability, and a range of other wicked problems worthy of our attention. we also have a responsibility to people and planet to undertake our work within a thoughtful ethical framework. through a student-initiated, question-led process, we will explore these interrelated topics in a holistic, strategic, and systematic way. we will respectfully center our audience and their relationships to the issue in a co-design process, with media, communication strategy, context, and visual form following suit, leading to innovative design propositions that seek to improve our world within both social/civic and commercial contexts. to support and shape our experiences within the studio, we will discuss insights and share ideas we glean from reading, watching, and listening to a range of relevant sources.

view online course documents: course syllabus //

course evaluations: fall 2023 | fall 2022 | fall 2021

course notes
under the new kcai graphic design curriculum, which began in the fall of 2021, this six-credit course is one of three thematic studios from which juniors and seniors may choose. it is an extension and upgrade of the long-running “visual advocacy” three-credit course. the general project approach is two-fold: a self-directed, community-oriented project and an external-facing project undertaken with a community partner, with the latter often being set up as a small group endeavor.

objectives

[you will be graded on how much/well you…]

  1. ask quality questions of all types, within the broad spheres of justice, equity, sustainability, or disability, and do so with frequency and energy through your project work.

  2. integrate a respectful, audience-centered design process, including aspects of co-design or participatory design whenever possible.

  3. create critical, culturally appropriate and meaningful digital and analog visual form and craft in response to design problems.

  4. conduct independent inquiry and research through critical engagement with diverse, multicultural and multidisciplinary information sources, including an understanding of dominant artistic discourses and their relationship to underrepresented groups and ideas.

  5. demonstrate an ability to present and articulate written and verbal ideas and methods, to cultivate effective listening skills, and to participate in intercultural and intersectional discourse.

  6. show attention to detail and high level of craft in presentations of work and the work itself, including the level of quality and refinement achieved in final presentation design.

  7. demonstrate a strong and consistent work ethic, the ability to teach yourself, and to follow an organized and thorough path from concept through refinement to completion.

  8. demonstrate a high level of creativity, a willingness to take creative risks, and an intellectual curiosity that probes beyond one’s lived experience.

  9. one to three objectives authored by you, that develop capacities for a contemplative practice, studio habits of mind, or embodiment in social context. 

2023 fall

[co-taught with lisa maione]

this year was the first attempt at managing two sponsored studio projects in one six-credit course. faculty worked with the students to determine all students would work on both projects, managing the simultaneous schedules and demands. the expanding needs of both projects squeezed out the self-directed inquiry aspect of this course, which was a clear drawback that will not be repeated.

sponsored studio project 1: kansas city climate action plan, with mid-america regional council and barkley. create a brand that speaks to “climate constrained” and “climate indifferent” audiences, based on findings in the report “net zero by 2050. kc regional climate action plan – creating equitable nd just climate resilience in the kansas city region”

slide deck: initial design audit [conceived by paul corigan, barkley], as a method of cataloging relevant inspiration.

slide deck: initial range of design directions, after much brainstorming and sketching.

 

round 2 directions

 
 

slide deck: final design

process gallery:

sponsored studio project 2: blue springs parks & recreation activity guide. redesign the existing activity guide to incorporate a range of wants and needs from the client, including better document organization, increased use of photography, a bolder use of color and section openers, and redesigned maps. final delivery included a detailed indesign template with grid, type styles, and sample section openers as well as a sample pdf activity guide for design reference and a detailed style guide pdf.