Digital Commons Network^™

Graphic Design For Visual Narratives: The Semiotics Of Diegetic Retrofuturism, Brooke Luke Ballard

Theses

While semiotics, diegesis, and retrofuturism have all been discussed at length in academia, it is uncommon to find the synthesis of all three. When these concepts are combined, it forms what I argue is a new genre of graphic design now prevalent enough in contemporary media to warrant definition and analysis. This thesis first explores the theories of visual semiotics, narrative diegesis, and retrofuturistic aesthetics individually before uniting them as a new design genre. Several candidates for this design classification will then be examined in case studies that meet the criteria of 1) containing a visual language that a modern …

Hypersoft Set With Neutrosophic Sets For Quality Evaluation Of Visual Communication Design Professional Courses, Jing Yao, Xingli Wang

Neutrosophic Sets and Systems

The quality evaluation of the Visual Communication program is a comprehensive assessment of course design, teaching effectiveness, and student learning outcomes. Through evaluation, the rationality of course content, achievement of teaching objectives, and effectiveness of teaching methods can be understood. It helps instructors improve their teaching strategies, ensuring that students acquire the necessary professional skills and theoretical knowledge. Additionally, evaluation results reflect whether the course keeps pace with industry trends and meets the needs of society and the market. Student feedback provides important references for course optimization, driving continuous improvement in teaching quality, and ultimately cultivating outstanding design talents who …

Visual Ecologies And Language In Digital Environments: Narratives From First-Year Composition Students In Multimodal Learning, Elizabeth Escobedo Salazar

Open Access Theses & Dissertations

The expansion of Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) developed new perceptions of learning, communication processes, shaped university students' new practices and has brought about significant changes in social dynamics. Images and visual language have become central to the way humans communicate, communication processes have changed, and the composition and creation of arguments have changes. In this context, the use of multiple screens (Multiscreens) has led to multitasking, but additionally in digital contexts where students are hyper-connected. They do their homework while on social media, texting, creating videos, using a new app, or watching a movie on YouTube or Netflix. This …

Reinforcement Learning In A Virtual World: A Study Of Ppo And Sac Within Unity Ml Agents, Rufat Mammadzada

Chemical Technology, Control and Management

This study explores the use of Unity3D as a versatile platform for developing, training, and evaluating intelligent agents through reinforcement learning. Leveraging the Unity ML-Agents Toolkit, a dynamic 3D environment was created to examine agent learning behavior using two advanced algorithms: Proximal Policy Optimization (PPO) and Soft Actor-Critic (SAC). The simulation environment consisted of navigable terrain bounded by red borders, with collectible blue balls serving as rewards and a purple cube representing the agent. A carefully designed reward system was implemented to encourage goal-directed behavior and penalize inefficiency, while time constraints introduced an additional challenge requiring both precision and speed. …

(Un)Just Transitions For Youth And The Disabled? The Exclusionary Pressures Facing Science, Technology, Engineering And Mathematics (Stem) Education, Elizabeth Done, Helen Knowler, Irina Lazar, Sylvia Hayes, Joshua Lait, Andrea Perez-Porres

School of Law, Humanities and Social Sciences

This paper highlights the under-representation of young people with disabilities in STEM subjects and career pathways, with particular reference to the engineering sector given its prominent role in the design of energy systems related to net-zero policies. We consider the role of physical infrastructure, and pedagogic and representational practices, in facilitating the marginalisation and under-representation of young people with disabilities. Ultimately, we seek a broader understanding of the ‘just transition’ that acknowledges the role of education in ensuring the active participation of all young people, regardless of learning difficulty or disability or social identity, in that transition. The research is …

It Hurts To Become, Ana Maria Joyce

Theses

Using the medium of oil painting, this thesis will investigate the ways that memories of my past inform and distort my perception of reality. Using domestic spaces as a framework in combination with my own body as the subject matter, I am creating compositions that redefine the meaning of home as a concept. Rather than a physical place of comfort, home is a cemetery for past selves that I revisit in my mind and grieve, no matter the time that has passed. By expressing this internal decay through physically scraping and sludging paint onto large scale surfaces, I aim to …

Diverse Legalities: Towards A Legal Theory For A Postcapitalist Political Economy, Amy J. Cohen, Stephen Healy

Law and Contemporary Problems

Law and political economy (LPE) scholars have revived a longstanding debate over the relationship among law, capitalism, and postcapitalist possibility. Is law a creature of capitalism, destined to reproduce its dynamics of exploitation and dominance? Or are there moments of indeterminacy in law that function specifically as openings to a postcapitalist elsewhere?

We enter this debate by posing a different question. Following feminist Marxist economic geographers J.K. Gibson-Graham, we ask what questions arise for LPE scholars if we begin instead with the presumption "that postcapitalist worlds are already here but have been cast into shadow by a singular economic framing …

Fresno’S Scribbles Bike Path: A Master Plan For Active Transportation, Holly Sowles, Uris Giron

Mineta Transportation Institute

The Fresno Scribbles Bike Path Master Plan, which represents a commitment to equitable active transportation and social infrastructure, is designed to enhance the quality of life for Fresno residents by providing safe, comfortable, and accessible biking and walking paths while promoting sustainability and fostering a sense of community. This report details the Intelligent Design Visualization Lab’s (IDVL) ongoing contribution to the Fresno City Scribbles Bike Campus initiative. This multifaceted urban intervention seeks to promote bike and pedestrian safety, enhance environmental resilience, and active transportation infrastructure through design, serving as a form of placemaking. In collaboration with the Fresno State Transportation …

From Face-To-Face To Interface: A Critical Review Of Human Relationships In The Digital Era, Zainb I. Mohammed, Lina M. Shaker

AUIQ Humanities and Social Sciences

The rise of digital technologies has significantly transformed the nature, structure, and experience of human relationships across multiple domains. This review critically examines how digital platforms such as social media, messaging applications, online dating sites, and AI-driven interfaces have reshaped interpersonal connections, including friendships, romantic relationships, and family dynamics. Drawing on interdisciplinary literature from psychology, communication studies, sociology, and media theory, the review explores themes such as digital intimacy, parasocial interactions, performative relationships, remote caregiving, and the ethics of AI-mediated emotional engagement. Special attention is given to underrepresented populations (e.g., older adults, neurodiverse individuals), as well as longitudinal and developmental …

Illustration As A Participatory Tool For Diverse(Queering) Discussions On The Climate Crisis: Exploring The Workshop Method, Devon Tipping

School of Law, Humanities and Social Sciences

This practitioner reflection examines the role of illustration within participatory community settings to facilitate diverse and meaningful discussions on the climate crisis. The focus is on leveraging illustration to challenge traditional modes of climate conversation, emphasising tactical and emotional responses to climate engagement through visual methods rather than relying solely on verbal dialogue. This study involved bringing together LGBTQ+ communities within a city on the South-West Coast of England, UK. Through a series of five illustrative workshops, they provided a platform for participants to share their perspectives and experiences, to highlight the often-overlooked connections between LGBTQ+ identity and the climate …

The Meaning Of Happiness Among Urban Children And Adolescents In Indonesia: A Qualitative Study Through Drawings, Eko Handayani, Dewi Maulina, Winarini W. Dahlan

Psychological Research on Urban Society

Urban children and adolescents face various stressors, including academic pressure, digital media exposure, and limited green spaces, which influence their happiness perception. This study aims to explore the meaning of happiness in children and adolescents living in Indonesia’s urban areas through qualitative research using a drawing-based approach. A total of 243 participants, aged 9-15, from elementary and junior high schools in Jakarta, were asked to draw "I am happy when..." with written brief explanations. Data were analyzed using visual and narrative-thematic approaches across children and adolescents from a developmental psychology perspective. The findings reveal that the images and explanations of …

Redesigning Municipal Logos In Kosovo: Visual Identity, Legal Framework, And Graphic Design Principles, Ardita Rizvanolli, Trim Basha

UBT International Conference

This paper aims to analyze and redesign municipal logos in Kosovo, based on Law No. 03/L-040 on Local Self-Government and the fundamental principles of graphic design. The primary objective is to identify the visual and symbolic elements that contribute to effective logo design and to evaluate their role in shaping community identity. The research methodology includes a visual analysis of the existing municipal logos of Prishtina and Prizren, interviews with professional designers, and a review of relevant literature in the fields of design and visual communication. The selection of these municipalities for comparative analysis was made to ensure geographical and …

Typography In Furniture Design With Emphasis On Minimalism & Postmodernism As Features In Experimental Product Design, Besfort Salihu

UBT International Conference

In contemporary furniture design, the integration of typography has moved beyond traditional graphic applications, evolving into a multidisciplinary design strategy that merges visual communication with material function. This paper investigates three primary approaches to the incorporation of typography in furniture: Typographic Structure, Typographic Patterns, and Typography as a Narrative Layer. The aim is to explore how letterforms can shape not only the aesthetic character but also the structural, functional, and emotional dimensions of furniture design. Through case study analysis, visual documentation, and comparative design methodology, the research examines how typographic elements influence the form, surface, and semantic expression of furniture …

From Advertising To Reality: A Visual Analysis Of Fast-Food Products And Their Impact On Consumer Perceptions, Kaltrina Veselaj Shllaku, Visar Shllaku, Arberesha Hoxha

UBT International Conference

Fast food restaurant chains place great emphasis on presenting their products in advertisements through highly visually appealing images. However, there is an ongoing concern regarding the mismatch between the product shown in advertisements and the one that consumers actually receive. This study aims to identify the visual differences between the advertised product and the real one, as well as to analyze the impact of these discrepancies on consumer perception, brand credibility, and purchasing behavior. A comparative method and visual analysis were applied; statistical data were collected through questionnaires distributed across local and international fast-food chains. A total of 200 questionnaires …

International Conference On Integrated Design, University For Business And Technology (Ubt) In Kosovo

UBT International Conference

UBT Annual International Conference is the 14th international interdisciplinary peer reviewed conference which publishes works of the scientists as well as practitioners in the area where UBT is active in Education, Research and Development. The UBT aims to implement an integrated strategy to establish itself as an internationally competitive, research-intensive university, committed to the transfer of knowledge and the provision of a world-class education to the most talented students from all background. The main perspective of the conference is to connect the scientists and practitioners from different disciplines in the same place and make them be aware of the recent …

Visual Design In Instructional Design: Collaborating With Media Teams To Improve Online Learning, Ashley R. Salter

FDLA Journal

As online learning continues to grow and evolve, instructional designers (IDs) are increasingly called upon to create digital learning environments that are pedagogically sound, visually engaging, and accessible. Visual design—once considered a peripheral element of course development—is now recognized as a critical component of learner experience. This article explores how instructional designers collaborate with media teams or independently use tools like Canva and Adobe to enhance the visual quality of online courses. Through case-based reflection and practical examples, this piece highlights the value of intentional design, the supporting workflows, and the impact on learner engagement and instructional clarity.

Ensuring Ossabaw Island’S Lasting Legacy: Jimmy Carter And The Heritage Trust Act, Ariel Cornett, Cynthia C. Massey, Kathryn L. Haughney, Amanda Wall, Cora Mccaffrey

Teaching Social Studies in the Peach State

These classroom-based activities focus on Jimmy Carter, the Heritage Trust Act, and Ossabaw Island. We developed two short classroom experiences based on Georgia social studies standards with supporting English language arts standards: one classroom experience for second grade and the other for eighth grade. Teachers can adapt content and sequence for their grade levels, schedules, and other school-specific factors. Students will explore the history, culture, and geography of Ossabaw Island, Georgia’s third-largest barrier island. Classroom experiences include different sources, photo analysis, and a range of learning activities with modifications; figures and appendices are included.

The Rider (2025-10-20), Daniela Martinez Salazar

The Rider Archives

Vol. 11, No. 8

Utilizing Interactive Ebook For Language Learning: Designing A Computer-Assisted Approach For Basic English Listening, Ita Sarmita Samad, Umiyati Jabri, Ismail Ismail, Mustakim Mustakim, Rahmad Risan, Imam Akbar

Jurnal Pendidikan: Teori, Penelitian, dan Pengembangan

The low listening skill ability of the students at Muhammadiyah University of Enrekang is a challenge because it is often making them failing to obtain an English competency certificate as a requirement for a proposal seminar. This research aims to develop an interactive eBook to help the students improve their listening skills by focusing on 2 things, doing needs analysis and designing eBook listening prototype. This research uses the research and development (R&D) design. There are 9 English lecturers and 40 students as participants which taken purpossively. The instrument used is a survey and analyzed qualitatively. The results show that …

Developing A Ministry Model That Reengages The Members Of Mount Zion Into Fulfilling God’S Purpose, Desmond Wayde Wallace

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Making a meaningful difference within a ministry that requires intervention demands not only strategic planning and teamwork but also leadership that is unwavering in its commitment to fulfilling God’s purpose through service. The church under review has faced significant shifts within its community beginning in the late 1990s and extending into the early 2000s. Unfortunately, these changes did not lead to the anticipated growth and development; instead, they triggered a noticeable decline within both the ministry and the surrounding area. This decline has had a cascading effect, negatively impacting the community and further eroding the church’s vitality, resulting in decreased …

Using Behavioral Skills Training And In Situ Training To Teach Game-Related Social Skills, Sumeyye Erdem

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Social skills are important for individuals to be successful, therefore programs that seek to improve social skills of individuals with autism and other disabilities are important (e.g., Agran et al., 2016; Miltenberger et al., 2017). The context of playing games has been used to teach children specific skills and may be a valuable way to promote generalization of social skills (e.g., Amadi et al., 2022; Radley et al., 2014). The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of behavioral skills training (BST) for teaching social skills to children and adolescents using a game format and assess whether these …

J Am Coll Dent 2022 89 1

Journal of the American College of Dentists

The Journal of the American College of Dentists (JACD) publishes scholarly articles, editorials, essays, and reflections addressing the ethical, professional, and social dimensions of dentistry. The Journal serves as a forum for advancing ethics, professionalism, leadership, and excellence within the dental community. By fostering dialogue across disciplines and perspectives, JACD provides readers with insights that encourage ethical, professional practice, lifelong learning, and service to the public, reinforcing dentistry’s commitment to advancing oral healthcare and the common good.

Challenges And Opportunities In Concrete Precast Sector And Its Transition To A Net-Zero Future, Sreejith Nanukuttan, Rory Doherty, Daniel Mcpolin, Marios Soutsos, Mark Russell

International Conference on Durability of Concrete Structures

This article explores key factors shaping the transition of the precast concrete sector toward net-zero carbon. While not exhaustive, it highlights areas of scientific and technical interest for a specialist audience. The discussion is structured around priority themes: beginning with cement and clinker replacement, followed by production efficiency improvements, rethinking steel usage, carbon sequestration strategies, and, finally, structural optimisation or volume reduction. These areas are often interdependent: for instance, clinker replacement, production efficiency, and structural optimisation are all influenced by the 16 – 18 hour production cycle typical of precast manufacturing. Unlike the readymix sector, precast operates on a fast-paced, …

Speech Delivery Versus Speech Content: How Do Non-Expert Audiences Assess Public Speeches?, David G. Levasseur, Elizabeth A. Munz

Basic Communication Course Annual

Public speaking classes should ideally produce students whose speeches are favorably received by an audience. Unfortunately, we actually know very little about how non-expert audiences assess such speeches. Given this information gap, the present study asked untrained public speakers to watch and rate a variety of speeches. Participants were also asked to provide qualitative comments to justify their speech ratings. These qualitative comments were content analyzed, and the content analysis results revealed that participants’ evaluative observations: (1) focused much more on speech delivery than on speech content; (2) referenced specific nonverbal channels (e.g. eye contact) more than combined nonverbal clusters …

“It Would Just Show The Teachers Don’T Care”: Exploring Student Perceptions Of Introductory Communication Courses And Instructor Value In The Ai Era, Brandi N. Frisby, Joe C. Martin, Jessalyn I. Vallade, Renee Kaufmann

Basic Communication Course Annual

As generative AI grows in popularity, so do the concerns regarding whether this technology has the capability to effectively teach written and oral communication skills, thereby affecting the perceived value students place on introductory communication courses (ICC). This study sought to address that concern by asking students to provide qualitative and quantitative responses on (a) the effect of generative AI on their development of essential communication skills, (b) the value of the ICC in the face of generative AI capabilities, and (c) perceptions of instructors’ use of generative AI for instructional responsibilities. Results highlight students’ preference for human instruction over …

Identifying Older Adult Orthopedic Patients’ Learning Styles For Tailored Communication And Health Literacy, Alexis Flippen Von Zimmer

Pacific Journal of Health

Effective patient communication supports health literacy, treatment compliance, and health outcomes. This study examined whether older adult orthopedic patients’ learning style modality preferences differ from general population norms and characterized their multimodal communication preference profiles to inform tailored provider–patient interactions. Using the Barsch Learning Style Inventory (BLSI), 57 English-speaking male orthopedic patients (50+ years) in a semi-rural Northern California practice were assessed. Primary learning modality distributions (n = 50 with single primary preferences) differed significantly from the BLSI theoretical norms using an exact multinomial goodness-of-fit test (p = 0.048), with fewer auditory learners and more kinesthetic learners than expected. …

An Analysis Of The Process Enhancing Civic Pride Among Participants In The Participatory Local Public Relations 'Koba Output Lab', Linxuan Tan

ServDes Conference Series

This study examines the Participatory Local Public Relations(PLPR) initiative "Koba Output Lab" in Japan, analyzing how citizen engagement in graphic design fosters Civic Pride and social cohesion. Using the Modified Grounded Theory Approach (M GTA), the study finds that participation enhances regional understanding, strengthens community bonds, and improves expressive abilities. Through Citizen Coproduction, participants transitioned from initial indifference to expressing local values. This study contributes to Participatory Design and offers insights for local governments, demonstrating how Service Design facilitates "diversity-driven" and "long-term impact" approaches in Social Innovation.

Me, Myself, And The Influencer: Examining How Parasocial Interaction And Self-Congruence With Social Media Influencers Affects News Media Trust, Ben Wasike

Communication Faculty Publications

Social media influencers (SMIs) develop unique relationships with their followers, including high levels of trust and credibility. This study examined how these influencer–follower relationships affect news media trust with a focus on actual self-congruence, ideal self-congruence, parasocial interaction (PSI), and source and message credibility. Data showed that respectively, positive correlations exist between each of these variables and news media trust. However, ordinary least squares (OLS) regression only showed direct effects of actual self-congruence and PSI on trust, while message credibility had a negative effect. Structural equation modeling showed that actual self-congruence positively mediated the relationship between PSI and trust. Overall, …

Consciousness Below Scuba Depths, Michael Vecchione

Animal Sentience

Abstract: Jennifer Mather has nicely summarized what is known about consciousness in shallow water octopods as well as what is known about shallow water squids and cuttlefish. However, once she gets below SCUBA depths, she misses out on most of cephalopod diversity. I have attempted to add this aspect and perhaps some evolutionary biology to this target article.

Examining Iot-Enhanced For Current Developments In Face Image Authentication (Fia) Methods And Their Drawbacks, Marwa Jamal Hadi, Emaan Ouudha Oraby

Al-Esraa University College Journal for Engineering Sciences

The quick development of IoT and facial image manipulation (FIM) algorithms, as well as the growth of their user-friendly applications, highlight the pressing need for manipulation detection methods. These techniques need to demonstrate how face photos have been altered and validate their legitimacy. The scientific community has recently taken notice of the phrase “DeepFakes” and methods for detecting them. Take note of the latest methods for identifying watermark-based face image modification as well. The important thing to remember is that every one of these methods has its own set of drawbacks. This study provides a brief introduction to face image …