Digital Commons Network^™

Humor As An Element In Graphic Design, Jason J. Snape

Theses

This documentation of my MFA thesis presents my process and progress through an investigation of the relationships between humor and graphic design. Notations in the side column provide resource information and refer to appendices located in the second section of the document.

A New Image Of The Mandala With Fibers, Sue-Hyun Lee

Theses

None provided.

A Comparison Of Paper Whiteness Rankings: Visual Vs. Instrument Generated, Lawrence David Harris

Theses

The purpose of the study was to find if a correlation exists between a previously conducted visual whiteness ranking of 128 sheets of white office paper, from various manufacturers, and a ranking generated by affordable hand held colorimeters. Two different hand held colorimeters were used to measure the 128 sheets. The output from the colorimeters was in CIE chromaticity coordinates and CIELAB L* a* b* values. The lightness (L*) value was used to make a ranking for comparison to the visual ranking. The chromaticity coordinates were used for computing CIE Whiteness. The resulting whiteness index values were used to form …

A Metaphysical And Linguistic Approach To Type Design And Typography, Ivan Terestschenko Rocha

Theses

Significant changes have taken place in the type design as a result of what has often been termed "the desktop revolution." With the popularization and increased availability to the average person of typographic tools formerly available only to professionals type is slowly moving into the realm of personal communication. This move has sparked significant controversy among the various schools of typographic thought, but little consensus exists. As well, technological developments are contributing to a widening of the definition of what constitutes a typeface. This study, then, will examine the current views of type design as an art form and the …

Color Technology, Denise Rule

Theses

None provided.

Virtual Reality, Education And The Macintosh, Paul Cofrancesco

Theses

The purpose of my thesis is to present Virtual Reality as a tool in aiding Education. I used the Macintosh computer as the driving base of my project, and configured inexpensive commercially available computer peripherals as input devices. I investigated the effectiveness with which virtual worlds can present information, as well as studied the use of low cost software, input devices and drivers currently avail able on the Macintosh Computer. In addition, this thesis describes the strength, weaknesses and concerns involving the use of Virtual Reality in learning and the limitations of the current technology.

Brazen Idols, Todd Alan Pinkham

Theses

None provided.

Perkins Green Iii: Proposed Married And Graduate Student Housing, Chou-Tein Lin

Theses

When I first came to Rochester Institute of Technology (R.I.T.) to study in the graduate program, I settled in an apartment supported by the school, because I was a new-comer and knew nothing about the surroundings. Racquet Club, a housing complex five minutes from school, is a 307-unit-townhouse-apartment, student housing area with three tennis courts and one large grass slope as its open space. I was very satisfied by this beautiful scene and thought it would be a good place to live and study. Later, however, I found sometimes, especially on weekends, there was too much noise from parties taking …

Conversion Of Solid Ink Density And Dot Gain Specifications Into Colorimetric Specifications, Theera Tangvichachan

Theses

With the advent of the spectrophotometer as an alternative to the densitometer for pressroom applications, it becomes desirable to use a single three-color overprint halftone gray patch for controlling color on the press. As a consequence, the need for new specifications in colorimetric units, rather than SID and dot gain units, arises. The purpose of this study was to conduct a mathematical conversion of the traditional SID and dot gain specifications into the colorimetric specifications, in terms of the CIELAB coordinates. The FIPP dot gain and SID specifications were applied to the gray patch contained in the Gretag CMS3 color …

Cross-Disciplinary Use Of Metaphor, Jeff Arbegast

Theses

The initial thesis proposal was grand in scope. I wanted to create a methodology, a process that could assist R.I.T students in approaching problems with a metaphorical mindset. The metaphorical mind would be a mind that could approach a creative problem making rich associations and connections.

Graphic Design Career Information, Danielle Grace Plouffe

Theses

None provided.

Figurative Emotion, Jeff Kell

Theses

None provided.

A Comparison Of The Photochemical Reproduction Quality From Color Negative Films Versus Color Transparency Films, Dawn Dubois

Theses

Color transparency film is the most frequently used original material in the color separation process. Recent technological advances in color negative film and electronic color generated scanners capable of working from a color negative have led to new avenues of exploration in the area of color separation. By using a color negative film as the original it may be possible to produce color separations of equal or higher quality than those produced from color transparencies. This research project has investigated the possibility that a set of color separations made from an Eastman Kodak Ektar color negative could yield a set …

Prelude To Teambuilding: The Nature Of Modernity, Fred Klein

Theses

Professional management defines itself by the particularistic (dominant) view that shapes the form and conduct of its activities. Modern management theory and practice is primarily the outcome of the greater espoused views of positivistic science. This has permeated a conscription to an attitude that is considered "factually" appropos to conduct research and inquiry. "Reality" has thus become categorized to derivatives of Newtonian science. While there is no disputation that this perspective and its conjointed methodology has a basis in the confluences that interact on materialistic reality (objective world), newer insights dispute its absolutistic form. The principle import of the newer …

Decision Making Environments In The Meeting Planning Industry, Chia-Mei Johanna Liu

Theses

This was a pilot study on the decision making environments in the meeting planning industry. A critical incident questionnaire which was developed by Boone & Kilmann (1988) and later used by Janet Barnard (1992) in her research "Decision Environments of Small Firms" was adapted. The questionnaires were mailed to 210 samples which were randomly chosen from members of Meeting Planners International in four states, and there were 30 valid responses received. Among those 30 respondents, the majority (70%) are female meeting planners. Most of the participants are over 30 years old, and their years of experience in the meeting planning …

Quality Of Work Life In The Hotel Industry, Gina Marie Santercole

Theses

This study provides hotel organizations with information that reveals the feelings, perceptions, and attitudes of it's employees. By examining an employee's quality of work life, an organization can determine how they are doing internally, from an employee's point of view, which ultimately effects their "moments of truth" externally, with their customers. A nine item, five point scale, Quality of Work Life Survey was administered to the employees and managers from four hotel properties. These properties, located in different geographical locations and each targeting a specific market segment, provided an interesting and diverse 292 person sample. Results revealed agreement and disagreement …

Coping With Incurable Disease: Multiple Sclerosis, Frieda R. Faber

Theses

Research was conducted to determine if there was a correlation between the ability of persons with multiple sclerosis (MS) to cope with their disease and several other variables which could be related to coping skills. More than two-thirds of the 98 subjects in the sample regularly attended MS support groups . The ability to cope was measured by a scale developed by Brooks & Matson (1982). The independent variables were : self-esteem factors, vulnerability to stress, depression, severity of disability, general health factors, length of illness and age. Data was statistically analyzed £or the total sample and separately by female …

The Self-Concept And Symbolic Consumption; Their Effect On Consumer Behavior, Cory L. Dobbs

Theses

A major issue confronting consumer researchers and other investigators of social-psychological phenomena is whether individuals are motivated to purchase products that symbolically are congruent with their self-concept.

This issue is of particular importance to consumer and marketing researchers, since much of their data and resulting actions depend on the decision processes leading up to the consumer's choice of product for consumption. Examining the relationship between the self and consumption through congruence of self-images and images of owned or desired products reveals that the consumer regards his or her consumed products as expressive of themselves.

Perception plays a critical role in …

Sexual Harassment: A Pilot Study In The Hotel Industry, Wen-Yi Tera Chung

Theses

Several studies have documented the existence of sexual harassment in workplaces in society-at-large. This pilot study seeks to determine whether sexual harassment is higher within the hotel industry than in workplaces in society-at-large, whether men and women react differently to sexual behaviors in the workplace, and whether those differences vary by department. In addition, the study seeks to determine hotel employees knowledge of the existence of policies and procedures on sexual harassment within one hotel property, to identify the initiators of sexually harassing behaviors, to suggest implications for management, and to provide a data base for future research. Sixty-nine employees …

The Effects Of Video-Based Sales Training Methods And Feedback On Field Sales Performance, Michael T. Simorka

Theses

This thesis focused on the effects of video-based sales training methods on field sales performance. The study also evaluated the effects of feedback systems on performance.

Research in the field of training methodology presents a positive review of "high technology" methods . Most of the studies focus on the benefits of easy administration , reduced cost or improved performance . However, most reviews are anecdotal . There is little empirical data which studies the use of these medium and their effects on field sales performance.

In reviewing the research on feedback systems, the studies have shown that feedback can have …

Weight Loss In Alzheimer's Disease: A Comparison Of Care Options, Linda Dyhouse Kaiser

Theses

The purpose of this culminating project is to examine the care of Alzheimer's disease patients residing in a special care unit with the care received by those residing with the general nursing home population. More specifically, it compared the weights of patients on a special care unit with the weights of patients housed with the general nursing home population.

According to demographic information, the fastest growing cohort of the population is the older-old. This data is of great significance to health care providers for it is the 80 and above age group that are prime candidates to develop Alzheimer's disease. …

Case Study Of Blackjack Dealers; Their Work Environment And Their Relationship With Management, Linda Anne Weintraub

Theses

Not listed.

The Use Of High-Tech Sales Recruitment In The Data Communications Industry, John J. Speraneo

Theses

The purpose of this study is to conduct a research investigation of the use of executive recruitment. While corporate America automates and downsizes in order to compete in the worldwide market, workers try to find creative ways to market themselves and use the best means to locate jobs in this competitive environment.

The main focus of this study is to determine the primary means used to locate high-tech sales positions in the data communications industry. This could vary from executive recruiters, classified ads, personal referrals, and other miscellaneous methods.

The following paper is an empirical study, designed to provide an …

Management By Objectives: A Cost/Benefits Analysis Toward Achieving Organizational Goals, John J. Mueller

Theses

This thesis will focus on the management process commonly known as Management by Objectives in an attempt to determine if this type of management is a viable option for companies to employ.

In its simplest form management by objectives has been around for hundreds of years. The modern day version of this management technique developed in the early 1950's due in large part to the writings of Peter Drucker . MBO's popularity grew slowly at first, but by the late 1960's and early seventies this management technique took hold in the United States and spread to corporations both large and …

Adding New Life To Years: A Senior Peer Exercise Program, Cynthia Lymm Pearl Nayer

Theses

The thesis "Adding New Life to Years: A Senior Peer Exercise Program" explores the development and impact of a peer-led exercise program aimed at improving physical, social, and emotional health among older adults. Recognizing the challenges associated with aging—such as decreased mobility, social isolation, and chronic health issues—the study focuses on engaging active seniors as volunteer leaders to conduct low-intensity exercise classes for frail elderly participants.

This program aims to foster mutual benefits: healthy senior volunteers experience enhanced self-worth, social engagement, and physical fitness, while the frail elderly improve in areas like blood pressure, mood, and perceived self-efficacy. Grounded in …

Time, Temperament, And Talent: The Dynamics Of Sustainable Organizational Commitment, Charlotte A. Sullentrup

Theses

Organizational commitment is one of many linkages between employees and employing organizations. It cannot be established as the cause of, or demonstrated to be caused by, other dependent or independent variable constructs, and it cannot be uniformly or conclusively correlated with them, singly or in combination.

Rather, organizational commitment exists in a dynamic and shifting matrix of other employee/organization linkages such as job satisfaction, job performance, work experiences, productivity, etc. The relative strengths, perceived priorities, and consequences of these variables in the matrix are, in turn, functions of the continuously changing characteristics of time, temperament, and talent of both the …

The Impact Of Decision Style On Decision Quality, William E. Niedringhaus

Theses

This thesis focuses on the study of decision style and the effects each styles characteristics has on decision quality.

Each personality style exhibits specific characteristics unique to t hat particular style . These characteristics in conjunction with the decision makers cognitive abilities form a unique problem solving or decision style. Characteristics of each style have been operationalized by the Myers-Biggs Type Indicator.

Decision quality is measured, for purposes of this paper, in terms of the impact the decision maker's style has on the decision outcome . Decision quality is measured separately from decision success since successful decisions require more than …

Tales From Around The Kitchen Table, Nancy Jean Sabath Freeman

Theses

The introduction to this project, entitled "The Value of Writing," discusses the author's experience of writing, both in her personal life and her career as a writing teacher. The main focus is on writing that is done on a regular basis, as with keeping a journal or diary, and how that activity can lead to emotional, psychological and spiritual growth. Research includes opinions from many prominent writers and teachers of writing about the value of writing in general. The remainder of the project includes samples of the author's short stories, personal narratives and essays, and poetry, which she believes have …

A Telemarketing Supervisor's Reference Manual To Humanistic Skills, Andrea K. Gubitz

Theses

This thesis will focus on the study of telemarketing management and the need for a telemarketing management guide. A reference manual will be developed to help a supervisor understand the skills needed to be an effective supervisor. This manual will also be a reference to help the supervisor evaluate their skills and give them the information needed to increase their skills as well as develop new skills.

Telemarketing Supervisor training usually consists of how to give evaluations and explaining company goals. Supervisors are not usually given an overview of the proactive humanistic skills needed; communication, interpersonal leadership, etc. The humanistic, …

The Design And Implementation Of A Business Plan For A Neighborhood Inn, Edward L. Beck

Theses

This project will focus on the study of the eating and drinking establishment industry. Information was gathered for the purpose of constructing a business plan for The Haven.

Research has indicated that the owner of an inn must be concerned with several factors associated with the successful operation of an inn, those being: industry data, specific company data, financial data, and marketing data. The Haven inn's business plan was formed by utilizing information from each of these areas.

Once The Haven's business plan was completed, two members of the eating and drinking establishment industry were chosen to judge the plan's …