Art and Design Commons^™

Alternative, Ashlynn M. Stroud

Graduate Theses and Dissertations (2019 - present)

A series of illustrations, sculptures and comic book issues designed to introduce a series of stories and characters that represent the history and members of a fictional mythology depicting the cultural social group often referred to as the “alternative” community. Alternative takes place in a world that combines high fantasy and science fiction with elements of pop culture and music. This world uses iconography of the various genres of the alternative subculture and music, metal, post-punk, and the evolving scene of the underground with varying visuals from both gothic and industrial time periods. Viewers are encouraged to read and follow …

The Southwest Black Artists Collective: Afro-Modern Ecology, Kinship, And Collectivity In The Desert Southwest, Bradley L. Petty

Art History Theses and Dissertations

This thesis examines the Southwest Black Artists Collective (SBAC) as a site of

Afro-diasporic kinship, artistic production, and spatial intervention within the Desert

Southwest. Operating within a region where Black populations are comparatively small

and institutional support is diffuse, SBAC emerges as both a response to and a

reconfiguration of the regional artistic landscape. The Collective constructs an affirming

community through shared artistic practice, exhibitions, and the maintenance of The

Projects/Space in Tucson, Arizona, where public engagement and private creative

exchange coexist.

Drawing on theories of human ecology, this study expands existing frameworks

by introducing the concept of Afro-modern ecology, …

Volume 17, Christian O’Neill, Kyara Greene, Savva Sidorov, Laura Bisaillon, Luke Clemmer, Hannah Gordon, Kitt Benson, Taylor Blount, Rachel Danzitz, Nicholas Duellman, Chase Gionis, Hima Fernando, Seth Franzyshen, Onyx Gonzalez, Bryan Lin, Samantha Start, Ysabel Wells, Maggie Duncan

Incite: The Journal of Undergraduate Scholarship

Introduction Dr. Amorette Barber, Director, Office of Student Research

From the Editor Dr. Hannah Dudley-Shotwell

Cover Artist’s Statement Maggie Duncan

On Mentoring Dr. Yulia Uryadova

Ukrainian Resistance in the Face of Russification: Nestor Makhno and Anarchism

by Christian O’Neill

Life Vest by Kyara Greene

Isolation and 16S rRNA Identification of Bacteria from Fire Department Connection Pipe by Savva Sidorov

The Effectiveness of Planned Exercise in Reducing ADHD Symptoms in Children by Laura Bisaillon & Luke Clemmer

Linguistic Analysis on Confidence and Communication Strategies with Disparities Between Sign Fluency and Hearing Impairment by Hannah Gordon

Freedmen in Indian Territory by Kitt …

Meikyu, Diana D. Dyer

Graduate Theses and Dissertations (2019 - present)

This thesis explores the relationship between digital and physical practices through the integration of traditional glassworking techniques and digital media. The project combines glass fusing and glass blowing with woodworking, screen printing, vinyl cutting, animation, and augmented reality (AR) technologies to create dialogue between physical and digital forms. This thesis documents the full creative process, beginning with conceptual sketches and progressing through the fabrication and assembly of glass components into finished sculptural pieces. Digital technologies are then incorporated to augment and extend the physical artwork. Three-dimensional (3D) assets were created using Maya, a 3D modeling software, and implemented within Snapchat's …

Visual Development For Descent To Paradise, Rowyn Porterfield

Undergraduate Honors Theses

The focus of this thesis is a study in the process of concept development for video games within the format of a video game pitch. This includes concept designs for important characters, relevant settings, and other supplemental material deemed necessary within my research for a complete pitch. The content shown within this paper includes visual research, creative writing, 3D setting design, and 2D artworks for character, setting, and prop design. All of this is then put into context through two 2D illustrations of key art.

Beyond The Dice Roll: Investigating Character Creation In A Pokemon-Inspired D&D Game, Alberto S. Rendon

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

For this study of Pokémon Dungeons and Dragons (D&D) I study gameplay as a way to capture how players use character creation and performance in role-playing games as a form of social identity expression. I provide a rich description of how players construct a game persona and relate it to their social identity.By engaging in an ethnographic study wherein I analyze the players’ game character, their style of play, the decisions they make during the game, and the small group dynamic that emerges as a result, I want to show how mixing these two fandoms can promote ways for players …

Towards The Publisher-Function Of The Independent Press: Authorship And Experimentation In The Semiotext(E) Oeuvre, Gilbert Aguirre

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

This project is a contribution to debates on authorship, expanding Foucault’s theorization of the author as a function of discourse into the field of creative production by proposing my theory of the publisher-function. Here, I highlight the role of the publisher in shaping literary discourse using avant-garde publishing house Semiotext(e). I analyze two experimental publications to illustrate how this publisher’s role in editing and curating their booklist—or, as I propose we call it, their oeuvre—compounds with the fact of publication to create a new kind of authorial role. This is done through emphasizing the paratexts, elements of design, and literary …

Epiphanies, Loren Malul

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

"Epiphanies” investigates moments that inspire humanity to experience and enact change. Before we break through our egos threshold, our journey begins as a form of questioning, delving into the relationship between self and environment. When we take a moment to slow down and focus on our spatial awareness, we recognize that reality is a channel we get to tune into where our reaction determines our experience. Doing my own shadow work, recognizing trauma and questioning “the invisible”, are ways to analyze our internal self. Portals, voids, intersecting landscapes, and first person perspective are all visual translations that play with environmental …

Echoes Of Becoming - K. Morrell, Kole K. Morrell

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

I work sculpturally, exploring presence, transformation, and emotional weight that is not inherently visible. My forms are recognizable yet unsettled, existing between familiarity and distortion. Meaning is not fixed or declared, it reveals itself slowly through texture, material, and time spent in observation.

I approach making as a form of therapeutic ritual. Through touch, I shape and alter the material, imbuing it with the story of emotions I want to convey to the viewer. I am most connected to the work in its “in-between” states, when the form is still shifting and unresolved. In these moments, it mirrors my own …

Echoes Of Becoming, Michelle D. Young

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

I create illustrative works that deal with criticism and appreciation in parallel ways; addressing facets of society, government, the self, and the influence of social media. My art ranges from digital illustration to narrative paintings, fluctuating to the flow and response of a piece. A blend of cheekiness and empowerment, I play around with uncomfortable subjects and heavy topics to bring attention to those that are misrepresented or overlooked. I am interested in the intersection of consumable media, its history and the disregarded context behind it all.

Rooted in my experience as a descendant of generational immigrant-refugees, my work reflects …

Real-Time Adaptable Residential Kitchen: A Plug-In Standard, Rachel Fuelberth

Masters in Architecture Program: Theses

This thesis looks at how a real-time adaptable standard could be put in place within the modern kitchen to allow for equitable use of the space by numerous members of the household and their differing physical characteristics. The residential kitchen is a fundamentally exclusionary architectural construction designed around able-bodied, average-height adults. This excludes children, the elderly, anyone outside of the average height, and people with mobility differences. The kitchen has never been a place of equity. It has been designed to be used by an average-height female, and it does not account for the discomfort of those outside this norm. …

Investigation Of Curing And Degradation Mechanisms In Lead White Oil Paint Systems: Impact Of Methyl Linoleate On Paint Matrix Formation And Solvent Extractability, Andrea Serrano Trujillo

Theses, Dissertations and Culminating Projects

Oil-based paints composed of drying oils and lead-containing pigments undergo complex chemical transformations during curing that influence long-term stability and degradation. Despite centuries of use, the molecular mechanisms governing oxidative polymerization and additive incorporation in lead white oil paint systems remain incompletely understood. This study investigates the role of methyl linoleate, a monoester analog of linoleic acid, in the curing and degradation pathways of lead carbonate and linseed oil paint films. A deep focus was placed on determining whether methyl linoleate becomes chemically integrated into the developing polymeric network or remains as an extractable and unbound component, as this distinction …

Chromatic Meditations, Jessica Csanky

The Transdisciplinary STEAM+ Journal

My reflection traces the development of In Harmony, a cross-cultural exhibition created in collaboration with Japanese artist Hisakazu Suzuki, emerging from a chance encounter and realized through a shared commitment to peace. Presented at the 4th Annual Peace Conference, the exhibition explores how artistic practice can transcend language and cultural boundaries to foster connection, hope, and collective vision during a time of global uncertainty. Centered on my series Chromatic Meditations, the work investigates the inner dimensions of peace through mindful, ritual-based painting practices shaped by pregnancy and the anticipation of new life. These emotionally resonant color-field landscapes invite …

Diagrammatic Contemplation, Khang Nguyen

The Transdisciplinary STEAM+ Journal

This work presents the integration of contemplative practice engaging western and eastern philosophies about apperception, consciousness, presence with an art practice that uses diagrammatic contemplation as a basis for developing and presenting art. The aim is not just an optical effect, but to engage the viewer in experiencing non-dual consciousness.

Home: Transforming A Public Arts Grant Into A Community Project, Scarlett G. Baily

The Transdisciplinary STEAM+ Journal

Home is a 2,535 ft² site-specific mural in San Diego’s Liberty Station that reconnects the site’s military history with Kumeyaay Indigenous heritage and maritime culture. Through depictions of native flora and fauna, the work foregrounds overlooked origin stories and ecological knowledge of Point Loma. Developed through deep community collaboration, including Kumeyaay advisors and over 100 local participants, the mural fosters shared authorship and cultural continuity. It invites viewers to engage with alternative histories while supporting language revitalization and environmental awareness.

Founding The Steam Journal: Creating Space For Arts, Science, And Life To Meet, Shamini Dias

The Transdisciplinary STEAM+ Journal

This interview spotlights Sara Kapadia, founder of the STEAM Journal, tracing the origins, evolution, and enduring vision of a publication designed to bridge the divide between art and science. Emerging from her dual experiences as an artist and education researcher, Sara created the journal to address a perceived gap between academic and creative communities: spaces that, while often siloed, engage parallel questions about the world. Grounded in her doctoral research on the shared curiosity of artists and scientists, the journal advances a transdisciplinary approach that invites contributors to move fluidly between visual, written, and scholarly forms. In conversation, Sara …

Under Chiron's Care, Deethya Trivedi

HCA Healthcare Journal of Medicine

This painting depicts young Asclepius under the guidance of Chiron, the wise centaur renowned for his knowledge of healing and medicine. In Greek mythology, Asclepius was entrusted to Chiron after Apollo recognized his potential. Within the nurturing environment of Chiron’s home, Asclepius absorbed lessons on the use of medicinal herbs, wound treatment, and the foundational principles of care, skills that would eventually elevate him to become the Greek God of Medicine. The herbs symbolize hands-on learning and the practical foundation of healing, while the book signifies the accumulation and sharing of knowledge, showing how medical innovation progresses through study, collaboration, …

Prototyping For Game Design With Unlv Libraries, Silvey Benson, Amber Sewell

UNLV Best Teaching Practices Expo

Involving students in a hands-on creative way to implement ideation, design, and prototyping skills gives students the opportunity to apply the theory of iterative design. Students analyze and reverse engineer current game designs prior to beginning their own innovations. They are then encouraged to apply innovation and creativity to their own game designs, test the games’ effectiveness through having others play their game and provide feedback, and fail safely in a controlled environment. Students will ideally increase their tolerance for failure through the implementation of the iterative design process while gaining a variety of skills that will serve them outside …

Transparency And Personalized Feedback Curb Ai Misuse In Asynchronous Online Biology, Elana A. Paladino

UNLV Best Teaching Practices Expo

The rapid expansion of generative AI (Gen-AI) has reshaped teaching and assessment in online, asynchronous introductory biology courses, creating new challenges for academic integrity and meaningful learning. This poster examines practical strategies to promote ethical AI use while maintaining student engagement. Transparency of instructions and timely, personalized feedback were found to curb AI misuse in online discussion posts. Structured use of AI tutors encouraged responsible engagement with Gen-AI, and surveillance methods for summative exams had mixed effects.

Evaluating The Benefits Of “Science Of Learning To Learn” In Foundational Undergraduate Biology Courses, Kathryn M. Rafferty, Jenifer Utz, Christy Strong, Matthew Bernacki

UNLV Best Teaching Practices Expo

Our objective was to foster increased retention of freshman student and subsequent progression into upper division coursework by incorporating learning skill development and motivational activities into the Introductory Biology courses (BIOL190/191). Enhancement of the introductory biology courses at UNLV has the potential to improve the educational experiences of thousands of students, since about 600 to 800 students enroll in the introductory biology courses each semester. We have previously developed a multimedia learning skill intervention called "The Science of Learning to Learn" which covers the importance of self-testing, spacing out and scheduling study sessions, and managing one's goals, habits, and learning …

Repatriasi Lukisan Pita Maha Dan Penguatan Historiografi Seni Rupa Modern Bali, Citra Smara Dewi, Sabila Duhita Drijono

Paradigma: Jurnal Kajian Budaya

This article examines the repatriation of Pita Maha paintings from the 1930s to 1940s, which were returned by the Government of the Netherlands to Indonesia in 2024. Pita Maha, an artistic movement established in Ubud, Bali in 1936, holds an important position in art historiography as a key contributor to the development of modern Balinese painting. The repatriation of these works provides an opportunity to reconsider and expand existing historical narratives. Accordingly, this study aims to contribute to the enrichment of the historiography of modern Balinese painting. The research employs a historical method —encompassing heuristics, source criticism, interpretation, and historiography— …

Sultan Mahmud Badaruddin Ii (Smb Ii): Kajian Sejarah Dan Arkeologi Islam Kesultanan Palembang Darussalam, Wahyu Rizky Andhifani, Nor Huda Ali Nha

Paradigma: Jurnal Kajian Budaya

The intellectual, architectural, and artifactual heritage of the Palembang Darussalam Sultanate during the reign of Sultan Mahmud Badaruddin II (1767–1852) is examined in this study using a historical archaeological approach and textual analysis of manuscripts, buildings, and royal tombstones. This study assumes that Palembang functions as a political force and a centre of Islamic-Malay knowledge. The results show that the Palembang palace functioned as an epistemic space that combined religious understanding (tafaqquh fi al-dīn) and Islamic nobility, as evidenced by religious works such as the Syair Burung Nuri and legal documents (piyagêm) written in the Palembang script. The architecture of …

Timbangan Buku: Mendekolonisasi Komunikasi Politik Di Afrika - Menyusun Ulang Ontologi, Murliana Murliana

Paradigma: Jurnal Kajian Budaya

No abstract provided.

Minecraft: A Retrospective, Kylie Salinger

Pepperdine Journal of Communication Research

This speech explores Minecraft as more than a popular sandbox video game, framing it as a creative, narrative-rich, and culturally influential platform that has shaped how players interact with virtual worlds. Beginning with the game’s simple mechanics and origins, the work examines Minecraft’s deeper lore, including its progression through multiple dimensions and the philosophical implications of the End Poem. It also highlights fan-driven theories suggesting a complex, hidden history within the game’s world-building. Finally, the piece analyzes the reasons behind Minecraft’s enduring success, emphasizing its multiplayer connectivity, resurgence during the COVID-19 pandemic, and immersive musical design. Ultimately, the essay argues …

Judging A Book By Its Cover: Exploring Ethical Solutions For Marketing & Labeling Romance Novels With Illustrated Cover Art, Tricia Filbrun

Honors Projects

As social media platforms and subcommunities have driven massive sales for romance titles in the publishing industry, there has been an intense debate among literary communities, parents, and school administrators about whether the illustrated cover art style is appropriate. Some readers feel that these books are intentionally marketed towards a younger audience, and the sexually explicit nature of the content was not made clear, or labeled at all, before they read the book. This paper explores four likely marketing and labeling solutions that could be implemented to resolve this issue, and whether they are ethical by marketing and advertising standards, …

Objective, April L. Startzel

Student Projects

This thesis presents a body of paintings that explore the tension between lived experience, memory, and digitally constructed identity. Through layered narrative compositions, the work examines how individuals navigate and internalize multiple versions of themselves within an increasingly image-driven and digitally mediated world. Familiar objects, childhood references, and symbolic imagery serve as accessible entry points, while distortions in scale, composition, and material disrupt immediate recognition and invite active interpretation.

By integrating vivid color, dense compositions, and tactile elements such as polymer clay, the paintings emphasize the contrast between physical materiality and the flatness of digital screens. The recurring square format …

The Rem Series, James W. Conkis

Student Projects

James Conkis is a film photographer who blends traditional photography with modern

digital methods. James’ work is a way to consolidate memories from past experiences from

growing up in the Midwest. He strives to take timeless images that make people question when

they are taken. James takes photos with medium format 120 film, and 35mm film cameras. He

develops his own film, makes his own darkroom prints, and edits scans in Photoshop. James

Conkis is currently attending Northern Illinois University to receive a BFA in Photography. His

current series of dreams, The REM Series, is a continuation of night film …

Form And Fusion: The Art And Science Of Ceramics And Glass, Juniper J. Bauroth-Sherman, Kaleigh Evans

Interdivisional Studies Presentations

The first Ceramics & Art class (IDS-110-F: ST: Ceramics) has completed an immersive, interdisciplinary exploration of stained glass and we’re excited to showcase it now. Through hands-on studio work, experiments, and design projects, we combined artistic expression with the science of glass—learning how physics and chemistry shape everything from color to strength and light interaction. The students have developed practical skills in cutting, grinding, foiling, soldering, and assembling stained-glass pieces, while also experimenting with thermal stress, light transmission, and color chemistry. Glass is now understood as not just as an art form, but as a dynamic material grounded in scientific …

Forget-Me-Not: Facilitating Social Vibrancy In Spaces Designed For Alzheimer's Disease, Torilyn Mossner

Honors Theses

The objective of this capstone project is to create a foundation for vibrant community interactions and connections that support those living with Alzheimer’s disease, their loved ones, and the broader members of the community through interior design. This work is relevant because Alzheimer’s disease affects 1 in 9 people over the age of sixty-five worldwide. Without a cure, as people continue to age, there is going to be a constant need for development of care. Additionally, design should go a step further than healthy living and begin to prioritize creating a vibrant life and community integration for those living with …

Solarvale: Exploring Australian Ecology And Culture Through Serious Game Design, Ping-I (Adam) Ho, Elliot Birch

Staff Scholarship - Australia & Dubai

This research examines how a serious game: Solarvale: Tale of the Sun Root (Birch et al., 2024), developed by students from SAE University College addresses the importance of ecological conservation and cultural awareness specifically in relation to the Australian landscape. While some Australian serious games, such as Catchment Detox (2008), Paperbark (2018), and Bleached Az (2019) engage with similar themes, few titles integrate storytelling with interactive ecological environments and cultural awareness in a way that encourages players to reflect on their own role and actions—which is the central focus of Solarvale. Drawing on the concepts from serious game (Gee, 2007), …