Digital Commons Network^™

Developing Publics In Companies Through Infrastructuring For Data-Driven Workplaces In Japan, Masako Kitazaki, Riichiro Take, Ryoko Koborita, Yuichi Nakamura

IASDR Conference Series

This study investigates how the participatory design concept of infra structuring and the formation of a public manifests differently in Japanese workplaces under data-driven management. Building on recognized pillars for public formation—incorporation of authority, development of attachment, and cultivation of ownership—we explore how these elements are shaped by Japan's unique organizational and cultural dynamics. Although employees in Japan express concerns about data use in the workplace, such as potential increases in bias, discrimination, deskilling, and unsafe practices, these anxieties rarely lead to open discussion or collective action. We argue that socio cultural factors, including a deep-rooted emphasis on harmony and …

Experience Economy Theory-Based Brand Design Research: Case Studies Of Macau Souvenirs, Kaixing Liu, Weijia Wang

IASDR Conference Series

In recent years, with the rise of the "experiential marketing" concept, enhancing the consumer purchasing experience is a topic of significant discussion in both academia and industry. As a distinctive local specialty of Macau, local souvenirs brands suffer from severe homogenization, which diminishes consumer purchase intention. Furthermore, intense market competition and high operational costs pose significant challenges to brand operations. Improving the consumer experience in purchasing souvenirs stimulates purchase intention, thereby addressing the sales challenges that souvenir brands face. At present, sufficient research on how brand experience design influences the consumer shopping experience is lacking. From the perspective of the …

Mapping Taiwan's Design Ecosystem: A Policy-Oriented Approach, Tang-Ling Kuo, Li-Ting Huang

IASDR Conference Series

Amid the rising international recognition of design as a driver of innovation, this study addresses a gap in the design policy literature regarding the under representation of non- Western perspectives by adapting and contextual ising European-derived ecosystem frameworks to Taiwan’s unique policy environment. This paper presents a comprehensive case study of Taiwan’s design ecosystem, using a policy-oriented mapping approach to support agenda-setting and the formation of a national design policy. Drawing on a mixed-methods participatory design research process (2020–2024), the study conducts a stakeholder analysis, performs a strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats (SWOT) assessment, and offer strategic policy recommendations. The …

Visual Translation Of Sustainable Brand Strategy: A Packaging Design Application, Yun-Fei Li

IASDR Conference Series

In the growing emphasis on sustainability communication, brands increasingly rely on visual design to convey core values such as nature, transparency, and responsibility. Yet translating established sustainability strategy indicators into tangible, consistent visual languages remains a critical gap in design practice. Building on Li’s (2025) framework of five dimensions and seventeen strategy indicators, this study invited senior designers with extensive experience in sustainable personal care products to interpret and generate rich visual vocabularies. Using the KJ method, over 200 items were clustered into ten distinct design expressions—such as “trust and quality assurance,” “eco-friendly materials and packaging visibility,” and “emotional and …

Bridging Data Gaps In Automotive Hmi: A Triple Diamond Framework For Data-Driven Design And Cross-Functional Collaboration Through Interactive Dashboard, Zhenli Liu

IASDR Conference Series

Automotive Human-Machine Interface (HMI) innovation faces a critical paradox: user-centred design in software-defined vehicles requires agility. However, this demand conflicts with the rigidity of manufacturing's stage-gate processes, resulting in a systemic challenge. This research delves into the complex issues of fragmented data practices and cross-functional collaboration in HMI design. A mixed- methods qualitative study within an automotive UX design department revealed barriers including varying data literacy, fragmentation, and silos. To address these challenges, the research introduces emerging technology - Business Intelligence (BI) System that enables real-time visualisation of data and facilitates seamless access across multidisciplinary teams by user insights dashboard, …

Heuristic Evaluation Of Interaction Structure For A Pediatric Emotional Care Mobile App, Chia-Yin Yu

IASDR Conference Series

This study presents the user-centered development and heuristic evaluation of a mobile application designed to support emotional care for children aged three to six during medical visits. Drawing on a spiral development model, the research integrated expert interviews, caregiver surveys, and user interviews to define user needs, identify use scenarios, and establish a comprehensive interaction structure. Four primary functions were proposed: (1) symptom tracking, (2) health education, (3) disease information, and (4) therapeutic games. Based on the defined structure, a static prototype was created and evaluated through a heuristic evaluation by five interdisciplinary experts using Nielsen’s usability principles. The heuristic …

Hybrid Prototyping Design Framework For Npd: A Case Study Of Industry-Academia Collaboration, Tsu-Yu Shen, Chien-Hsu Chen, Wei-Ting Hsiao, Tse-Yen Yeh

IASDR Conference Series

With the increasing digitization of design tools, virtual collaboration has become increasingly prevalent in design teams. Within teams composed of members from diverse backgrounds, Visual Design Representations (VDRs) serve as crucial mediators for communication and collaboration. While the emergence of generative AI has accelerated the visualization of design concepts, the experiential insights gained through physical prototyping remain irreplaceable in practical design processes. Numerous studies have also emphasized that both virtual and physical prototypes possess distinct communicative advantages and are suited to different contexts, while hybrid prototyping can enhance iterative efficiency. This study uses an industry-academia collaboration project focused on titanium …

Research On The Design Method Of Cultural And Creative Products Of The Palace Museum In Beijing Based On Empathy, Xingjie Yan, Zhiyu Zhao

IASDR Conference Series

Nowadays, visual communication designers are paying more and more attention to audience experience. Design should not only meet aesthetics and functionality, but also meet the emotional needs of users. The EDIPT design thinking model, which begins with empathy as its foundational step and upholds the concept of "perception from the user's perspective," equips designers with a wealth of thought processes and practical skills. Furthermore, it facilitates the transformation and upgrading of cultural and creative products that effectively connect users, culture, and creativity. As a country with a long cultural history, China has good research value based on Chinese culture. The …

Peacebuilding: Scoping An Empathic Design Approach Through Speculative Fiction, Koskinen Ilpo, Philip Ely, Markus Wernli

IASDR Conference Series

Despite an apparent period of geopolitical stability following the establishment of the UN in 1945, questions of war and peace remain as perennial concerns. . This paper presents an attempt to scope a design approach for peace building. It grounds its approach on Johan Galtung’s notion of positive peace as justice and John Paul Lederach’s middle-ground theory of peace building but underlines the importance of an empathic dialogue that brings parties in conflict together to find common ali ties and develop skills useful in post-conflict societies. The paper scopes an approach through a piece of speculative fiction about a design …

Heritaverse: A Framework Integrating Cultural Heritage In Immersive Interactive Experience, Yuxuan Xiao, Shucheng Zheng, Zhongjian Song, Tingting Zhu, Ximu Sun, Chenyang He, Ruoyu Qiu, Xue Wu, Yiqing Zhao, Yaning Li, Meng Li

IASDR Conference Series

In cultural heritage (CH) context, immersive interactive experience can benefit user experience and participation, while enhancing their cultural identity. However, few studies integrate both tangible and intangible CH elements in the same immersive environment. Meanwhile, thereisalsoalackofa systematic design framework to guide the whole design process of creating immersive interactive CH experiences. In response to the research challenges, this study firstly proposes a design framework named Her it averse, whichcan helpco-design with multi-stakeholders, capture and integrate various representative CHelements, and design for emotional experience. To understand the potential of the framework in real design practices, weselect Azheke Villageat Hani Rice Terracesin …

The Aesthetic Appeal Of Visual Flow: A Kansei Engineering Study On Attractive Factors Of Motion Graphics In An Immersive Environment, Hsin-Jui Chen, Tzu-Wei Tsai

IASDR Conference Series

As immersive media continues to evolve as a dominant paradigm in digital design, understanding how motion graphics shape users’ emotional engagement and sensory perception has become a critical issue in visual communication research. This study examines the relationship between visual design elements in immersive motion graphics and users’ Kansei experiences, aiming to identify key attraction factors and their corresponding quality attributes. Grounded in the framework of Kansei Engineering, in-depth interviews were conducted using the Evaluation Grid Method (EGM), resulting in the identification of eight representative attraction factors. These factors were further analyzed using the Kano Model, Customer Satisfaction Coefficients (CS/DS), …

Reframing Smart Parking As Public Service Innovation: Enabling Urban Mobility Reform In Taiwan, Shao-Nung Chang, Chien-Hsiung Chen

IASDR Conference Series

This study investigates the role of service design in enhancing data-driven public governance and institutional coordination, using the Tainan Smart Parking Data Center as an empirical case. The rapid digitalization of urban environments has challenged local governments to integrate technological infrastructures with citizen-centered services. However, existing literature seldom explains how design methodologies facilitate such integration within complex administrative systems (Luna-Reyes & Gil- García, 2014; Lindgren & van Veenstra, 2018). Addressing this gap, the study conceptualizes service design as a governance mechanism rather than merely a method to improve user experience, aligning with the perspective of designing for service (Strokosch & …

A Reflective Lab Journal For Biodesign: Navigating More-Than-Human Sensibilities And Disciplinary Tensions, Jiho Kim, Iohanna Nicenboim, Joana Martins, Elvin Karana

IASDR Conference Series

This paper introduces reflective journaling as a tool for advancing biodesign practices, merging documentation methods from biology and design while integrating more-than-human sensibilities into laboratory practices. It highlights the need for tools that can flexibly support record-keeping across biology and design, balancing precision and accountability with iteration, creativity, and collaboration. Furthermore, it critically addresses calls to support care ethics and nurturing multispecies interactions within biodesign. Through an explorative review of diverse documentation formats, including laboratory notebooks and annotated portfolios, and informed by our own biodesign experiences, we introduce the Reflective Biodesign Lab Journal as a potential approach to address these …

Internal Facial Contour (Ifc): An Exploration Of Expressive Communication Approaches For The Design Of Face-Worn Wearables, Mingshuo Li, Rowan Page, Chuan Khoo

IASDR Conference Series

Facial movement delivers rich emotional messages. This pictorial explores a novel concept in enhancing expressive facial communication – the Internal Facial Contour (IFC). The IFC device constructs a linear visual language on the face through a collection of face-worn wearables. These wearable augmentations deform in response to facial muscle movement, thereby suggesting emotional states. The shape of the IFC device naturally becomes visually wider and more open when smiling; in contrast, it becomes narrower and more closed when frowning. To test the acceptance of this communication language, feedback was collected through casual interviews, visual perception tests, and usage observations. The …

Exploring Human-Ai Differences In Emotional Color Perception: A Pictorial Study On Gai-Generated Cinematic Visuals Through Design Research, Hsin-Ting Chung, Tingyi Lin, Yu-Ting Cheng

IASDR Conference Series

This study explores how generative AI (GAI) and humans interpret emotional meanings through color in cinematic visuals. Drawing from film color theory, we designed a set of mood palettes and applied them to keyframes generated by GAI. Using qualitative questionnaires, we compared emotional interpretations from human participants and GPT-4o. Results revealed overlapping but diverging perceptions: humans relied on narrative context and memory, while AI leaned on statistical associations. These findings highlight GAI’s limited emotional grounding and suggest opportunities to enhance visual storytelling tools through hybrid color-emotion frameworks. This research contributes to emerging dialogues in computational aesthetics, human–AI perception, and design …

Survey On Employment Status And Perceived Gaps Between Education And Practice Among Design Graduates, Poyu Chen, Chia Lin Tsai, Yu Chen Hsiao

IASDR Conference Series

This survey targets graduates from the 2020–2024 Young Designers’ Exhibition, analyzing their employment status, salary levels, and the gap between academic training and industry demands. Results show that while some technical skills align with workplace needs, gaps remain in areas such as communication and collaboration, project management, interdisciplinary teamwork, AI integration, and sustainability trends. Most graduates believe that design education lacks dynamic adaptation, making it difficult to keep pace with rapid industry changes, thus increasing workplace adjustment pressure. The survey also found that interdisciplinary capabilities, digital skills, and internship experience are strongly correlated with job performance, starting salary, and career …

From Tick Marks To Crossbones: Designing And Testing Visual Primitives For Medicine Instructions, Mandar Rane, Karel Van Der Waarde

IASDR Conference Series

This study investigates whether certain symbols can function as universal visual primitives to convey affirmation, negation, and warning without relying on language or context. Postgraduate design students in India created pictogram-based visual instructions for ibuprofen, from which 56 symbols were extracted and standardized in black and white. After refinement, 12 symbols were tested with 240 participants across diverse demographics using open-ended comprehension tests. The tick mark consistently conveyed affirmation, the cross (X) and diagonal slash inside a circle expressed negation, and the skull with crossbones effectively indicated warning. Results highlight the role of familiarity, exposure, and convention in shaping comprehension, …

Scent Camera—An Aromatherapy-Based Emotional Soothing Device, Cun Li, Yutong Jiang, Xiao Luo, Rushi Feng, Kailin Huang

IASDR Conference Series

This study presents Scent Camera, an interactive olfactory device designed to facilitate emotional regulation among young individuals experiencing stress. It investigates the potential of scent in triggering emotional memory and modulating mood through a multisensory interaction that bridges visual and olfactory perception. Users take or upload an image, which is then analyzed by the device in terms of visual elements and color composition; based on this analysis, a corresponding scent is emitted to evoke related emotional responses. Drawing inspiration from the “capture-and-preserve” logic of analog photography, the design reimagines visual memory as an olfactory experience—shifting the act of remembrance from …

Design Asset Formation Through Ai-Driven Interpretation Of Text And Visual Data, Yu Syuan Guo, Wan Ting Jiang, Cheng Yuan Wu, Shyhnan Liou

IASDR Conference Series

including Yu-Syuan Guo, Wan-Ting Jiang, and Cheng-Yuan Wu, Researchers, and Shyhnan Liou, Director of R&D, for their invaluable support and collaboration throughout this project. This study aims to explore the evolution of in-house design processes through AI technology. Historically, design projects lacked standardization, result- ing in inconsistent deliverables, costs, and quality, especially in cross-disciplinary projects. To address this, this research developed two AI design think- ing tool prototypes. The goal is to leverage generative AI's strength in organizing nonlinear data to assist enterprises with varying design application ex- periences. This includes structuring first-hand research data using natural language, enhancing asset …

Investigating The Usage Of Generative Ai In Design Education: Bridging University Policies And Student Practices, Lujin Mao, Ziyue Tang, Mengyao Qi, Jeffrey C. F. Ho, Gerhard Bruyns, Kun-Pyo Lee, Zhibin Zhou

IASDR Conference Series

Generative AI (GenAI) is reshaping design education, leading to the emergence of new university policies and evolving student practices. This study offers a comparative review of 17 institutional policies and 38 empirical studies on design students’ engagement with GenAI. Using inductive analysis, we developed a synthesized set of themes that capture both regulatory guidance and practical usage. Our findings indicate that while institutional policies emphasize responsible use, general-purpose recommendations, and abstract competency aims, student practices are characterized by situated judgment, iterative workflows, and profession-oriented skill development. These contrasts point to areas where institutional frameworks may fall short in addressing the …

Mercurial, Bhavana Neti

Theses

Mercurial is a groundbreaking visual journey through typography that charts the fluid and often volatile passage, from the depths of sadness, eventually finding the light in the end, inspired by the song title Louder than Bombs by BTS, a Korean boyband. Over a carefully observed period, this book captures the subtle and dramatic transformations of emotion through a unique lens. "Mercurial" represents a unique and multi-layered approach to understanding and visualizing emotions. Initially, the exploration of shapes as a representational tool proved inadequate for capturing this complexity. This led to a pivotal shift towards typography, where the inherent qualities of …

Cooking Made Clear: Accessible Cookbook Design For Older Audiences, Brennan Tyra Cole

Graphic Communication

This project explores accessibility-focused print and digital design features for older audiences within the cookbook and graphic communication industries. While cookbooks are widely produced, they rarely consider the physical, visual, and ergonomic experiences of aging users. Inspired by my grandmother’s 1980s church cookbook, I researched accessible design practices and communicated my findings through an infographic and a poster, highlighting features such as minimum 12–14 point body text, warm color palettes, high-contrast layouts, clear hierarchy, increased line spacing, simplified ingredient lists, columns, and lay-flat binding. I applied these learned features to several redesigned spreads from the original cookbook. This project demonstrates …

Greekmate: Communicating Startup Value Through Design And Marketing, Cameron Do-Khanh

Graphic Communication

This project examines how design and marketing can improve communication for early-stage software by applying these principles to GreekMate, a candidate management tool built for student organizations. The software functioned well but lacked a strong brand identity and clear value communication. Using Diffusion of Innovation Theory and research on UX strategy, the project focused on redesigning the brand system and marketing website to make the product easier to understand and more appealing to its audience. The redesign included a new visual direction, updated hierarchy, clearer feature explanations, and a more energetic style that aligned with student expectations. Informal user feedback …

Harnessing Irrationality, Jennifer E. Smith

All Theses

My thesis work considers the presence of objectifying gazes in representations of women in Western visual media and pop culture. I reference film, television, short form content shared on social media, and pornography to identify and repurpose tools of objectification in my large scale drawings and animated GIFs. I compare the objectifying tropes present in contemporary entertainment media and pop culture to those present in the Western art historical tradition of the reclining female nude, mythology and folklore, and pornography. Using these comparisons, I discuss objectification in terms of passive and active, consumption and appetite, and idealization and devaluation. I …

The Influence Of High School Art Courses On Graphic Communications Students, Mackenzie Crawford

All Theses

This study examines the influence of high school art courses on students’ pursuing a degree in graphic communications (GC) at Clemson University. The purpose is to explore how prior high school art courses impact students’ major choice, preparedness, and academic success within GC. While creativity is central to the field, limited research addresses how early exposure to art integration shapes students’ readiness for college-level technical and design programs.

Grounded in theories of experiential learning and career development, this study builds upon the research by Moss, Benus, and Tucker (2018), who found that school-based arts programs enhance executive function and academic …

Wellspring: Visual Development For An Animated Series, Jane Anderson

Master of Fine Arts in Digital Media Culminating Experience

This paper delves into the interconnected stages of worldbuilding and storytelling for animation. Beginning with a single character sketch, the project explores and reports multiple phases that investigate how ideas take shape across different artistic mediums. Both visual and narrative processes are analyzed, including character and environment design, comic creation, and the production of hand-drawn animation tests. Each stage functions not only as a method of artistic study but also as a means of refining the story’s tone, themes, and visual identity. These explorations inform the final component of the project - a comprehensive show pitch package. This pitch synthesizes …

Rubbing Away Respect: How Repeated Touch Alters The Meaning Of Women’S Statues, Olivea Kittrell

Theses

This thesis examines how repeated public interactions with statues of women, particularly the ritualized rubbing of their breasts, alter both the material surfaces and symbolic meanings of statues. We will focus on three bronze sculptures: the Molly Malone statue in Dublin, the Juliet statue in Verona, and the Bust of Dalida in Paris. Through these, we will investigate how statues created with commemorative intent become sites of sexualized behavior based on gender. The problem this thesis addresses is the lack of scholarly analysis on how gendered public interaction physically and symbolically transforms statues of women. While some scholarship covers either …

Virtus Fidelis: Design In Modern-Day Catholicism, Elisha N. Butryn

Honors College Theses

Art plays a major role in how we view the world, and particularly, how we view religion. This thesis explores those themes and how design appears in modern-day Catholicism, and how Catholicism can impact design through the development of the brand Virtus Fidelis.

Strainx : A Technical Exploration Of Cinema4d'S Native Particle System In An Experimental Title Sequence, Farah Ahmad

Theses

This paper presents a practice-based investigation into the capabilities of Cinema 4D’s native particle system through the creation of an experimental title sequence titled StrainX. The project was conceived as a technical and aesthetic exploration, prioritizing abstraction, form, and motion over narrative content. Through iterative testing and simulation, the study examines how Cinema 4D’s built-in particle, geometry, and material tools can generate visually complex results without relying on third-party plugins, such as X-Particles. All assets, simulations, and textures were developed natively within Cinema 4D, allowing for a unified and efficient workflow. The methodology emphasizes procedural experimentation, simulation caching using Alembic …

A Neutrosophic Mathematical Model For Evaluating Innovation Modes In Higher Arts Education, Lechen Dong, Yao Wu, Hao Chen

Neutrosophic Sets and Systems

No abstract provided.