Graphic Communications Commons^™

Ux/Ui Hub: User Experience/User Interface Information Hub For Navigating College, Sydney Yae-Rhee Leia Kong

Graphic Communication

The User Experience, User Interface (UX/UI) industry has grown exponentially in the last couple of years. According to a PubMed Central journal article, Understanding UX Better, UX has attracted an increasing interest in recent years, extending the views on usability. This growth exists both in academic institutions and the technology industry, evidenced by increasing numbers of UX-related degrees at undergraduate and graduate levels and also by high job demand (Marques). With this new emergence, the Graphic Communication (GrC) major, specifically the concentration in UX/UI, has caught the attention of numerous prospective Cal Poly SLO students interested in front-end design and …

Paso Robles Children's Museum Redesign, Hannah O. Chan, Shreya Hambir

Graphic Communication

For this project, we plan to redesign the Paso Robles Children's Museum website, utilizing Squarespace. Currently, the website has an outdated look and feel, and the information is somewhat disorganized. Having intuitive navigation is a crucial part of good user experience, as users should not have to dig through the site to find what they are looking for (Hallman, 2022). In our redesign, we plan to regroup related content into sections that mimic websites of other established museums, so the structure is more familiar. The other main issue we want to address is the site’s aesthetic; our goal is to …

Fortnite Crew Subscription Box Process Book, Eleanora M. Gravert

Graphic Communication

Expand Epic Games’ “Fortnite Crew” monthly subscription service to incorporate a deluxe edition which will include physical merchandise as opposed to digital merchandise only. This project will help Epic Games create a more mainstream output of physical products and will help simplify the gamers’ search to find and purchase products that are connected with accuracy and quality to the game they enjoy playing. This opportunity is important to me because it allows me to explore my interest in both the gaming industry and the marketing, production, and design field.

Designing A Brand Identity And Visual Marketing Collateral For Jaxxon Von Baxter, Benson P. Moore

Graphic Communication

This project involves the creation of visual marketing collateral to be used for the album release and ensuing tour of a fictional musician named Jaxxon Von Baxter. Portrayed by Benson Moore in all imagery, this project explores techniques in creative photography, photo editing, illustration, and typography, among others. Ben would like to someday continue as a designer in the music industry and hopes this project will further him down this path.

From Print Propaganda To Meme Activism: The Evolution Of Graphic Communication And Its Effect On Socio-Political Climates And Methods Of Activism, Morgan Grace Gutierrez

Graphic Communication

This project will assess mediums of communication used to create and spread political propaganda, namely from print to digital. The development of graphic communication may provide interesting correlation of how values and ideas are visually represented in society and how the people have reacted to shifting politics. This project is inspired by the recent political climate in the United States, and the continuous impact the media has on the public throughout the many visual forms of communication. Inspiration is also drawn from the advancement of technology in the graphic communication industry. This allows for greater ease of access for the …

How-To Understand And Create Hip-Hop Art, Joshua Wolcott

Graphic Communication

Typography is an essential component of Graphic Communication. The purpose of this study was to bridge typography with hip-hop art. To bridge the two disciplines, hip-hop art was presented in the context that it is actually practiced by these artists. The use of a questionnaire and a drawing lesson was intended to bring the subject within its true context. Presenting the art form in its true context enabled participants involved in the study to understand the art form with the perspective that the discipline, like typography, involves the use of lettering. Participants that were interested in drawing were able to …

Measuring The Effect Of Affordances On A Crash Cart Medicine Packaging, Javier De La Fuente, Daniel Tachibana, Kristen Leemon, Christine Liu, Colleen L. Twomey, Soma Roy, Laura Bix, Scott Bisheff

Graphic Communication

Abstract: In the United States, most drugs stored in crash carts of emergency rooms are packaged in folding cartons with opening mechanisms that involve pressing and tearing the bottom of the package. Anecdotal evidence and a previous study conducted by the research team suggest that these packages are counterintuitive for lay users. The concept of affordances, how design features communicate actionable possibilities, can be applied to improve the usability of packaging. In order to measure the effect of individual design features and previous experience on opening time and error frequency during first opening attempt, a commercially available package for epinephrine …

Integrating Ability-Based Design In Printed Electronics, Kimberly Eder

Graphic Communication

The purpose of the study is to determine if a printed electronic device can be adaptable to the visually impaired, the role that accessible design has in the development of printed electronics, and to determine if integrating accessible design prohibits usability and performance.The findings will provide better understanding of how to modify a printed electronic paper device to suit a wider range of end users and the relationship of usability and accessibility in printed electronics.

Experts in the field were interviewed to get information and feedback about the project.Also, a human research experiment was conducted.Cal Poly students, from different areas …

Printing Transparent Grid Patterns With Conductive Silver Ink With Flexography, Colleen Twomey, Xiaoying Rong, Liam O'Hara, Charles Tonkin, Malcolm Keif

Graphic Communication

The printed electronics market, according to market research firm IDTechEx, is slated to grow from $16.04 billion in 2013 to $76.79 billion in 2023. Printing transparent grids with a known printing process such as flexography is attractive to this market because transparent grids are part of the fast-growing touch screen market (amongst others , and flexography offers a lowcost/high-volume print platform that can handle a variety of substrates, high press speeds, roll-toroll (R2R) printing, and the ability to handle different ink rheologies. However, flexography has print characteristics that can be problematic for printed electronics such as high image (feature) gain …

The Affect Of Versioned Package Design On Various Demographics, Howard E. Vogl, Colleen L. Twomey, Kristen Dang, Alexis B. Kelsey

Graphic Communication

This study challenged the concept of a single best package design for food products. Research found that typography played a crucial role in the consumer’s perception of the quality and the value of a product. It was also found that, based on the consumer’s purchasing intention, the use of type or graphics on a package could have either a positive or a negative affect on consumer perception of product value and quality. In addition, this study pointed out that these variables require careful testing in the marketplace, which can only be achieved in package designs that can be economically tested …

Consumer Perception Of Tactile Packaging, Malcolm G. Keif, Colleen Twomey, Andrea Stoneman

Graphic Communication

A choice-based conjoint study was conducted sampling 400 individuals to determine their preference for Soft Touch and raised tactile coatings, which are sometimes called Hi Rise or profile coatings. Soft Touch coatings have a velvety, warm feel to them, and Hi Rise coatings simulate embossing with a glossy appearance to them. Both are considered tactile coatings, engaging the sense of touch.

Demographic profile data, level of agreement about statements related to cosmetic packaging and packaging choice set selections were collected. The conjoint sets contained three attributes: design color, tactile coatings, and price.

Design choice was split. Approximately half of the …

Fundraising Techniques Of San Luis Obispo Nonprofit Organizations, Samantha Suyemoto

Graphic Communication

The purpose of this study was to identify the strengths and weaknesses of using direct mail and electronic media in the fundraising techniques of local San Luis Obispo nonprofit organizations. The intended audience includes the nonprofits interviewed in each case study as well as the other organizations that fundraise within the San Luis Obispo area. Three case studies of nonprofit organizations within the area were conducted in conjunction with research on various types of funding. Results of this study are intended to benefit the nonprofits by providing more information on successful fundraising habits.

Development Of Mno2 Cathode Inks For Flexographically Printed Rechargeable Zinc-Based Battery, Zuoqian Wang, Rich Winslow, Deepa Madan, Paul K. Wright, James W. Evans, Malcolm Keif, Xiaoying Rong

Graphic Communication

A novel roll-to-roll flexographic printing process for rechargeable zinc-based battery manufacturing was presented in this paper. Based on the fundamental operating mechanism of flexography, key criteria for developing functional flexographic printing inks were established, including composite ink rheology (steady-state viscosity and yield stress), ink wettability as well as ink dispersing qualities. A variety of MnO2 cathode inks were developed and analyzed comprehensively based on these criteria. A novel type of aqueous cathode ink based on PSBR polymeric binder showed excellent flexographic printability as well as promising electrochemical performance.

How To Attract Children And Adults To The Same Beverage Through Package Design, Jessica C. Chaidez

Graphic Communication

The purpose of this study was to determine if children and adults could be attracted to the same beverage through package design. This study surveyed particpants in the San Luis Obispo Area on prefernece of different juice labels. The survey asked the preference of different juice labels based on typeface, size and layout of the logo, contrast, type of substrate, and color. The survey participants were in different age groups ranging from 4 years old to those over 40 years old.

Results from one hundred sixty-one responses indicated although not all age groups were attracted to the same elements of …

User Interface Design For Online Social Media, Jackie R. Hayes

Graphic Communication

The purpose of this study was to identify implementation techniques of a successful user interface for an online social media application. Interviews were conducted with three employees from three separate social media applications to compare how designers approach user interface design differently. The working professionals were asked a series of user interface design questions about the social media application for which they work and help design. The interview responses were compared to the results of the Voice of the Customer (VOC) survey where 100 online social media (OSM) users were surveyed at random about their user interface design preferences within …

Aesthetically Designed Maps: Development And Perception, Catherine Wang

Graphic Communication

This research explored the creative element of subway map creation in light of its effectiveness. Printed subway maps, used often for metropolitan cities and areas, are limited in physical dimension and scale, carrying minimal information. The New York, San Francisco Bay Area, Tokyo, Paris, London and Moscow subway maps highlight similar design and abstraction that fulfill the basic necessary elements for subway patrons. Over the years since the first metro map for each city was created, maps have become more simplified by removing physical land features and reference points to make way for expanding and new subway lines, stations, and …

Development And Manufacture Of Printable Next-Generation Gel Polymer Ionic Liquid Electrolyte For Zn/Mno2 Batteries, R. Winslow, C.H. Wu, Z. Wang, B. Kim, M. Keif, J. Evans, P. Wright

Graphic Communication

While much energy storage research focuses on the performance of individual components, such as the electrolyte or a single electrode, few investigate the electrochemical system as a whole. This research reports on the design, composition, and performance of a Zn/MnO₂ battery as affected by the manufacturing method and next-generation gel polymer electrolyte composed of the ionic liquid [BMIM][Otf], ZnOtf salt, and PVDF-HFP polymer binder. Materials and manufacturing tests are discussed with a focus on water concentration, surface features as produced by printing processes, and the effect of including a gel polymer phase. Cells produced for this research generated open …

The Future Of Zines, Chloe Parks

Graphic Communication

The purpose of this study was to discover if the creation of handmade zines will continue in the future despite the barrage of digital options for those who desire to self-publish. A case study was conducted by interviewing participants from the zine-making community, who shared their thoughts and insights on the medium. The participants responded to questions about the value of zines to society, their personal zine collections, their digital publishing spaces, and where they thought zines were headed. The results of this study found that zines have historically been proliferated for various reasons, and through this have manifested distinct …

Barriers To Sustainable Beverage Packaging, Noelle Shoda

Graphic Communication

The purpose of this study was to determine the reasons for why a company would not implement beverage packaging with recycled content and/or bioplastic and whether or not size of a company plays a factor in its ability to implement sustainable beverage packaging. A face-to-face interview was carried out with industry professionals, as well as an email interview with a beverage company in order to gain insight from two perspectives regarding the main barriers to implementation and effect of size. Trends and companies within the beverage packaging industry were researched to discover what kinds of changes have been made, for …

Iphone Games, Jason Hartnell

Graphic Communication

The purpose of this study was to identify the key features of an iPhone game that make it successful. A survey was given to iPhone users who gave responses to determine the most important factors in choosing a game. The participants rated the games based on Name, Color scheme, Sounds, Ability to level up, Competing against other people, Strategy involved, Rewards for success. The results of this study can be used to determine what users value most in iPhone games and help developers choose features to use when creating a new iPhone game.

The State Of Book Publishig In A Tablet Based Society, Shannon C. Whitehill

Graphic Communication

The adaption of tablets and e-readers for publication purposes will require a lot of work and changes from a design and production team that is set up for print production. Book design in it’s classic form (a bound book printed with ink on paper) is an art form that has been perfected over many centuries. The sudden entrance of the tablet has shaken the print publishing industry.

The Effect Of Cosmetic Packaging On Consumer Perceptions, Sarah Aidnik

Graphic Communication

This project explores the relationship between cosmetic packaging, perceived price, quality, and retail environment. Packaging is often how consumers form their first impression of a product. Consumers can identify “high-end” and “low-end” cosmetics based on the items’ packaging using both conscious and subconscious cues. In a retail environment, this can signal a certain level of quality to a consumer.

In addition to extensive research, a survey was conducted on a sample of 16 women over the age of 18 living in southern and central California who regularly use and purchase cosmetics and skincare from low-end and/or high-end retail environments …

Effect Of Sustainability Package Advertising On Consumer Purchases, Ronald Ringler

Graphic Communication

This research project focused on factors influencing consumers’ purchasing behavior. Specifically, the project focused on sustainability of packaging and attempted to find if sustainability of a package (represented by post-consumer content) affected a consumer’s decision to buy that product. The specific question asked was: “Are consumers willing to purchase a product based on the environmental friendliness of its package even if it goes against the consumer’s brand preference, or if it has a higher price point than competing products?” Research data was gathered through a multi-page survey comprised of seven questions of varying complexity. Participants were primarily aged 18-25 and …

Communication Of Recycling Through Labeling And Packaging, Serena Mistry

Graphic Communication

Recycling has become a more prevalent practice in the last few decades. However, the labeling system on today’s packaging is not always clear in indicating whether something is recyclable. Recently, there has been a great deal of attention directed at a new system, known as the How2Recycle label, an innovative labeling system expected to launch in the next few years. As the population continues to grow at unprecedented levels and more strain is placed on the global environment, recycling becomes more crucial. In the United States, the lack of a standard system for recycling on labeling and packaging deters people …

Setup Reduction For Flexo Printers, Malcolm G. Keif

Graphic Communication

No abstract provided.

Color Measurement On Substrates With Optical Brightening Agents, Howard E. Vogl, Malcolm G. Keif

Graphic Communication

Yellow and blue Pantone colors were printed on a substrate with high Optical Brightening Agent (OBA) levels and then measured under different measurement conditions as outlined in ISO 13655. Both colors exhibited large DEOO shifts with lighter screen tints, as more paper influenced the measurement. The Pantone colors were further analysed after being printed on two different substrates with varying OBAs. While the solids were color-matched to a DEOO of less than 1.0, the tints resulted in DEOO values above 7.0 due to more paper influence in the lighter screen tints.

Current Trends In The Marketing And Promotion Of Movies Using Social Media, Bonnie Wilcox

Graphic Communication

The purpose of this study is to provide further insight into how social media is used to most effectively market new movies.

Color And Brand Design For Multicultural Packaging, Kyle Valdillez

Graphic Communication

The purpose of this study is to determine how companies can use the color and brand design of packaging to effectively communicate their products across multiple cultures. Companies are entering new markets overseas where culture is affecting how a product is being perceived. Whether it is positive, negative, or neutral, they must accommodate these influences to potentially increase profits. This study will specifically explore the Spanish and Japanese cultures in comparison to the American culture, concerning the meanings of various colors and their use in brand design. The research methods used were historical research and content analysis. Through thorough examination …

Going Mobile: A Guide To Mobile Website And Application User Preferences, Kevin M. Weeks

Graphic Communication

Mobile devices are rapidly gaining popularity. There is an increasing demand for individuals who can develop quality mobile websites and applications. In the world of mobile, the most important consideration is the end user. Who is the application or mobile website trying to target and what do they want? This study was designed to determine what users value and whether current developers are accurately reflecting these values. Determining this was accomplished through surveys of mobile users, interviews with mobile web developers, and analysis of successful websites and apps through case studies. The survey included questions to determine what qualities mobile …

Photo Manipulation In The Media, Stephanie Coffaney

Graphic Communication

In today’s society there are photos everywhere; they are in magazines, advertisements, newspapers, and books because photos make the text or the story stand out. Some may not know it, but most of these photos have been edited and retouched. This research paper attempted to determine the majority opinion of what types of photo editing was above the tolerable limit, as well as the public awareness of media manipulation. The different levels of photo editing included changing the contrast, removal of blemishes and dust, addition/removal of objects, and addition/removal of main subjects. The results revealed that most people are aware …