Art and Design Commons^™

Farmstead Therapy: Intergenerational Connection And Sense Of Place Via Equine Therapy, Kaleb Griffeth

Student Research Symposium

Therapy has become a crucial element within society. It has offered relief, understanding, and hope for a changed future to hundreds of millions of people just in the last five years (SAMHSA, 2004).

On another front, division between generations seems to be growing by the month. Political, social, and economic differences between generations “X”, “Z”, Alpha, and Baby Boomers make it appear that there is no connection whatsoever across age gaps.

Because equine therapy has proven a succesful branch, especially for those of a younger demographic, Farmstead Therapy was a project designed to bring together the skills of the older …

Terra Sol Retreat: Combining Ancient Building Principles And Modern Technology To Design A Sustainable Desert Resort, Christian Graham

Student Research Symposium

Ancient desert civilizations developed ingenious building techniques to adapt to extreme heat, scarce water, and harsh winds. One of the most effective strategies was the use of thermally massive materials such as adobe, rammed earth, and stone, which absorbed heat during the day and released it at night, creating natural temperature regulation. The Navajo (Diné) hogan, a traditional dwelling of the American Southwest, exemplifies this principle. Hogan walls were often built with packed earth and timber, providing insulation against both the searing daytime heat and the frigid desert nights. Their circular shape also helped distribute heat evenly, while the entrance …

Human Centered Library Design, Myriam Musgrave

Student Research Symposium

Odyssey Childrens Library is designed as a dynamic and adaptable space that fosters learning, creativity, and community engagement. Inspired by the ocean, the architecture and interiors reflect fluid, organic forms and a calming yet invigorating color palette. The layout balances open, social areas with quiet, reflective spaces, ensuring a welcoming environment for all users. With a focus on flexibility, the library includes adaptable study rooms, a collaborative makerspace, and a multi-purpose community area that can host events, workshops, and group activities. Thoughtful wayfinding, varied seating options, and intuitive zoning create a seamless user experience. The Odyssey Library is more than …

Sorella Women's Center - Fortifying Community Through Trauma-Informed Design, Melayne Dunlap

Student Research Symposium

Sorella Women’s Center is a trauma-informed community resource designed to support and empower women, particularly survivors of domestic violence, who often face limited access to critical services. Rooted in the principles of safety and trust, choice and empowerment, collaboration and community, and beauty and joy, the center provides a welcoming, accessible space for healing and growth. Sorella offers legal advocacy, emotional support, mental health resources, and skill-building opportunities to help survivors regain autonomy and build strong, supportive networks. By fostering connection and resilience, Sorella seeks to break the cycle of abuse, countering the isolation that so often sustains it.

Using Biophilic Design To Improve Behavioral Healthcare Environments, Rachel Tuft

Student Research Symposium

One in five U.S. adults – more than 50 million people – experience a mental health episode every year and more than 11% of children are considered severely depressed (Mental Health America). These alarming statistics are rapidly increasing the demand for behavioral healthcare environments. Yet many of these spaces remain sterile, institutional, and lack the warmth and comfort patients need for effective healing. Research shows that as people spend more and more time indoors the lack of connection to nature in contemporary-built environments is negatively impacting human well-being, leading to increased stress, reduced focus, and slower healing. Studies suggest that …

Goodwater Elementary School, Sara Jones

Student Research Symposium

Goodwater Elementary School is designed as a replacement for the existing Castle Dale Elementary School that the community has outgrown. Serving multiple small towns in the area, this elementary school plays an important role in both education and socialization as the area is sparsely populated.

Empathy In Type, Lauren Watts

Student Research Symposium

This exploration of typography included a survey of questions with typeface examples. The questions paired similar and contrasting typefaces in order to correctly identify characteristics that portray empathy.

Elements Of Design In Frank Lloyd Wright’S Usonian Architecture, Jillian Ereú

Student Research Symposium

“The word “Usonian” (United States of North America) is attributed to writer James Duff Law, who wrote in 1903, “We of the United States, in justice to Canadians and Mexicans, have no right to use the title ‘Americans’ when referring to matters pertaining exclusively to ourselves.” Wright referenced this quote, misattributing it to writer Samuel Butler in Architecture: Selected Writings 1894–1940: “Samuel Butler fitted us with a good name. He called us Usonians, and our Nation of combined States, Usonia.”” (Wright, 2017)

Designing Healing Environments For Pediatric Oncology, Annette Cheng

Student Research Symposium

Children undergoing cancer treatment often spend extended time in clinical environments that can feel cold, stressful, and isolating. This study explores how nature-based and sensory-focused design can serve as positive distractions to support pediatric patients' emotional well-being during treatment. Features such as lighting, green spaces, soft color palettes, aesthetics of the environment, and interactive elements are examined for their ability to create more comforting, human-centered hospital environments. These environments not only benefit young patients and their families but also improve the overall well-being and performance of healthcare staff by reducing stress, increasing job satisfaction, and promoting a more supportive workplace …

The Impact Of Light And Color On Child-Friendly Spaces, Moriah Martin

Student Research Symposium

Light and color significantly affect children's sleep, cognition, mood, and overall health. Proper design can enhance emotional stability, learning outcomes, and physical well-being. This research explores how light quality—brightness, saturation, and hue—along with color psychology, influence behavior, cognitive function, and circadian rhythms. Natural light improves focus, sleep, and mood, while artificial lighting must be carefully balanced to prevent disruptions. Warm colors foster energy and engagement, while cool tones promote relaxation and concentration. Findings highlight the importance of evidence-based lighting and color strategies in educational and childcare settings, ensuring environments that support children's holistic development.

Typography Psychology In Luxury Fashion Branding, Gabrielle Foalu

Student Research Symposium

Nóra is a luxury Hungarian fashion house renowned for its conceptual designs and attention to detail. With a legacy of intellectual creativity and innovation, Nóra is defined by its use of unexpected materials and striking silhouettes, blending avant-garde minimalism with historical influences. Nóra's commitment to artistry and craftsmanship results in garments and accessories that are purposeful and elegant, created for individuals who appreciate heritage, precision, and exceptional design.

Nóra wants to be perceived as intellectual, avant-garde, well-crafted, and distinctive.

How Cultural Differences Affect A Country's Movie Poster., Cater Leland

Student Research Symposium

No abstract provided.

Multi-Sensory Graphic Design, Rylee Mottishaw

Student Research Symposium

Multi-sensory design is a design approach that enhances user engagement by integrating multiple senses into the design experience. While traditional graphic design primarily relies on visual perception, emerging research highlights the profound influence of multi-sensory elements in shaping user interaction, emotional response, and information retention.

Grapholinguistics In Graphic Design, Cameron Schumann

Student Research Symposium

Writing systems function as more than linguistic tools; they serve as powerful cultural and aesthetic symbols that influence branding, fashion, and multimedia design. Through an examination of typographic symbolism, foreign scripts evoke themes of mystery, exoticism, brutalism, constructivism, and authoritarianism, shaping consumer perception and artistic narratives.

Where Is The Contemporary Design?, Anna Nelson

Student Research Symposium

Contemporary Design can be described as Design that is reflective of current trends and attitudes in design, specifically post-modern aesthetics and approaches that move beyond past stylistic and theoretical choices, even though it may be referential to the past.

Moral Fibre In Their Very Design, Annie Zaugg

Student Research Symposium

Superheroes shift with the times, their designs molded by what America needs in a champion. Early heroes like Superman were bold and bright- his flowing cape, broad chest, and primary colors embodying strength, leadership, and moral certainty. Draped in red and blue, he was a walking flag, a beacon against distant threats.

Typeface Research In Music, Raquel Nielsen

Student Research Symposium

For my research, I analyzed around 60 album covers from well-known Indie Folk artists. My goal was to observe how the typefaces used on the covers related to the genre's emotional and aesthetic qualities. I paid attention to the style of typography, considering whether the typefaces were more traditional (serif), modern (sans serif), or personal and expressive (handwritten).

The Visual Benefits Of Freeway Sans In Comparison To Highway Gothic, Bryson King

Student Research Symposium

A badly designed road sign might kill you: Death by Typography is a real possibility.

The Brutally Ugly: The Misconceptions And Perceptions Of Brutalism In Design, Brianna Tomadakis

Student Research Symposium

Brutalism in design is often labeled as "brutally ugly," with its harsh use of raw materials, sharp angles, and exposed structures. This label of "brutally ugly" is often appled to both graphic designs and its original inspiration of architecture. This stark, unpolished aesthetic challenges traditional notions of beauty, leaving many to view it as cold or uninviting. However, this style was originally designed as a way to vear away from conceptions of nationalism. The style is not purposely ugly rather it has a more focus on functionalism rather than decoration. Brutalism was intended to be practical, economical, functional, and long-lasting, …

Creative Inequality, Ginger Anderson

Student Research Symposium

Does an art degree define success? Some of the world's most famous artists never set foot in a classroom. However, formal training often provides essential technical skills and industry connections. So, is artistic success about raw talent or learned expertise?