Graphic Design Commons^™

Seeing By Creativity: A Creative Execution Designed To Bridge The Gap For The Visually Impaired, Breann Carty

Masters Theses

This research explores how design can simultaneously reach people who are visually impaired, along with those who can see, by integrating inclusive design. Research reveals that the visually impaired are frequently overlooked by graphic designers. These findings further show that blind individuals feel excluded from society. The aim of this study is to generate a collection of work that effectively combines visual design and braille to provide visually impaired people with a similar experience to those who are not disabled. To determine the most effective way of combining design elements and braille, experiments within focus groups were conducted. This exploration …

Visualizing Grief: An Exploration Of The Stages Of Grief Through Image And Design, Audra L. Rygh

Masters Theses

Grief is an emotion that people have felt since the beginning of time, but in modern culture, there is a lack of visual representation of the five stages of grief. Because grief is a highly personal and unique experience, it can be difficult to visualize what those stages may look like for the mass population. However, if one could develop an understanding of what each stage includes, as well as a study of the thoughts and feelings of those who have experienced grief, this research could aid in the creation of an accurate representation of the stages of grief. The …

Goliath Sized Campaign: Promoting Leadership Principles To The Millennial Generation Utilizing A Guerrilla Design Campaign, Ryan Smith

Masters Theses

We are nearing a critical juncture with the retirement of the Baby Boomer generation. The growing demand to replace this workforce with the millennial generation causes us to consider if millennials are up to the challenge. Although this next generation is tech-savvy, resourceful and innovative, many millennials have shared shortcomings including a sense of entitlement, demand for attention and praise and a poor work ethic. Lack of experience and no sense of direction, causes other generations to patiently wait to see what will come of millennials. But through strong leadership development there is hope. By instilling leadership characteristics and encouraging …

For Better, Or For Worse: Photographing In A Digitally Cluttered Crowd, Dale L. Carty Ii

Masters Theses

In recent years, smartphones have been utilized to photograph treasured moments. However, some are unaware they are distracting others in events such as weddings. The distracting smartphone user could potentially obstruct professional wedding photographers and hinder them from capturing priceless shots. The purpose of this thesis is to research the motive behind the addictive nature of smartphones and potentially decrease the number of smartphone pictures taken during the wedding ceremonies. The goal of this study is to bring awareness to the problem and to create a mobile application, which could then reduce the intrusiveness of smartphones during weddings. The researcher …

The Design Librarian: Graphic Design As An Essential Skill, Sarah-Anne Kennedy

Conference Papers

Developing the Library Workforce

Emerging and future skills required in the Library workforce.

The Design Librarian -graphic design as an essential skill.

In 2017 the Library carried out an audit of Library signage. In line with graphic design best practice, institute guidelines, the Official Languages Act 2003, branding and design guidelines were developed. Design guidelines for people with a disability were also incorporated. A team was established to look after all signage design, marketing, and social media. Over the last year, the team has developed a cohesive Library visual identity that promotes our services and resources across a range of …

Spook Fest Style Guide, M. Valenzano

Graphic Design and Media Program: Studio II

This style guide contains branding guidelines for Spook Fest, including logo design, logo use, color palette, and typography.

The Medina Style Guide, J. Llontop

Graphic Design and Media Program: Studio II

This style guide provides branding guidelines include for The Medina, including proper logo usage, typography, and color palette.

Welcome To The Nba: Battle Born Horns, A. Rodriguez

Graphic Design and Media Program: Studio II

This style guide provides branding concepts for the Battle Born Horns including logo and uniform designs, color palette, and typography.

Born & Raised, Jennifer Date

Graphic Design and Media Program: Studio II

This style guide provides branding guidelines include for Born & Raised, a local Las Vegas sports bar. Guidelines include proper logo usage, typography, and color palette.

Rror, Carter D. Johnson

Theses and Dissertations

Building on common definitions of terms such as machine, human, and code, this paper presents a strategy for an art practice that engages with data that has been processed and the processor as actor or character. Material is presented in such a way that rules, guidelines, logic, code, coherence may be viewed as tools to be employed for the use of obtaining and retaining power and control. Presenting digital technologies not only as a mediating force upon physical bodies but also a part of those bodies, and, furthermore, as abject and thus positioned outside an ideological structure of consumer technology, …

Hard Rock Style Guide, Brittni Sacco

Graphic Design and Media Program: Studio II

This style guide provides branding guidelines for Hard Rock Las Vegas, including proper logo use, typography, and color palette.

Life Aquatic, Car Paayas

Graphic Design and Media Program: Studio II

This style guide provides branding guidelines for Life Aquatic, an oceanic exhibition that brings life to the Wes Anderson film The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou. The style guide includes proper employee attire, logo usage, typography, and color palette.

Yeezus, J. Collins

Graphic Design and Media Program: Studio II

This style guide provides branding guidelines for Yeezus, including proper image and logo use, typography, and color palette.

Mickey's Cues & Brews Corporate Style Guide, Dimitre Bakalov

Graphic Design and Media Program: Studio II

This corporate style guide provides branding guidelines for Mickey's Cues & Brews, including employee attire, proper logo usage, typography, and color palette.

Neon Centric Skating Rink, Miranda Melton

Graphic Design and Media Program: Studio II

This style guide provides branding guidelines for Neon Centric Staking Rink, including proper image and logo use, typography, and color palette.

Mave Magazine, Lauren Adams

Senior Honors Projects, 2010-2019

A fashion magazine featuring original photography, articles, advertisements, and graphic design

Studying Abroad: A Travel Campaign, Flora Lindsay

Senior Honors Projects, 2010-2019

This project displays the steps taken in order to create a successful marketing campaign for the Center for Global Engagement at James Madison University. It explores the history of studying abroad, its perceived benefits, concerns, and existing marketing strategies. The client is studied in depth in order to create a SWOT analysis of its current state. From this research a creative strategy statement is created to better understand the target audience, competition and strategies for the campaign. The campaign idea then comes to life in the deliverables to be used by the client for marketing efforts.

Who Is The Fairest Of Them All? Disney’S Depiction Of Non-Normative Embodiment In Its Villainesses, Caroline Bradley

Honors Theses

The world of Disney has long been criticized for the lack of empowered princesses, racial representation, and unrealistic body images in its princess films. While steps have been made to provide a fairer representation through the bodies of the princesses, there has not been much progress in the way villains’ bodies are depicted. Most Disney villains exhibit a form of disability or non-normative embodiment including missing limbs, old age, or fatness. This thesis will analyze the bodies of three well-known Disney villainesses from three different eras—The Evil Queen, Ursula, and Mother Gothel—and will demonstrate how their bodies reflect the historical …

Prescription Packaging Design For The Impaired : A Meta-Analysis., Amber C. Kleitz

College of Arts & Sciences Senior Theses

This thesis is a critical analyzation of the state of prescription drug packaging in the United States with respect to unresolved problems for users with visual, physical, and cognitive impairments. It begins with an anecdotal overview inspired by Deborah Adler’s journey of prescription drug packaging for her grandparents and her design solution outlined by a case study. This case study focuses on the need for better prescription packaging for those with the aforementioned and neglected issues.

This thesis uses studies in user-centered design, packaging design, and industrial design among others in order to critically assess and question the current state …

Cultural Investigation On Typography In Branding In The United States And In Brazil., Carolina C Ganon

College of Arts & Sciences Senior Theses

This cultural thesis is set to investigate the use of typography in branding, and how the same is influenced by cultural aspects, specifically in the United States and Brazil. The contrasting experience I have had as a student of graphic design in these two countries led me to discover the influence culture has in dictating the typography design use in branding. Typography, branding and cultural influences have been significantly researched in the past, but historically as three separate subjects, without focusing on the importance of their association and how they influence one another cross-culturally. Since the impact of graphic design …