Art and Design Commons^™

Raising Consciousness: Challenging Diversity In Christian Publishing, Michael Omari Johnson

Masters Theses

The Christian publishing industry has overlooked the importance of diversity, particularly its impact on black American audiences. While studies show that diversity and inclusion can lead to more innovation through problem-solving, there persists a paradox where a lack of opportunities, disparities in wealth and employment and systemic prejudices can play a role in the ethnic and racial homogeneity of the Christian publishing industry. Thus, there are many barriers preventing people of color from emerging to the market, reflecting in the storytelling, content creation and audience of African-descent followers.

Marks The Spot, Timothy Paul Crane

Masters Theses

This thesis is an investigation into the prtoblem of marketing for small businesses with little funds and means for advertisement. Past, present and predicted future methods of marketing prove there is room for improvement in affordability through existing advancements. Literature reviews and case studies explore the most lucrative ways forward. Research also indicates that large numbers of potential consumers are missed by small businesses due to their general lack of embracing newer communication technology such as store apps. This extra support measure provides users with notifications that highlight coupons and deals and has a proven record of success for larger …

Living My Best Life Gifting Program, Jessica Gilmore

Masters Theses

Living My Best Life (LMBL) is a qualitative research study that explores how creative products can help provide a positive impact on children. Research shows that various forms of art are utilized in therapy, classroom settings, outreach programs, and in homes to help children overcome complicated, disturbing, and disruptive behavior due to adverse circumstances they have experienced in their life. The research revealed how strategy that utilizes and implements creative products and activities can actually alter the perspective of children in a more productive and optimistic manner. The products serve as long and short-term interventions against negative thoughts and actions. …

Nexgen Create: Graphic Design Interface, Mary Kate Elizabeth Morgan

Masters Theses

Students today do not have many options for college or career preparation in the artistic or creative fields. There are many options when it comes to creative careers that students and parents do not know about. There were 266,300 graphic designers recorded in the US in 2019. Based on the additional graphic designers entering the field and those retiring, in the next 10 years, it is expected that the US will need 16,700 new graphic designers to fill those positions. (See Graphic Designer Overview) This project focuses on teaching the next generation skills in graphic design to apply to college …

Digital Diet: Addressing The Effects Of Social Media & Internet Addiction On Stress And Anxiety Levels In Students, Brianna Janey

Senior Honors Theses

The contents of this thesis will address the effects of social media and internet addiction on stress and anxiety levels within students. The research process began by comprehensively defining the problem as being how online usage affects the levels of stress and anxiety within students. After establishing the problem, a review of existing literature presenting possible solutions to this problem was conducted. Each artifact was assessed for overall effectiveness in relation to the target demographic. Finally, a cohesive digital social good campaign that seeks to encourage students to create mindful online habits is presented as a creative solution that successfully …

Food Packages That Make Choosing Better, Easy, Shelley Tate Garner

Masters Theses

Food packaging with persuasive design components and information can help us make better food buying decisions when it matters most- as we are scanning the grocery aisle. The correct packaging design could make it easy for consumers to determine a healthy choice from a lesser option and be attractive enough to sway decision making, thus leading to a healthier public. Research has been produced in many categories that relates to the dynamic of packaging design and its impact on buying and consumer response. However, no one study seems to bring together the most common elements that influence “healthy” choices at …

Peter Bil'ak, Rebekah Hanover Pettit

Communication Design: Design Pioneers

No abstract provided.

Design For Good, Aaron Roberts

UCARE Research Products

According to the U.S. Center for Disease Control and Prevention, there is a 70 percent rise in the number of overdose cases arriving at emergency departments in the Midwest (Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota, and Wisconsin) since August 2016. The construction industry alone has attributed almost 1,000 deaths to opioid overdoses. This fast-moving epidemic is taking many Nebraska rural communities by surprise.

The goal of this project was to work directly with Professor Colleen Syron, the Communications Director for this project, for translation and dissemination for broader impacts.

This UCare grant project …