thesis about design

2022 Landscape Architecture Thesis Prize: Liwei Shen’s “The Echoes of Sky River – Two Pre-modern and Modern Atmospheric Assemblages”

by Liwei Shen (MLA I ’22) — Recipient of the Landscape Architecture Thesis Prize. The…

Sergio Lopez-Pineiro, Faculty Advisor

Spring 2022

2022 James Templeton Kelley Prize: Isaac Henry Pollan’s “This Is Not A Firehouse”

by Isaac Henry Pollan (MArch I ’22) — Recipient of the James Templeton Kelley Prize,…

Sean Canty , Faculty Advisor

2022 Clifford Wong Prize in Housing Design: Brian Lee’s “People’s Park Complex: Repairing the Modern City”

by Brian Lee (MArch ’22) — Recipient of the 2021 Clifford Wong Prize in…

Grace La and Jenny French , Faculty Advisors

2022 Peter Rice Prize: Hangsoo Jeong’s “Upon Concrete: Retrofitting Architecture with Malleability”

by Hangsoo Jeong (MArch ’22) — Recipient of the Peter Rice Prize   Upon Concrete:…

Mark Lee, Faculty Advisor

2022 Digital Design Prize: George Guida’s “Multimodal Architecture: Applications of Language in a Machine Learning Aided Design Process”

by George Guida (MArch II ’22) — Recipient of the Digital Design Prize. This thesis…

Andrew Witt and Jose Luis Garcia del Castillo Lopez , Faculty Advisors

2022 Urban Design Thesis Prize: Rogelio Cadena’s “How Are ‘We’ Living? Reevaluating the Chicago Boulevard System”

by Rogelio Cadena (MAUD ’22) — Recipient of the Urban Design Thesis Prize. At its…

Stephen Gray , Faculty Advisor

2022 Design Studies Thesis Prize: Allison Hyatt’s “Priorities in Building Decarbonization: Accounting for total carbon and the time value of carbon in cost-benefit analyses of residential retrofits”

by Allison Hyatt (MDes ’22) — Recipient of the Design Studies Thesis Prize. Energy consumption…

Holly Samuelson , Faculty Advisor

2022 James Templeton Kelley Prize: Qin Ye Chen’s “Fluid Permanence – A Shotengai-Archive in Tokyo”

by Qin Ye Chen (MArch I ’22) — Recipient of the James Templeton Kelley Prize,…

Mohsen Mostafavi , Faculty Advisor

2022 Design Studies Thesis Prize: Nicole Piepenbrink’s “HERE LIES DARBY VASSALL: Rendering the obscured and concealed history of slavery at Christ Church Cambridge”

by Nicole Piepenbrink (MDes ’22) — Recipient of the Design Studies Thesis Prize. The material…

Susan Snyder, George Thomas and Krzysztof Wodiczko , Faculty Advisors

2022 Landscape Architecture Thesis Prize: Lucy Humphreys Chebot’s “Reciprocal Optimism: Projecting Terrestrial Analogues”

by Lucy Humphreys Chebot (MLA I ’22) — Recipient of the Landscape Architecture Thesis Prize.

Danielle Choi , Faculty Advisor

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How to write the perfect design dissertation

Tutors and students from top design colleges share their advice.

Studying design is about crafting a great design portfolio that will wow potential employers, right? Well, yes. But don't discount the importance of astute creative thinking, and expressing yourself eloquently through the written word. In short, your design dissertation matters.

"I don't believe that design students should be focused entirely on portfolio work," argues Myrna MacLeod , programme leader for Graphic Design at Edinburgh Napier University. "They should also be able to demonstrate an interest in the contexts that underpin their work, and the histories and connections that have informed our practice."

• 5 top tips for graduate designers

"Think of a dissertation as an opportunity, not a burden," urges Craig Burston , Graphic and Media Design course leader at London College of Communication (LCC). "It gives us visually-minded people an opportunity to demonstrate that we too can construct arguments and distil complex notions." 

As Burston points out, this is not just an academic exercise: the power of persuasion is often key to success as a commercial designer. "Clients seek clarity, and project concepts or proposals need to be put into context," he says.

Read on to discover some top tips from leading tutors and their students for nailing your design dissertation…

01. Treat it like a design brief

"A great dissertation should be a designed artefact, and portfolio-worthy in its own right," says Burston. And like a design brief, it should be about solving a problem: "Make sure it has clearly stated aims, strong focus, and doesn't lack opinion or rhetoric," he adds.

• Best laptops for graphic design

"The value of a designed dissertation as a portfolio piece is that it's a holistic view of the individual," agrees Sarah James , senior lecturer in Visual Communication at Arts University Bournemouth (AUB). 

"It shows, type, editorial, research and aesthetic skill, as well as the personal interests and convictions of the individual."

James identifies AUB student Maarit Koobas , who investigated responsive type in both her dissertation and final project, as a particularly strong example of this. "Her design version was one of the most authentic, restrained and elegantly expressive I have ever received," she enthuses.

Koobas conducted a huge amount of initial research into both the contexts in which responsive type can be seen – such as advertising, product design, science and material cultures – and the theories behind its analysis, including semiotics, philosophy and politics. "Creating and analysing ideas, before they end up in your portfolio, is what design is all about," argues Koobas.

• 5 must-read books for design students

02. Write about your passion

"To develop essay questions, AUB students are asked to consider what they love, hate or are puzzled by in their practice – essentially, what moves them," says James. 

"A poor dissertation is inauthentically chosen for ease as opposed to interest," she adds. "It rambles and blusters, using complex language to mask insufficient research." 

"You can tell a mile off when the writer isn't interested," agrees Burston. "How can you expect the reader to care about it if you don't? Write about something that reflects your interests, focus and direction. I've read fascinating dissertations on topics as diverse as patterns in nature, and Brutalist car parks. Make me interested in what interests you."

For Edinburgh Napier graduate Fiona Winchester , this topic turned out to be typography in graphic novels. "I love reading them, but I think people still don't take them seriously as an art form, which is a shame," she says. For her dissertation, she conducted qualitative interviews using modified pages with and without imagery (shown above). 

Her advice is simple: "Narrow down your idea to be as precise as possible. The smaller your question, the easier it is to research and try to answer it."

If you're struggling to get the ball rolling on the actual writing process, Winchester advocates starting with whichever bit you have ideas for. "If you're stuck, it's so much easier to write in whatever order it comes to you, and then edit it into a dissertation, than to try write straight through from beginning to end," she insists.

03. Don't be afraid to talk to people

"I always think my students get the most out of the new streams of knowledge they find from talking to people," says McLeod. "It breaks down barriers and allows them to find answers to problems. Hopefully they will adopt that approach when designing for people also."

In some cases, this can involve interviewing your design heroes. "Students are very surprised when they send a question to Stefan Sagmeister , Milton Glaser or Michael Wolff and they reply with the most precious nugget of knowledge," smiles McLeod. 

But remember: it's your dissertation, so don't get lazy and expect your interview subject to do all the heavy lifting.

In other cases, it could be as simple as asking friends or family to help proofread. "It is quite daunting writing such a large body of text," admits Kaori Toh , a recent graduate from Central Saint Martins, whose dissertation explored the politics of design and technology.

"I often felt I'd get lost in all that text and research," she confesses. "Therefore, I would often send my drafts to a couple of friends to have them look through, and keep my writing cohesive."

04. Reflect on your design practice 

Most of all, dissertations are an opportunity to reflect on, and develop, your creative process as a designer. "Ultimately, it's your job to make your work relevant and credible, and the dissertation helps you learn how to do this," adds Burston. 

Of course, writing doesn't always come easily to visually minded people – and Burston highlights the fact that dyslexia is not uncommon amongst designers. 

"You're not on your own – in our profession, quite the opposite in fact – so do seek academic support, and just enjoy thinking and writing about 'stuff' that informs your practice," is his advice.

One of Burston's stand-out students from this year, Tom Baber , welcomed support from the university to help with his dyslexia. Baber's dissertation focused on type design, and particularly the extent to which the longwinded design process is worth the effort, compared to using an existing typeface.

"I saw it as an opportunity to approach other type designers and see what they thought. Turns out I'm not the first to ask the question," he smiles. "Writing my dissertation helped me change from a 'maker' mentality to a 'designer' mentality, and be more critical of my ideas."

Related articles:

• 15 things they didn't teach you at design school
• The skills every design graduate needs
• 5 alternative routes into design education

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About the design thesis

The Department of Architecture design thesis is an opportunity for students to challenge themselves by pursuing architectural interests in ambitious and self-critical ways, while working in the mutually supportive context of peers attempting the same.

The design thesis is an independently driven creative work developed within a focused subject of inquiry and directed by architectural questions. It is carried out through intensive research, study, and design explorations, and culminates in a thoroughly developed architectural proposition. It is to be fully recorded in a final document.

The design thesis is both an end in itself and a new beginning: it culminates a professional education, but also inaugurates new directions. It is a transformative event — a threshold, opening new ways to think, make and engage architecture, others and the world.

Carrying out self-directed design research and bringing this work to creative fruition are imperative skills for any architect. The design thesis entails considerable intellectual risk, but can also be serious fun! It should be the most exhilarating time of an architect’s education and a fulfilling experience that one reflects on fondly and meaningfully for the rest of one’s life.

Beginning the design thesis

An important preliminary step of the design thesis is preparing a proposal that establishes the general topic and particular strategies to guide the work. A thesis topic should have at least two facets: subjects that fascinate you, and problems that concern you. Articulating a multi-faceted topic of interest, however, is not enough.

A design thesis proposal must further describe particular conditions, programs, sites and/or phenomena to be studied (“the what”); exploratory strategies and manners of working by which the topic will be investigated and the design developed (“the how”); and relevant research precedents—architectural, theoretical and cultural contexts—to which the work will meaningfully relate (“the why”). A proposal must be clear, specific, succinct, relevant, exciting, and achievable within the given time frame. 

A good proposal is detailed, yet open-ended. It does not predetermine results but rather inaugurates inquiry in particular ways, establishing the parameters that allow for creative work to unfold. The best design thesis work results from restless inquiry, rigorous commitment, and critical discourse with peers.

Term one: Finding topics and articulating questions

How does a thesis begin? With questions! While each student will develop their own, everyone should also grapple with the fundamentals: What is architecture? What are its various manifestations? What are the most pressing challenges facing the discipline today?

What are its most persistent, trans-historical topics? What are the different ways of performing architectural work, and which ways do I seek to develop? What kind of architect do I want to become? What architectural settings have I found to be most moving? Most fascinating? Most troubling? Most confounding? Most meaningful? What ignites architectural imagination?

The design thesis commences with a design research studio. This first term is about finding topics of fascination and concern, articulating questions and attempting responses. The first term culminates with significant attempts at architectural design and design strategies, together with presentations of ongoing creative research in the form of diverse models and drawings, and potentially full-scale installations, supplementary videos and digital projections.

Term two: Producing a design thesis book

During the winter design thesis term, students fully manifest a substantive architectural design project and produce a design thesis book. The book compiles a full year’s worth of search and research, including documentation of processes, iterations, and a final design, plus sufficient text to describe the thesis inquiry, providing contextual framing, interpretive annotations and critical reflections.

General studio and course information

• General studio and course information (PDF)
• Studio and technology portfolio guidelines (PDF)

Design thesis information

• Design thesis s chedule (PDF)
• Proposal approval form (PDF)
• Proposal description (PDF)

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An Exploratory Study on Design Process in Architecture: Perspective of Creativity

2021, Creativity Studies

Any design challenge could be solved by identifying systemic complexity in the issue before following any problem-solving process. Designers approach problems in different forms but historically worked effectively to build a template or phase sequence. The design process can be used by designers virtually in any project which plays a crucial role in designing innovative architectural projects for many architects. Many studies were conducted to analyze, review, compare and recommend several creative approaches to problem management that allow designers to recognize their work and propose new solutions. However, there are not many studies on the stages to follow to undergo a comprehensive design process in architecture. This study aims to review the various stages involved in the design process. Firstly, it addresses the conceptualization phase of design critically examining the creativity and ideation process with creative and strategic thinking. Secondly, it discusses the representa...

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Geoffrey Makstutis

Saim Nalkaya

IJRASET Publication

To understand the design process, think of it as a problem-solving approach that combines creative talent with art and science to create solutions. Many designers go through a design process that follows a certain order; however, this process includes some stages that were discovered to be particularly successful. The design process may be deliberate or automatic, depending on the kind of project the designers work on. For many architects, the design process and methodology are critical to the creation of creative design solutions. Many experiments have been conducted on design methods, and these studies critically examine, evaluate, compare, as well as suggest alternative solutions as a result of their findings.

Khairul Khaidzir

Solution to a design problem can be achieved by understanding the holistic nature of the problem before adopting a problem solving process. As part of Architectural design problem solving Creativity and Innovation are among factors that incorporate new concepts and methods in designing. But, unfortunately these factors are affected by financial statues and designer level of experience. This study is about some of the factors that influence not affects creativity and innovation in architectural design management which is a process of observing design from inception to the concluding stage. The management process run from design brief, problem identification, search for solutions, design development, detail design, construction process together with pre and post occupancy evaluations. All these activities constitute architectural design management. This paper further identifies some of the functions of creativity and innovation in these managerial part of architectural design process....

Time Space and People, Council of Architecture, India

Apurva Satokar

There have been various definitions of the term “process”. Different streams have different perspectives and different focus to define “process”. Oxford dictionary defines it as “A series of actions or steps taken in order to achieve a particular end”. “A series of stages which a product, etc passes through, resulting in the development or transformation of it is Process” according to Chambers dictionary. Process of Design in Architecture is no different from the documented definitions of Process. It could be recapitulated as the transformation of an idea from the concept to the design solution. In the nutshell, the process could be said to be responsible for the nature of the product. In contrast to this situation, the product being more visible and known as compared to the process is talked of and the process responsible stays under the wraps. In the event of the importance of the process, played down, the reasoning of all interrogations related to the outcome or the product would be practically deficient. In other words, in the absence of a known process, a good product cannot be re created in a similar fashion and a bad product cannot be re done rectifying what made it bad. This paper initiates with exploring about the inevitability of Process (universally), proceeds with glancing at facets of Architecture as a Process as well as product, discussing the relationship between Process and Creativity and concludes describing two books- “Methods in Architecture” by Tom Heath and “New trends in Architectural Education – Designing the Design Studio” by Dr. Ashraf Salama. These books inform about identified processes for broadly categorized buildings and the Process of Architectural Design as to be applied in the Design Studio. Keywords: Process, Product, Architectural Design, Creativity, Design Studio

Iwert BERNAKIEWICZ

herts.ac.uk

Rafael Antonio Cunha Perrone

This text presents some results of the research The Sketches and the Design Process in Architecture. The authors sustain that the construction of knowledge about the architectural design activity does not refer only to the way an architect designs but also to the context in which ...

The 54th International Conference of the Architectural Science Association

Manuel Mühlbauer

This position paper describes a pathway and methodology towards creative systems in architectural design. Drawing from creativity research and strategic design methods, an agile approach to exploration of deep learning technology in the context of architectural optimisation was developed. The investigation proposed and defined the nature of a framework, which explored ways of integrating architectural shape design with machine intelligence. Furthermore, the paper elaborates the implications and potential for impact of deep learning techniques on advancing human-computer-interaction for architectural optimisation. However, the described framework might be used as a design scheme for an active tool to drive design processes and support decision-making in early stages of architectural design. The components of the framework defined interfaces and critical points of investigation for application of the presented methodology in creative practice. In this way the research contributes to the theoretical and methodological development of creative systems research. At its heart, this generative design study involved the definition of a clear research trajectory, challenges and opportunities of supporting creative practice by means of design systems. Finally, the potential of machine intelligence to generate creative work with and without human guidance or performance criteria was examined.

Krishi Sanskriti Publications

Apurva Gour

Architecture is one of the most distinctive branches of education which requires creative capabilities. Architecture is different than any other courses. It required different approach for its pedagogy. It requires students to learn an entirely new way of thinking and seeing the world. It requires a whole new vocabulary. The architecture design process is based on a creative phase where creativity is highly valued. This study aims to understand the essentials of a good design studio focusing on creative techniques, used in architectural design studios to enhance the quality of design output generated by students in initial stage of design. There is an established need to explore various Creativity techniques for idea generation as an integral part of the architectural design pedagogical process. The use of methods that may enhance creativity in architectural design-studios can enhance the final output of design studio produced by students. The study will end by proposing various creative techniques that may enhance creativity in architectural design studios and can improve the final output of design studio produced by students. This study will consequently help in the design of more effective strategies for architectural design studio pedagogy.

Fifth International Congress of International Association of Societies of Design Research IASDR

Tamir El-Khouly

This paper investigates the emergence of creative insights in architectural design processes with an aim to investigate whether there is a recurring pattern between design creativity and cognition. In the design process, paradigm shifts and sudden changes in the flow of prevailing thoughts are venues of interest to search for creative insights. Our question is: What is the cognitive context of which the sudden emergence of insights occur in absence of, convergence with, or in conflict with, the preceding established stimulus-responses? A design case study is analysed using a descriptive model; linkography protocol is constructed and the gleams of sudden insights (creative notions) are demarcated. Two major recurring patterns of the emergence of insights are perceived: 1) insights appearing in dense linkograph networks with significance to one chief prevailing idea reflects "incremental" thinking process; the concept evolves through accumulative gradual moves of design), while 2) sudden stimulations appear often in the transferral (bridging) nodes between different sub-networks, with high probability to emerge with multiple exchanges of ideas between sketching media. This outcome supports the argument that breakthrough ideas result in the collision between two different hunches of thought (i.e. early preceding and late ones) and that no ideas come from nowhere.

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Thesis Helpers

Find the best tips and advice to improve your writing. Or, have a top expert write your paper.

110 Fantastic Graphic Design Thesis Ideas To Succeed

Graphic Design is an art where professionals plan and practice creating visual and textual content to deliver messages. In today’s world, it’s the most innovative and most effective way for businesses to connect with their consumers.

Graphic design has many forms, from a simple business logo to a complex page layout on a website. The magazine covers, posters, logos, business cards, websites, and mobile apps are only a few examples of what graphic design businesses can deliver as their concept to their clients and audience. A good graphic designer should know how to attract people by displaying innovative and appealing content. Hence, it’s crucial to master the ways to express ideas creatively.

Why Is Graphic Design Thesis Important for Students?

Creating an excellent thesis using some unique and intricate graphic design research topics is essential to have a successful career in this field. Also, it’s crucial to do graphic design research to wow potential employers for good prospects. The thesis paper is the gist of what you have learned for your bachelor’s degree in university life; therefore, it’s vital to showcase creative thinking and impressive skills. There are tons of thesis ideas for graphic design that allow the students to be creative and show their full potential. To help you ace your graphic design research paper, we will be discussing every step of creating the thesis in detail.

Creating A Winning Thesis Proposal for Graphic Design

For the best graphic designing thesis project, students should have strong writing skills and complete knowledge of visual design principles. Moreover, students should know the advanced application of the skills they have learned. Furthermore, choosing the topic according to your grade in school, college or university is essential. Senior students can choose a thesis topic from the several graphic design senior thesis topics available online. Sometimes people attend workshops to learn the art of creating an impressive graphic design research paper. We have simplified the thesis writing process for students who are not keen to participate in workshops. People who have some knowledge may also benefit from the blog as it provides simple tips that you can follow to get started. Here are some things to keep in mind when preparing and writing you graphic design dissertation:

• Have a catchy introduction. A perfect intro will create a good impression and would encourage the reader to read on. Therefore, it’s essential to choose a passionate topic as anything written with heart can easily catch the reader’s attention. Unleash your artistic side to express yourself eloquently. It’s better to start with a short introduction. Keep it brief so that you can capture the reader’s attention.
• Create a strong problem Statement. Knowing the background of the problem or the topic you are dealing with allows you to create a convincing problem statement. In this part of the thesis, you will highlight your research question around the cause of your research. You should write a page-long description of evaluating various options and choose the most suitable one. This part of the graphic design research doesn’t have to be elaborate.
• Include an Aim and Objectives of the Study section. Use this part of the thesis to provide reasons why the chosen topic is significant. Let the reader know about your intent behind the research. These are the outcomes that you hope to achieve from your project. Also, use this part of the graphic design writing to display the objectives behind your research. The reader should have all the answers to why you want to address the highlighted graphic design issues.
• Describe the method you use. In this section of your thesis, describe the methodology you will use to attain your goal. You should highlight all the methods available, compare them and select the most viable option. You can add details about the software, print media, or any other media platform you have used to complete your graphic design writing.
• Prepare a literature review. Creating a literature review is an integral part of the project as it contains details of the type of research you carried out and how you conducted them. Also, it provides a theoretical framework for your dissertation, giving the reader an insight into where you started, the ideas you chose, and where the concepts have brought you.
• Highlight the key ideas, scope, and limitations of the study. Coming towards the end of your research, you should specify the critical objectives attained from the project. Also, the project’s scope should identify the advanced uses and the limitation of the concept discussed in the thesis. Keep your content original and take as much thesis help you need from the sources available for an outstanding dissertation.

Graphic Design Thesis Topics

According to your interest, there are many topics you can look for on the internet for your graphic design thesis topic. We have researched to compile the 110 most interesting graphic design research paper topics; you are sure to find the best one for your thesis. From environment enthusiast to an art school student, our diverse topics will help you find the best topic for your thesis.

Best Graphic Design Thesis Topics

• Uses Of Graphic Design To Create Environmental Awareness
• Current And Future Trends In The Commonly Used Software For Graphic Designs
• Design And Culture Expectations
• Enhancing Understanding Through Visual Imaging
• The New Graphic And Media Designs
• The Fall Of Desktop Publishing
• Development Of Web Animation.How The Internet Shaped Animation Content
• The Evolution Of Newspaper Ads In The Technological Era
• Role Of Personality In Arts
• Set Creation In The Film Industry Using Graphic Design
• Theme Design For Restaurants
• Elements Of Persuasion And Graphic Design
• Commercial Design: Dealing With The Clients To Facilitate Feedback
• Organisationational Branding And Websites.
• Role Of Visual Hierarchy To Create Customer Perception Of E-Commerce Stores
• Art Directors: Transformational Heads
• How Graphic Designs Are Used In The Making Of Directories
• Role Of Graphic Design In The Evolution Of Modern Cinema
• Creating A Colorful Classroom
• Typeset: Principles And Techniques
• How Color Theory Effects Graphic Design
• How To Smartly Use Space In Design Esthetics
• Effect Of Organizational Branding And Logos On Sales
• Use Of Graphic Design For Social Commentary And Street Art
• Use Of Graphic Design For Movie Festival Promotion
• Newspaper Ads And Graphic Design. How They Mold Consumer Buying Behavior
• Graphic Designing Tools And How The Industry They Have Impacted The Industry
• How Does Color Psychology Trigger Emotions? A Case Study On Baker-Miller Pink

Top Graphic Design Thesis Ideas

• A Case Study On Renowned Graphic Designers Of The Time
• Influence Of Tv On Graphic Design
• Role Of Computers In The Evolution Of Graphic Design
• How Graphic Design Is Used In Game Interfaces To Attract Consumers
• Importance Of Balance In Creating Impressive Visuals. A Graphic Design Basic
• Conventional Designing Software Vs. Online Graphic Designing Tools. Which Is More Convenient?
• How Does Visual Heuristics Help In Segmenting The Viewer’s Attention?
• Use Of Graphic Design For Political Satire
• How Brands Use Negative Spacing To Affect The Subconscious Minds Of Consumers
• Role Of Web Graphics In Creating Visitor’s Trust
• Defining Consumer Perceptions To Web Designs
• Theories Of Graphic Design. Application And Importance In The Design Industry
• Human Psychological Connections And Color Selection
• How Online Gaming Trends Have Changed
• Impact Of Theory Of Repetition On Consumer Buying Behavior
• Multimedia Design And How It Has Changed The World Around Us
• Importance Of Graphic Design To Generate Sales For Online Service Providers
• Evolution Of Digital Art Over The Years
• Graphic Design In The 20th Century
• Advertisement And The Subliminal Messages
• Use Of Powerpoint Presentations To Create Amazing Designs
• Graphic Design Trends In The 21st Century

Excellent Thesis Ideas for Graphic Design

• Propaganda Posters: Political Messages
• How Email Marketing Has Changed
• Development Of Career Paths In Graphic Design
• Essentials Of Business Branding
• How Graphic Design Revolutionized Product Packaging
• Redesigning A Book Cover
• Growth Of Graphic Design Over The Years
• Evolution Of Vehicle Wraps Using Graphic Design
• Cost-Benefit Analysis Of Investing In A Graphic Designer
• Analyzing The Role Of Colors In Graphic Design
• Trade Show Displays And Signage To Create Attention
• Analyzing Various Techniques Used By Graphic Designers
• Use Of Graphic Design To Create Infographics
• Exploring How Service Design Impacts Visual Information
• Studying The Application Of Graphic Design In Advanced Technology
• How Does The Use Of Warm Colors Help Viewers Connect With Your Facebook Posts
• A Case Study On Consumer Psychology-Difference Between Warm And Cool Colors
• Use Of Graphic Design To Create Images For Blogs
• Use Of Artificial Intelligence In Graphic Design
• Photo Collages And Their Importance For Youngsters
• Evaluating The Value Of The Visual Design Structure

Interesting Graphic Design Research Topics

• Impact Of Artistic Sensibility In Graphic Design
• How Banners To Aid In Conveying Messages
• Analyzing Average Budget For Graphic Design Projects
• Importance Of Graphic Design Education Across Borders
• Impact Of Appealing Products On Consumer Choices
• Retargeting Ads To Reach Out To The Target Market More Efficiently
• Perspectives Of People On Visual Communication Design Education
• Learning How To Apply The Theory To The Graphic Design Course
• Analyzing The Trends In Graphic Design During The Past Decade
• Graphic Novel-A Literature Review
• Business Cards. An Essential For Businesses
• Relationship Between Pop Culture And Graphic Design
• Recognizing The Qualities Of A Professional Graphic Designer
• Using Secondary Research To Explore The Various Features Of Web Design
• Creative Coloring Books For Kids
• Outcomes And Impact Of Graphic Design On The Consumer Market For The Top Brands Of The Country
• Reinterpretation Of A Classic Book Cover
• How Does The Design Language Trigger Brand Retention In The Minds Of Customers
• Use Of Animation To Create Beautiful Postcards
• 10-Minute Projects That Will Amaze You

Graphic Design Senior Thesis Topics

• Use Of Graphic Design To Create A Plant Identifying App
• Flat Logo Designs V/S Gradient Logo Designs. A Case Study On The Automobile Industry
• Use Of Computer Graphics And Advertisement To Change Consumer Behavior
• Effect Of Contrast Colors To Drive Consumer Buying Behavior
• Passion Project: Following Your Dream
• How Businesses Use Brochures To Attract Sales
• Use Of Print Media And Advertisements To Change Consumer Buying Behavior
• Logos. Essential For A Business Image
• How Clothing Brands Use Graphic Design To Create Designs
• 20th Century Evolution Of Computer Graphics
• A Case Study On Computer Graphic Designers
• Impact Of Using Filters In Videos To Gain Customer Attention And Sales
• Use Of Psychological Triggers In Graphic Design To Create Customer Loyalty
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• Commercial Distinctiveness And Graphic Design
• A Case Study On The Top Marketing Agencies Of The Country
• A Case Study On Apple. How It Molds Consumer Buying Behavior
• How Does The Consumer Remember Your Brand? A Case Study On Louis Vuitton
• Impact Of Design To Create Sales For E-Commerce Stores

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When you start your thesis, you may encounter various graphic design issues, but keep your eyes on the master’s degree and keep working hard. You can also hire low-cost native writers for your project plan by googling “Do my research for graphic design thesis.” These professionals will provide complete research for your thesis topic, as well as high-quality content, and will also proofread your thesis when you are done. Moreover, writing professionals offer reliable services, so you don’t have to worry that your thesis idea will get stolen or hacked.

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Urban Design Thesis Handbook

• April 20, 2023
• Architecture thesis , Thesis Projects , Urban design , Urban Planning , Urban thesis

Modern city planning relies heavily on urban design. Rapid urbanisation has led to a rise in the complexity of city life, necessitating the creation of plans and policies to better regulate the interdependencies between people and places. Thesis projects in urban design provide students with a rare chance to participate in this process, allowing them to investigate novel approaches to resolving urban issues and expanding the bounds of conventional design practise.

An  urban design  thesis project calls for intensive study, critical thinking, and originality. Students face many obstacles on the road to writing a strong thesis, from choosing a topic to delivering a presentation. In this article, we’ll lay out a complete guide for students who want to write a thesis on urban design.

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Selecting a Topic

The first crucial step in writing an urban design thesis is choosing a topic. There are many different areas you might take your research in the large topic of urban design. It’s critical to pick a subject that complements your interests and expertise while tackling a pressing urban issue.

The first thing to consider when selecting a topic is your passion for a particular aspect of urban design. Do you find yourself drawn to sustainability, transportation, public spaces, or housing? Identifying your interests will help you narrow down your focus and identify areas that you’d like to explore further.

The viability of your issue must also be taken into account. This entails determining if there is sufficient prior study or data on which you can base your work. It’s also critical to consider whether you’ll have access to the data and tools you need to successfully finish your research.

It’s crucial to do a preliminary study to find any knowledge gaps before assessing viability. Seek out chances to advance the field by putting out fresh hypotheses, methods, or design concepts that tackle urban issues.

It’s also beneficial to think about your topic’s larger perspective. How does your subject relate to the broader debate over urban design? Exist any current issues or discussions on the subject? You can find research gaps and gain a more complex understanding of the urban issue you’re tackling by situating your research within the larger framework of urban design.

Furthermore, it’s critical to think about how your topic will be used in real-world situations. Will the applications of your research and design be applicable in the actual world? You may make sure that your work has relevance and impact outside of the academic world by taking into account the practical ramifications of your research.

Developing a Research Question

Making a research question that will direct your entire project is the following stage after choosing a topic for your urban design thesis. Your study objectives should be supported with a clear, quantifiable research question. It ought to provide your research and design efforts a distinct focus.

When creating a research topic, start by thinking about the issue you hope to resolve. What is the problem you’re trying to solve, and why is it important? What underlies this issue’s root causes? Your focus will be more focused and you’ll be able to spot places that need more research if you can identify the issue.

Next, consider the stakeholders involved. Who are the groups or individuals impacted by the urban problem you’re addressing? It’s crucial to understand the perspectives and needs of all stakeholders to develop effective and inclusive design solutions.

It’s also essential to take into account the methods already in use to solve the issue. What are the current approaches or tactics being employed to deal with the problem? What are their advantages and disadvantages? You can create original answers to urban challenges by determining the gaps in existing research or design thinking.

To ensure that your research question is specific and measurable, it’s essential to frame it in a way that can be answered through data collection and analysis. This means avoiding vague or broad questions and instead focusing on specific research objectives.

The emphasis and methodology of your thesis should be succinctly and clearly summarised in your research question. It ought to highlight the importance of the urban issue you’re tackling and the ground-breaking fixes you’re suggesting.

Consider the following when developing your research question:

• What is the problem you’re trying to solve?
• Who are the stakeholders involved?
• What are the existing approaches to addressing this problem?
• What are the gaps in current research or design thinking?

Your research question should provide a clear and concise summary of your thesis’s focus and approach.

Conducting Research

With your topic and research question established, the next step is to conduct research. Urban design theses require a combination of qualitative and quantitative research, including site analysis, literature reviews, and case studies.

Site analysis is a crucial component of urban design research. It involves observing and documenting the physical, social, and cultural features of the site you’re studying. This information will inform your design decisions and help you understand the site’s potential.

Literature reviews and case studies provide context for your research question. They allow you to explore existing research and design strategies related to your topic, identifying gaps in current thinking and potential solutions.

Designing Solutions

The designing solutions or proposed strategies is the last part of an urban design thesis. To answer your research question and resolve the issue you’ve identified, you’ll do further study and draw up a set of design solutions. In consideration of the site’s physical and sociological conditions, the proposed solutions should be creative, doable, and applicable.

Drawings, diagrams, and models should all be part of your presentation of your design solutions. It’s crucial to articulate your design goals and the nature of the problem you’re trying to solve in a way that makes the case for your proposed solutions.

Final Presentation

A key part of an urban design thesis is creating the final presentation. It’s a chance to highlight the importance of your research, offer creative design solutions, and show that you understand the subject thoroughly. Consider the following to make your presentation compelling, educational, and engaging:

Use clear and concise language:

Your presentation should be easy to understand, even for those who are not familiar with your research or urban design concepts. Use clear and concise language, avoid technical jargon, and explain any complex ideas in simple terms.

Focus on the most important aspects of your research and design process:

Your presentation should focus on the most critical aspects of your thesis, including the problem you’re addressing, your research question, your research methodology, and your design solutions. It’s important to be selective and highlight only the most significant findings and insights to ensure that your audience stays engaged.

Include visual aids to improve your presentation:

Diagrams, maps, photographs, and sketches can be used to show design ideas and increase the impact of your speech. Visuals should be used sparingly and deliberately, enhancing rather than detracting from your message.

Practice your presentation several times:

You should rehearse your presentation multiple times to make sure you are familiar with the content. You can get more at ease with your subject matter, lessen anxiety, and ensure that you can deliver your presentation easily and confidently by practising it multiple times. To get feedback and enhance your delivery, think about practising in front of a mirror or with friends or family.

Engage your audience:

Making a presentation engaging for your audience is essential. Encourage questions, offer chances for discussion, and be open to criticism. You can improve your thoughts, learn new information, and eventually reinforce your thesis by involving your audience.

Urban design theses give students a special chance to actually change the urban landscape. Students can undertake in-depth study and produce workable answers to critical urban problems by choosing a pertinent and practicable topic and formulating a clear research question.

It’s crucial to stay focused and methodical throughout the thesis-writing process. Successful urban design theses must incorporate extensive research, data analysis, and consideration of stakeholders’ demands.

To sum up, writing an urban design thesis demands commitment, ingenuity, and a desire to improve urban surroundings. Students can affect change in the urban design industry by embracing the difficulties and chances given by this process.

Urban Design Lab

About the author.

This is the admin account of Urban Design Lab. This account publishes articles written by team members, contributions from guest writers, and other occasional submissions. Please feel free to contact us if you have any questions or comments.

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Home > Landscape Architecture > Landscape Architecture Masters Theses

Landscape Architecture Masters Theses

Fully accredited by the American Society of Landscape Architects, RISD’s MLA program is unique in that it gives students access to a wide range of fine art and design courses on campus, along with classes at Brown University, study abroad options and a six-week Wintersession that allows for focused study on campus or off. In addition, the program revolves around environmental and global issues, with recent involvement in projects in Bangladesh, Costa Rica, Ghana and beyond.

In the final year, students complete the course of study by developing a thesis and a methodology for testing their conceptual premise through a committed design project. This final requirement differs from most programs, and allows students to spend the time they need to develop a visual and written language that articulates their interests and future direction. All MLA candidates also participate in the RISD Graduate Thesis Exhibition, a large-scale public show held annually.

These works are licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-No Derivative Works 4.0 License .

Theses from 2023 2023

Starting From Ecotone Reconnecting Fragmented Mission Hill , Xinyi Cai

Arctic Resilience: Adaptive Networks of Self-Sufficiency , Jingjing Cui

Beyond the Lines , Miranda-Max de Beer

Abundance within Scarcity: Food Security in the Favelas of Brazil , Menglin Ding

Cities of Tomorrow Future Urban Planning Strategies , Jingyu Ge

Landscape De/Re-Construction through Art , Manuel Gonzalez

Liquid Border , YINGFAN JIA

FLOWS OF SOUND “Harnessing Sound As Critical Urban Resources” , Zuan Lin

Temporary urbanism-spatial democracy in the temporary city , Shijie Li

MODERN NOMADISM ——A network of reciprocal moorings , Jinting Liu

Enhancing Wellbeing In Public Landscape Through Light , Ruiqing Miao

CRACKS OF THE CITY: Crack as an invitation for informality , Yusha Miao

The Root of Culture: Human Ritual and the Soils of West Virginia , Aleece Mount

Celebrate Scarcity: Water Harvesting as Cultural Keystone , Jiajun Ni

Orchestration of Experience , Jingyi Shen

SENSIBLE NATURE: To “See” As We Once Did , Yuhan Su

Vanishing Ice , Zhehao Tang

Rebuild Relationships Between City, Agriculture and Ecosystem in the World of the Drought , Ninghao Wang

Moving In, Moving Up, Moving On : The adaptation and preservation of Chinese diasporas through food , Jieqi Yao

Watering the Soul: Reintroduction of Water to the Urban Space , Danfei Zhang

Healing the Haunted: Rituals of Mourning and Suture , Pian Zhang

City as Cemetery , Siqiao Zhao

Theses from 2022 2022

X-Era: adaptation to the future uncertainty with sustainable Indigenous wisdom , Ruoyuan Chen

Systemic design: Experiments to trigger pedestrian empathy in the urban system , Yu Chen

City of intelligent soil: systematic approach towards urban soil mutualism , Yuting Chen

To mine or not to mine? Epistemological development of the Pebble Mine landscape in Lake Iliamna area as a resilient commons system , Chenfang (Vincent) Gang

Urban vine: reimagine the scaffolding as a repair opportunity to transform the ecosystem , Shuyi Guan

Arriving in the city: reimagining the urban footholds for rural workers , Xinlei Gu

Scalability system: A tool for bioregional navigation , Lulu Hou

We walk, we live: reclaiming the rights of female and other gender minorities to the urban commons , Wenxi (Hillary) Huang

Darkness matters: understanding the ecological effects and human sensory perception of night lighting , Zitong (Shirley) Hui

Field guide to gendered public life : balancing the preservation of the existing vibrant public life with the improvement of the female experience , Christina Koutsoukou

Regenerating the ground: Using regenerative agricultural practices to increase urban food production and restore the health of soils , Yuxiao Liao

Anti-gentrification: reconnect Chinatown through culture practice , Xianzhongge (Allen) Liu

Aquatic assemblages: improving dragonfly habitat and water quality in an urban park , Yan Liu

Trash matters: material strategies for prolonging the life of single-use plastic , Zixin Li

Infection-free landscape: adaptable urban open space design during and after the COVID-19 pandemic , Weirong Luo

Offshore speculation: generative ethics for submerged lands , Leigh Miller

Design in support of playfulness , Seung Hwan Oh

Emotional experience: An exploration of reestablishing the connection with nature through novel street tree planning in Providence, RI , Xiuyan Qin

Living with fire , Mohan Wang

Farming publics: Use farming practices as a tool to de-alienate people with land , Sirui Wang

Sensory resilience in urban walkingscapes: Space making strategies for streetside public systems in neuro- inclusive city visions , Yingying Wang

Slow down: Investigating how pop-up installations transform multi-use space , Yuanrui Wang

Landscape of resistance: reimagining public space for a vibrant socio-political life , Ziyu Wang

Zoopolis: repurpose urban infrastructure to welcome invisible neighbors , Yu Xiao

The Urban fabric: upcycling textile waste into raw material for urban ground surface design , Wenlin Yang

Agricultural Landscape as cultural practice : through the lens of rice farming , Yumeng Yan

One land / one ocean: reactivate coastal commons in urban territory , Chengie Zhang

Bee stations: refueling bees and creating opportunities for education , Jinghan Zhou

Cross border conservation - China - North Korea border , Ziyu Zhou

The future of the High Plains Aquifer: addressing potential desertification in the Great Plains , Hongfei Zuo

Theses from 2021 2021

Solastalgic ecotone: the critical zone in suspension , Bareeq Bahman

The sixth migration - rural/urban "heterotopia" , Pan Chen

Inclusive multi-sensory landscape: directing visually impaired people in a perception world , Tianqi Chen

Urban tree community: living with tree spirits , Xueying Chen

Blur the boundaries: an aerial coexisting system for birds and humans on rooftops , Yu Fang

Holding: speculative infrastructure for fire mitigation , Ian George

Rewilding Seattle: a green network for both humans and non-humans , Zhouqian Guo

Mutable landscapes: diversity through the lens of the earth's biomass , Ilya Iskhakov

The TEK-way: traditional ecological knowledge: a catalyst to building resilient communities , Smera Rose Jacob

Transforming islands: a living memorial for the Marshall Islands , Chengwen Jiang

Reimagining the damage: an exploration on urban brownfield regeneration strategies , Jun Jiang

Re-foresting: cohabitation of human and trees , Chengyu Ke

Filmic landscape: a performative space with multi-medium , Zhihong Ke

Land, labor, water: an agricultural commons in the Central Valley of California , Jacob Lightman

Post-industry brownfield renewal system: precision strategy and design via the new methodology , Sirui Li

Fluid ground: imagining a floating future for Tuvalu , Yuxi Liu

Eco-waste: household waste material flows in a circular economy , Erqi Meng

Affordable Green: what cause landscape gentrification and how we deal with it , Siyu Pan

Virtuality, reality, community , Siqi Rao

Synthetic undulation: improving the marine life quality on the Indonesian island of Seleyar , Shreeyaa Shah

Community steward of the deep bay: staging Lau Fau Shan for resiliency through collective participation , Lauren Tam

Across the boundary: addressing segregation along transportation infrastructure , Ruochen Wang

Regional food self sufficiency: new visions for productive landscapes , Yiling Wang

Wandering land: landscape on space station , Xin Wen

Optics / perception / experience: regenerating agricultural landscape through railways , Tianyi Xie

A better city for her: design safer public spaces for women in the United States and China , Geruihan Xu

Mother river: restoring transiting producing , Rui Yang

Eco-corridor for wildlife: reclamation of wildlife habitat in Rhode Island , Xiaodong Yang

Negative carbon growth in the atmosphere: to reverse the growth of carbon in the atmosphere through urban reforestation , Hanchao Zhang

Eco-concrete: reimaging Nantucket infrastructure system , Huaiwen Zhang

Driftscape: maximize urban space uses in the context of densification , Sida Zhang

The second identity: the human-otters ha-ha - utopia for urban animals , Yuxin Zhang

Feeling at home: working with the rhythm of the day to support seniors in urban villages , Guoxi Zhou

Theses from 2020 2020

This land is your land: democratizing landscape architecture , Adrienne Emmerich

A material cooperation over time , Diana Marcela Gallo

Urban storytelling: rebuilding the understanding of place via immersive narrative , Xue Gao

Flowing garments: textile waste reutilization in landscape design , Fengjiao Ge

Generative landscapes: successional and equitable plant propagation on Rhode Island's public lands , Elizabeth Hunt

Mountainous city , Yixuan Hu

Territories of trash: designing the overlap of spaces of disposal and acquisition , Mary Kokorda Cavazos

Dynamic landscape: The theatre of time unfolding , Mo Kong

42nd Soundscaping: sound as media for reshaping urban ecology , Chao Li

3D simulation in flooding Providence , Qing Liu

Urban ecotone: restoring the water-land balance as a strategy for social equity , Yuzhe Ma

Landscapes of exposure: reframing the connection between body + environment , Kayla Murgo

What is rural design? decentralized & community-driven approaches for the Green New Deal that value existing rural land and community , Cornelia Overton

Urban palimpsest: re-placing memory in war torn city Dresden , Xinyi Sun

Reviving the hollowing rural village: research on the coastal mountainous region of Kaihua, China , Rui Tao

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Digital Commons @ USF > College of Engineering > Mechanical Engineering > Theses and Dissertations

Mechanical Engineering Theses and Dissertations

Theses/dissertations from 2023 2023.

Metachronal Locomotion: Swimming, Scaling, and Schooling , Kuvvat Garayev

A Human-in-the-Loop Robot Grasping System with Grasp Quality Refinement , Tian Tan

Theses/Dissertations from 2022 2022

Health Effects of Oil Spills and Dispersal of Oil Droplets and Zooplankton by Langmuir Cells , Sanjib Gurung

Estimating the As-Placed Grout Volume of Auger Cast Piles , Tristen Mee

Hybrid RANS-LES Hemolytic Power Law Modeling of the FDA Blood Pump , Joseph Tarriela

Theses/Dissertations from 2021 2021

Dynamic Loading Directed Neural Stem Cell Differentiation , Abdullah Revaha Akdemir

An Investigation of Cross-links on Crystallization and Degradation in a Novel, PhotoCross-linkable Poly (Lactic Acid) System , Nicholas Baksh

A Framework to Aid Decision Making for Smart Manufacturing Technologies in Small-and Medium-Sized Enterprises , Purvee Bhatia

Formation of Gas Jets and Vortex Rings from Bursting Bubbles: Visualization, Kinematics, and Fluid Dynamics , Ali A. Dasouqi

Development of Carbon and Silicon Carbide Based Microelectrode Implantable Neural Interfaces , Chenyin Feng

Sulfate Optimization in the Cement-Slag Blended System Based on Calorimetry and Strength Studies , Mustafa Fincan

Interrelation of Thermal Stimulation with Haptic Perception, Emotion, and Memory , Mehdi Hojatmadani

Modeling the Ambient Conditions of a Manufacturing Environment Using Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) , Yang Liu

Flow Visualization and Aerosol Characterization of Respiratory Jets Exhaled from a Mannequin Simulator , Sindhu Reddy Mutra

A Constitutive-Based Deep Learning Model for the Identification of Active Contraction Parameters of the Left Ventricular Myocardium , Igor Augusto Paschoalotte Nobrega

Sensible/Latent Hybrid Thermal Energy Storage for the Supercritical Carbon Dioxide Brayton Cycle , Kelly Osterman

Evaluating the Performance of Devices Engineering to Quantify the FARS Test , Harsh Patel

Event-Triggered Control Architectures for Scheduling Information Exchange in Uncertain and Multiagent Systems , Stefan Ristevski

Theses/Dissertations from 2020 2020

Experimental Investigation of Liquid Height Estimation and Simulation Verification of Bolt Tension Quantification Using Surface Acoustic Waves , Hani Alhazmi

Investigation of Navigation Systems for Size, Cost, and Mass Constrained Satellites , Omar Awad

Simulation and Verification of Phase Change Materials for Thermal Energy Storage , Marwan Mosubah Belaed

Control of a Human Arm Robotic Unit Using Augmented Reality and Optimized Kinematics , Carlo Canezo

Manipulation and Patterning of Mammalian Cells Using Vibrations and Acoustic Forces , Joel Cooper

Stable Adaptive Control Systems in the Presence of Unmodeled and Actuator Dynamics , Kadriye Merve Dogan

The Design and Development of a Wrist-Hand Orthosis , Amber Gatto

ROBOAT - Rescue Operations Bot Operating in All Terrains , Akshay Gulhane

Mitigation of Electromigration in Metal Interconnects Passivated by Ångstrom-Thin 2D Materials , Yunjo Jeong

Swimming of Pelagic Snails: Kinematics and Fluid Dynamics , Ferhat Karakas

Functional Gait Asymmetries Achieved Through Modeling and Understanding the Interaction of Multiple Gait Modulations , Fatemeh Rasouli

Distributed Control of Multiagent Systems under Heterogeneity , Selahattin Burak Sarsilmaz

Design and Implementation of Intuitive Human-robot Teleoperation Interfaces , Lei Wu

Laser Micropatterning Effects on Corrosion Resistance of Pure Magnesium Surfaces , Yahya Efe Yayoglu

Theses/Dissertations from 2019 2019

Synthesis and Characterization of Molybdenum Disulfide/Conducting Polymer Nanocomposite Materials for Supercapacitor Applications , Turki S. Alamro

Design of Shape-Morphing Structures Consisting of Bistable Compliant Mechanisms , Rami Alfattani

Low Temperature Multi Effects Desalination-Mechanical Vapor Compression Powered by Supercritical Organic Rankine Cycle , Eydhah Almatrafi

Experimental Results of a Model Reference Adaptive Control Approach on an Interconnected Uncertain Dynamical System , Kemberly Cespedes

Modeling of Buildings with Electrochromic Windows and Thermochromic Roofs , Hua-Ting Kao

Design and Testing of Experimental Langmuir Turbulence Facilities , Zongze Li

Solar Thermal Geothermal Hybrid System With a Bottoming Supercritical Organic Rankine Cycle , Francesca Moloney

Design and Testing of a Reciprocating Wind Harvester , Ahmet Topcuoglu

Distributed Spatiotemporal Control and Dynamic Information Fusion for Multiagent Systems , Dzung Minh Duc Tran

Controlled Wetting Using Ultrasonic Vibration , Matthew A. Trapuzzano

On Distributed Control of Multiagent Systems under Adverse Conditions , Emre Yildirim

Theses/Dissertations from 2018 2018

Synthesis and Characterization of Alpha-Hematite Nanomaterials for Water-Splitting Applications , Hussein Alrobei

Control of Uncertain Dynamical Systems with Spatial and Temporal Constraints , Ehsan Arabi

Simulation and Optimization of a Sheathless Size-Based Acoustic Particle Separator , Shivaraman Asoda

Simulation of Radiation Flux from Thermal Fluid in Origami Tubes , Robert R. Bebeau

Toward Verifiable Adaptive Control Systems: High-Performance and Robust Architectures , Benjamin Charles Gruenwald

Developing Motion Platform Dynamics for Studying Biomechanical Responses During Exercise for Human Spaceflight Applications , Kaitlin Lostroscio

Design and Testing of a Linear Compliant Mechanism with Adjustable Force Output , William Niemeier

Investigation of Thermal History in Large Area Projection Sintering, an Additive Manufacturing Technology , Justin Nussbaum

Acoustic Source Localization with a VTOL sUAV Deployable Module , Kory Olney

Defect Detection in Additive Manufacturing Utilizing Long Pulse Thermography , James Pierce

Design and Testing of a Passive Prosthetic Ankle Foot Optimized to Mimic an Able-Bodied Gait , Millicent Schlafly

Simulation of Turbulent Air Jet Impingement for Commercial Cooking Applications , Shantanu S. Shevade

Materials and Methods to Fabricate Porous Structures Using Additive Manufacturing Techniques , Mohsen Ziaee

Theses/Dissertations from 2017 2017

Large Area Sintering Test Platform Design and Preliminary Study on Cross Sectional Resolution , Christopher J. Gardiner

Enhanced Visible Light Photocatalytic Remediation of Organics in Water Using Zinc Oxide and Titanium Oxide Nanostructures , Srikanth Gunti

Heat Flux Modeling of Asymmetrically Heated and Cooled Thermal Stimuli , Matthew Hardy

Simulation of Hemiparetic Function Using a Knee Orthosis with Variable Impedance and a Proprioception Interference Apparatus , Christina-Anne Kathleen Lahiff

Synthesis, Characterization, and Application of Molybdenum Oxide Nanomaterials , Michael S. McCrory

Effects of Microstructure and Alloy Concentration on the Corrosion and Tribocorrosion Resistance of Al-Mn and WE43 Mg Alloys , Hesham Y. Saleh Mraied

Novel Transducer Calibration and Simulation Verification of Polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) Channels on Acoustic Microfluidic Devices , Scott T. Padilla

Force Compensation and Recreation Accuracy in Humans , Benjamin Rigsby

Experimental Evaluation of Cooling Effectiveness and Water Conservation in a Poultry House Using Flow Blurring ® Atomizers , Rafael M. Rodriguez

Media Velocity Considerations in Pleated Air Filtration , Frederik Carl Schousboe

Orthoplanar Spring Based Compliant Force/Torque Sensor for Robot Force Control , Jerry West

Experimental Study of High-Temperature Range Latent Heat Thermal Energy Storage , Chatura Wickramaratne

Theses/Dissertations from 2016 2016

Al/Ti Nanostructured Multilayers: from Mechanical, Tribological, to Corrosion Properties , Sina Izadi

Molybdenum Disulfide-Conducting Polymer Composite Structures for Electrochemical Biosensor Applications , Hongxiang Jia

Waterproofing Shape-Changing Mechanisms Using Origami Engineering; Also a Mechanical Property Evaluation Approach for Rapid Prototyping , Andrew Jason Katz

Hydrogen Effects on X80 Steel Mechanical Properties Measured by Tensile and Impact Testing , Xuan Li

Application and Analysis of Asymmetrical Hot and Cold Stimuli , Ahmad Manasrah

Droplet-based Mechanical Actuator Utilizing Electrowetting Effect , Qi Ni

Experimental and Computational Study on Fracture Mechanics of Multilayered Structures , Hai Thanh Tran

Designing the Haptic Interface for Morse Code , Michael Walker

Optimization and Characterization of Integrated Microfluidic Surface Acoustic Wave Sensors and Transducers , Tao Wang

Corrosion Characteristics of Magnesium under Varying Surface Roughness Conditions , Yahya Efe Yayoglu

Theses/Dissertations from 2015 2015

Carbon Dioxide (CO 2 ) Emissions, Human Energy, and Cultural Perceptions Associated with Traditional and Improved Methods of Shea Butter Processing in Ghana, West Africa , Emily Adams

Experimental Investigation of Encapsulated Phase Change Materials for Thermal Energy Storage , Tanvir E. Alam

Design Of Shape Morphing Structures Using Bistable Elements , Ahmad Alqasimi

Heat Transfer Analysis of Slot Jet Impingement onto Roughened Surfaces , Rashid Ali Alshatti

Systems Approach to Producing Electrospun Polyvinylidene Difluoride Fiber Webs with Controlled Fiber Structure and Functionality , Brian D. Bell

Self-Assembly Kinetics of Microscale Components: A Parametric Evaluation , Jose Miguel Carballo

Measuring Polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) Mechanical Properties Using Flat Punch Nanoindentation Focusing on Obtaining Full Contact , Federico De Paoli

A Numerical and Experimental Investigation of Flow Induced Noise In Hydraulic Counterbalance Valves , Mutasim Mohamed Elsheikh

An Experimental Study on Passive Dynamic Walking , Philip Andrew Hatzitheodorou

Use of Anaerobic Adhesive for Prevailing Torque Locking Feature on Threaded Product , Alan Hernandez

Viability of Bismuth as a Green Substitute for Lead in Jacketed .357 Magnum Revolver Bullets , Joel A. Jenkins

A Planar Pseudo-Rigid-Body Model for Cantilevers Experiencing Combined Endpoint Forces and Uniformly Distributed Loads Acting in Parallel , Philip James Logan

Kinematic Control of Redundant Mobile Manipulators , Mustafa Mashali

Passive Symmetry in Dynamic Systems and Walking , Haris Muratagic

Mechanical Properties of Laser-Sintered-Nylon Diamond Lattices , Clayton Neff

Design, Fabrication and Analysis of a Paver Machine Push Bar Mechanism , Mahendra Palnati

Synthesis, Characterization, and Electrochemical Properties of Polyaniline Thin Films , Soukaina Rami

A Technical and Economic Comparative Analysis of Sensible and Latent Heat Packed Bed Storage Systems for Concentrating Solar Thermal Power Plants , Jamie Trahan

Use of FDM Components for Ion Beam and Vacuum Applications , Eric Miguel Tridas

The Development of an Adaptive Driving Simulator , Sarah Marie Tudor

Dual 7-Degree-of-Freedom Robotic Arm Remote Teleoperation Using Haptic Devices , Yu-Cheng Wang

Ductility and Use of Titanium Alloy and Stainless Steel Aerospace Fasteners , Jarrod Talbott Whittaker

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Think of yourself as a member of a jury, listening to a lawyer who is presenting an opening argument. You'll want to know very soon whether the lawyer believes the accused to be guilty or not guilty, and how the lawyer plans to convince you. Readers of academic essays are like jury members: before they have read too far, they want to know what the essay argues as well as how the writer plans to make the argument. After reading your thesis statement, the reader should think, "This essay is going to try to convince me of something. I'm not convinced yet, but I'm interested to see how I might be."

An effective thesis cannot be answered with a simple "yes" or "no." A thesis is not a topic; nor is it a fact; nor is it an opinion. "Reasons for the fall of communism" is a topic. "Communism collapsed in Eastern Europe" is a fact known by educated people. "The fall of communism is the best thing that ever happened in Europe" is an opinion. (Superlatives like "the best" almost always lead to trouble. It's impossible to weigh every "thing" that ever happened in Europe. And what about the fall of Hitler? Couldn't that be "the best thing"?)

A good thesis has two parts. It should tell what you plan to argue, and it should "telegraph" how you plan to argue—that is, what particular support for your claim is going where in your essay.

Steps in Constructing a Thesis

First, analyze your primary sources.  Look for tension, interest, ambiguity, controversy, and/or complication. Does the author contradict himself or herself? Is a point made and later reversed? What are the deeper implications of the author's argument? Figuring out the why to one or more of these questions, or to related questions, will put you on the path to developing a working thesis. (Without the why, you probably have only come up with an observation—that there are, for instance, many different metaphors in such-and-such a poem—which is not a thesis.)

Once you have a working thesis, write it down.  There is nothing as frustrating as hitting on a great idea for a thesis, then forgetting it when you lose concentration. And by writing down your thesis you will be forced to think of it clearly, logically, and concisely. You probably will not be able to write out a final-draft version of your thesis the first time you try, but you'll get yourself on the right track by writing down what you have.

Keep your thesis prominent in your introduction.  A good, standard place for your thesis statement is at the end of an introductory paragraph, especially in shorter (5-15 page) essays. Readers are used to finding theses there, so they automatically pay more attention when they read the last sentence of your introduction. Although this is not required in all academic essays, it is a good rule of thumb.

Anticipate the counterarguments.  Once you have a working thesis, you should think about what might be said against it. This will help you to refine your thesis, and it will also make you think of the arguments that you'll need to refute later on in your essay. (Every argument has a counterargument. If yours doesn't, then it's not an argument—it may be a fact, or an opinion, but it is not an argument.)

This statement is on its way to being a thesis. However, it is too easy to imagine possible counterarguments. For example, a political observer might believe that Dukakis lost because he suffered from a "soft-on-crime" image. If you complicate your thesis by anticipating the counterargument, you'll strengthen your argument, as shown in the sentence below.

Some Caveats and Some Examples

A thesis is never a question.  Readers of academic essays expect to have questions discussed, explored, or even answered. A question ("Why did communism collapse in Eastern Europe?") is not an argument, and without an argument, a thesis is dead in the water.

A thesis is never a list.  "For political, economic, social and cultural reasons, communism collapsed in Eastern Europe" does a good job of "telegraphing" the reader what to expect in the essay—a section about political reasons, a section about economic reasons, a section about social reasons, and a section about cultural reasons. However, political, economic, social and cultural reasons are pretty much the only possible reasons why communism could collapse. This sentence lacks tension and doesn't advance an argument. Everyone knows that politics, economics, and culture are important.

A thesis should never be vague, combative or confrontational.  An ineffective thesis would be, "Communism collapsed in Eastern Europe because communism is evil." This is hard to argue (evil from whose perspective? what does evil mean?) and it is likely to mark you as moralistic and judgmental rather than rational and thorough. It also may spark a defensive reaction from readers sympathetic to communism. If readers strongly disagree with you right off the bat, they may stop reading.

An effective thesis has a definable, arguable claim.  "While cultural forces contributed to the collapse of communism in Eastern Europe, the disintegration of economies played the key role in driving its decline" is an effective thesis sentence that "telegraphs," so that the reader expects the essay to have a section about cultural forces and another about the disintegration of economies. This thesis makes a definite, arguable claim: that the disintegration of economies played a more important role than cultural forces in defeating communism in Eastern Europe. The reader would react to this statement by thinking, "Perhaps what the author says is true, but I am not convinced. I want to read further to see how the author argues this claim."

A thesis should be as clear and specific as possible.  Avoid overused, general terms and abstractions. For example, "Communism collapsed in Eastern Europe because of the ruling elite's inability to address the economic concerns of the people" is more powerful than "Communism collapsed due to societal discontent."

Copyright 1999, Maxine Rodburg and The Tutors of the Writing Center at Harvard University

A thesis about design fiction

Lindley, Joseph Galen and Coulton, Paul (2018) A thesis about design fiction. PhD thesis, Lancaster University.

This research began as something else. Originally, I sought to research the possible futures of cryptographic currencies, and I encountered Design Fiction for the first time when assembling a methodology for that project. I was enticed by the rhetoric around Design Fiction and the aesthetic of works describing themselves as Design Fiction. However, as I researched the concept more thoroughly it quickly became apparent that grounding an entire doctoral thesis on Design Fiction alone may be problematic due to a lack of consensus around what Design Fiction really is and how it works. Hence, my doctorate pivoted, and rather than using Design Fiction to research another topic, I elected to research Design Fiction itself. Through desk-based research into Design Fiction the thesis establishes that while there are some central notions which seem common to Design Fictions (e.g. a concern with ‘the future’, the use of ‘design’, and a flavour of unreality invoked by the term ‘fiction’) there is little consensus around how these notions should be defined, how they interact with each other, and what—in concrete terms—the nature of the practice that emerges in the space between them really is. Responding to the apparent lack of consensus the thesis explores the following questions: • What is Design Fiction? • What can Design Fiction do? • What are the best ways to achieve that? In order to explore such fundamental conundrums—and guided by Bruce Sterling’s succinct assertion that ‘the best way to understand the many difficulties of design fiction is to attempt to create one’—my responses to these questions were developed using a Research through Design methodology to inform a series of ‘material engagements’ with Design Fiction. These are articulated through a series of ‘case studies’. Each case study uses Design Fiction to explore a different technology or context. These include cryptographic currency, robotic carers, drones, and artificial intelligence. Together the studies create a portfolio of material engagements with Design Fiction that, collectively, underpin contingent responses to the research questions. The thesis concludes that Design Fiction is a type of ‘World Building’ that may be utilised in many different ways, for example as a communication tool, as an ideation aid, or as a research method. Furthermore, the underlying intentionality of any given Design Fiction must be expressed through appropriate media in order to support World Building that is sensitive to both the given domain’s attributes and the factors motivating the use of Design Fiction in the first place. While the Research through Design approach applied in this research aspires only to produce contingent and temporary answers to the research questions, those answers come together as a set of usable and accessible insights useful for unravelling, understanding, utilising Design Fiction, while fostering the practice’s ongoing maturation and adoption into its own near future.

School of Visual Arts MFA Thesis Exhibitions Feature Work by 61 Artists

Emily Taylor Rice (CFA’21,’24) (foreground) and Delaney Burns (CFA’24), both grad students in the College of Fine Arts Print Media & Photography program, working on their respective thesis projects ahead of the School of Visual Arts graduate thesis exhibitions.

Five shows by graduating students in painting, graphic design, sculpture, print media and photography, and visual narrative on view on and off campus through April 20

Sophie yarin, cydney scott.

As the academic year draws to a close and commencement season approaches, there’s no shortage of reasons to celebrate at the College of Fine Arts. Not only does 2024 mark the school’s 70th birthday— CFA was founded as the School of Fine and Applied Arts in 1954 —but it’s also a year of exciting firsts for the School of Visual Arts and its five Master of Fine Arts programs: painting, sculpture, print media and photography, visual narrative, and graphic design. 

This year marks the first that the print media and photography and the visual narrative MFA programs, both launched in 2022, will graduate a class. The 2024 exhibitions also mark the largest cohort to date—61 graduating MFA students—in the school’s history. And for the first time, this year’s shows include an off-campus venue: the sculpture exhibition is being shown at 1270 Commonwealth Ave., where what was once a CVS pharmacy has been transformed into a pop-up art gallery. 

All of the exhibitions, on view through April 20, are free and open to the public. Collectively, they offer a sense of the breadth and depth of work being done by MFA students across a range of mediums. For those who cannot make it to all five of this year’s shows, we’ve pulled together some works from each program for your viewing pleasure. But remember: there’s plenty more to see in person.

The visual arts are often compared to a written language, notes Josephine Halvorson , a CFA professor of art, painting, and chair of graduate studies in painting, in the 2024 painting thesis exhibition catalog. “Reading, literacy, and lexicons are terms we frequently cite in critique,” she writes. “Students [have turned] to language, either materially or analogically, to help them navigate meaning in their work.”

James Gold, Mosaic Excavation with Carpets . Egg tempera, India ink, acrylic gouache, and pigmented gesso on panel.

Abbi Kenny, Atlantic Cranberry Sauce (courtesy of Weight Watchers) . Acrylic, molding paste, acrylic gouache, black pepper, glitter, glass beads, muscovite mica, glass flakes, and yupo collage on canvas.

Some works in this year’s exhibition speak plainly, relying on a strong instinct toward realism and representation. James Gold (CFA’24) imbues his canvases with a photographer’s sense of discovery: his subjects—ancient tapestries, mosaics, and scrolls—are rendered so as to capture every detail and texture.

Paintings by Abigail Kenny (CFA’24) share Gold’s photorealistic sensibility, but her concerns are more outlandish, less rarefied. Vivid-hued reproductions of illustrated recipe cards, from Kenny’s own family collection, comment on Andy Warhol’s iconic soup cans from the early 1960s.

Ellen Weitkamp, Remembering 75 East Cove Lane . Oil on panel.

Cody Bluett, Where Are the Sleeping Fish . Oil and spray paint on canvas, wood carving on frame.

Yingxue Daisy Li, Tunnel. Oil and charcoal on canvas.

Ellen Weitkamp (CFA’24) and Cody Bluett (CFA’24) suffuse their paintings with a more surreal and symbolic language, more poetry than prose. Weitkamp’s works suggest the haziness of recalled memories, depicting domestic scenes through the glass of a storefront or the gauze of a curtain. Bluett is also concerned with memory; drawing from his background in working-class Pennsylvania, his scenes are nostalgic for the bucolic landscapes enjoyed by what he describes as “the proletariat during moments of respite, repetition, and reminiscence.”

Visual language dissolves into whispers and murmurs in paintings by Yinxue Daisy Li (CFA’24). Her abstract landscape works hover on the outer edges of representation, the result of a process of erasing and redrawing that transforms an idyllic outdoor scene into gesture, space, light, and shadow.

The MFA Painting Thesis Exhibition is at the Faye G., Jo, and James Stone Gallery, 855 Commonwealth Ave., through Saturday, April 20. Hours: Tuesday to Saturday, 11 am to 5 pm.

Graphic Design

The theme for this year’s graphic design thesis show, Side B , refers to the flip side of a record, and “a willingness to defy expectations, explore uncommon tools, and present a multifaceted expression of craft,” write thesis advisors Christopher Sleboda , a CFA associate professor of graphic design, and Kristen Coogan , a CFA associate professor of graphic design and chair of the MFA graphic design program, in the catalog for the show. 

For her thesis project, Between Waves , Bella Tuo (CFA’24) literally crowdsourced a new font. Over the course of a day, she encouraged strangers to contribute a hand-drawn line, curve, or serif until each letter of the alphabet was complete .

Bella Tuo, Between Waves project feat. Rainbow Hui. Digital media.

Arjun Lakshmanan, The Grand Tour-50 Iterations. Digital media.

Arjun Lakshmanan (CFA’24) was inspired by a NASA mock travel poster that imagined interplanetary tourism. With the same retro futuristic style, he produced a series of 50 similar postcards that emphasized three-dimensionality and warped perception. 

Lindsay Towle (CFA’24), whose design sensibility is informed by the graphic imprint of basketball and other facets of urban street culture, devised new aesthetic associations that make room for visual subcultures within the dominant narrative. A poster of her thesis concept, Backcourt , mixes graffiti lettering, a hallmark of elements of street culture, with classic typography and handwritten elements.

Lindsay Towle, The Backcourt . Digital media.

Carolina Izsák, Masking Tape Proportionality . Belgian linen.

Dhwani Garg, Firki typeface. Digital media.

“The relationships between structure and emotion, constraints and freedom, and a set of parts and pieces to create a whole have always been part of my practice as a designer,” Carolina Izsák (CFA’24) writes. Bursting with color and built to foster interaction and joy, Izsák’s thesis project—which includes prints she has laid onto fabric and wooden blocks—emphasizes playfulness and versatility.

Firki , a typeface created by Dhwani Garg (CFA’24), considers the scalability of typography in a new way. The font uses negative space to construct each figure, an inversion of the simple and expected formula used since the dawn of typesetting. 

The MFA Graphic Design Thesis Exhibition is at the 808 Gallery, 808 Commonwealth Ave., through Saturday, April 20. Hours: Tuesday to Saturday, 11 am to 5 pm.

Visual Narrative

The first graduating class of the MFA visual narrative program has created a collection of work that runs the storytelling gamut, crafting work that’s “humorous, poignant, and thought-provoking,” writes Joel Christian Gill , a CFA associate professor of art and chair of the visual narrative program. 

Sadie Saunders (CFA’24) and Ella Scheuerell (CFA’24) both opted to create graphic memoirs, and although their methodologies differ (Saunders uses digital drawing while Scheuerell relies on collage and mixed media), their stories are grounded in their experiences as young artists coming of age in the pandemic era. Scheuerell introduces readers to her uncle, whose art she discovered among his effects after his death by suicide. As she comes to terms with his loss, the drawings and his invisible presence keep her company. Saunders’ work reads more like a memoir-slash-sitcom, a self-deprecating tour of her barista job and the cast of characters who challenge her to find her voice. 

Sadie Saunders, pages from Spilled Milk and Other Reasons to Cry at Work . Digital drawing.

Ella Scheurell, Heavy Shoes , Colored pencil, watercolor sharpie on paper.

Avanji Vaze, page from Vrindavan House . Digital drawing.

Works by Avanji Vaze (CFA’24), Sandeep Badal (CFA’24), and Ariel Cheng Kohane (COM’22, CFA’24) have created stories that revel in invented universes and complex plotlines. Vaze’s graphic novel combines a Utopian fairytale (where Earth is run by a species of benevolent mushrooms) and MTV’s The Real World , centering a lovable-but-dysfunctional crew of artist roommates as her main cast. Badal’s thesis work is a comic within a comic; his protagonist, a graphic novelist, shares the stage with his own invented character, a trans-femme superhero who begins to feel like the world is treating her like a villain. And Cheng Kohane’s world is a reimagination of classic Western flicks, but populated by a cast of Asian and Jewish characters to match her own blended heritage.

Ariel Kohane, page from Hai Noon . Digital drawing.

Sandeep Badal, two-page spread from Phantom in a Jar . Digital drawing.

Lafleche Giasson, two-page spread from New Leaves on the Tree: How Intergenerational Trauma Affects Inheritable Gene Expression . Digital drawing.

For her thesis, Lafleche Giasson (CFA’24) chose an unconventional narrative, opting to blend her research on complex post-traumatic stress disorder with digital illustrations to create a comprehensive visual guide to the diagnosis.

The MFA Visual Narrative Thesis Exhibition is at the Commonwealth Gallery, 855 Commonwealth Ave., through Saturday, April 20. Hours: Tuesday to Saturday, 11 am to 5 pm. Students will present their thesis work on Wednesday, April 10, and Friday, April 12, from 3 to 5 pm at the Howard Thurman Center, 808 Commonwealth Ave.

Print Media & Photography

This year’s graduates of the print media and photography MFA program have created work that “disrupt[s] the viewer’s sense of the familiar and, in turn, prompt[s] more questions than answers,” write thesis advisors Lynne Allen , a CFA professor of art, printmaking, Toni Pepe , a CFA assistant professor of art and chair of photography, and Deborah Cornell , a CFA professor of art and chair of printmaking, in the show’s catalog. The four graduates whose work is in the thesis show have subverted the expected with their thesis work, in the process highlighting a core principle of printmaking: that it’s a medium of endless possibilities.

The photographs of Sofia Barroso (CFA’24) have been processed to the point of distortion, incorporating fabric, paper, thread, paint, and processes like cyanotype and silkscreen printing.

Sofia Barroso, Exploration of Possibilities . Cyanotype on fabric.

Julianne Dao, Walking Shadows . Collagraph, Chiné-colle archival inkjet print.

Julianne Dao (CFA’24) creates prints that play with negative space; each of her prints began with an object from nature, which she then processed through woodcut, embossing, and other techniques to create a bold design full of light and shadow.

Emily Taylor Rice (CFA’21,’24) and Delaney Burns (CFA’24) injected messages of social activism into their works: Rice creates prints that reflect the emotional turmoil of substance use disorders, using found textiles and colored pigments to reflect the chaos of alcohol dependence and utilizing embossing techniques to replicate emotional scars and ripped-and-torn sections to represent a process of deconstruction and rebirth. 

Emily Taylor Rice, Standing Smack in the Middle of the Truth About Myself . Silkscreen on found fabric.

Delaney Burns, One In Four. Screenprint on tea bags with peacock flower seeds and birth control pamphlets.

Burns incorporates items from all aspects of her life—plants from her mother’s garden; diary entries, notes, and cards written by women in her family; birth control pamphlets; and used teabags—to draw attention to what she says are the unseen, misunderstood, and taken-for-granted experiences of women. Techniques such as bookbinding and wood carving mirror domestic tasks, imbuing her process with a metaphysical interaction with traditional gender roles.

The MFA Print Media & Photography Thesis Exhibition is at the 808 Gallery, 808 Comm Ave., through Saturday, April 20. Hours: Tuesday to Saturday, 11 am to 5 pm.

The pieces in the MFA sculpture exhibition may have little in common visually, writes David Snyder , a CFA assistant professor of sculpture and chair of graduate studies in sculpture, “but what they have built together is…a conversation, a culture, a language, a heart.”

The works by the five students included in this year’s show respond to one another, playing on unconventional uses of space.

Yolanda He Yang, section of Sand Floor and Two Holes to the Basement and Happenings on the Wall. Piano strings, sand, LED spotlight and motor, glass, projector, wood, plastic sheet, mylar, telephone wires, marble.

Helena Abdelnasser, I think it’s dying. Wood, hinges, screws, white paint, soil, grass seeds, plastic bag, water, unfired clay, baby monitor.

In one area, a section of a piece by Yolanda He Yang (MET’21, CFA’24) shares room with a pillar constructed by Helena Abdelnasser (CFA’24). Yang’s sprawling narrative installations include materials that evoke personal significance, and the artist has painstakingly cataloged the origins of each object. The result: an annotated roadmap of a memory. Looming nearby is one of Abdelnasser’s sculptures: an obelisk made of whitewashed picket fences planted in a patch of earth—an untouchable idealization. In one corner of the work, blurred by decay and dirt, is a reproduction of a dead bird—a gruesome reality.

Alyssa Grey (CFA’24) is fascinated by the relationship between art and its modes of display—walk past one of her entries and a motion-sensing camera will project you onto a small television mounted on a plywood pedestal. Mae-Chu Lin O’Connell (CFA’24) injects a self-deprecating, almost paranoiac sensibility in each of her works, making liberal use of claustrophobia, clutter, sensory discomfort, and haphazardness in her installations and videos. Boxmaker , a scattered assemblage of objects in the shadow of an assembled piece of box furniture, brims with frustration, while her videos create an eerie sound collage out of the banal act of eating.

Alyssa Grey, HomeVideos . Wood, roof sealant, plywood, TV, electrical cords, camouflage duct tape, DC motor, camera.

Mae-Chu Lin O’Connell , Boxmaker (How to build a 36-drawer Wunderkabinett in a week) . Plywood, brass knobs, casters, wood screws, wood glue, epoxy, screws, nails, wood putty, and various objects.

Liam Coughlin, r/decks . OSB, dimensional lumber, towels, salvaged floor boards, adhesives and fasteners, plastic bags, garbage bags, Gatorade bottle full of spit, PEZ dispenser, sawhorses, sawdust.

Meanwhile, Liam Coughlin’s work addresses the sociopolitical landscape of the suburbs. Coughlin (CFA’24) encases trash—plastic bags and bottles, Halloween pumpkins, fast food cups—in plywood prisons to replicate “growing up in a homogenized, hermetically sealed, village-like culture of a small New England town.” 

The MFA Sculpture Thesis Exhibition is at 1270 Commonwealth Ave., through Saturday, April 20. Hours: Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays, 11 am to 5 pm, and Mondays and Thursdays by appointment.

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Associate Editor, BU Today; Managing Editor Bostonia

Sophie Yarin is a BU Today associate editor and Bostonia managing editor. She graduated from Emerson College's journalism program and has experience in digital and print publications as a hybrid writer/editor. A lifelong fan of local art and music, she's constantly on the hunt for stories that shine light on Boston's unique creative communities. She lives in Jamaica Plain with her partner and their cats, Ringo and Xerxes, but she’s usually out getting iced coffee. Profile

Photojournalist

Cydney Scott has been a professional photographer since graduating from the Ohio University VisCom program in 1998. She spent 10 years shooting for newspapers, first in upstate New York, then Palm Beach County, Fla., before moving back to her home city of Boston and joining BU Photography. Profile

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BFA Illustration Thesis Show

Posted in: Announcements

The Department of Art & Design is proud to present the BFA Illustration Thesis Show, showcasing the talent and creativity of our graduating seniors. The exhibition of students’ work will be displayed in the Finley Gallery from April 24th through April 30th. The closing reception will be on April 30th from 1pm till 5pm.

Come experience the culmination of the artistic journeys of the Illustration students. Witness the array of illustration styles and themes, crafted by graduating seniors, showcasing their talents across various mediums including Visual Development, Comics, Children’s Books, Graphic Novels, Storyboards, Advertising Art, and more. Join us in celebrating the creativity and dedication of these emerging illustrators as they unveil their exceptional works to the world.

Students Participating from Illustration: Myah Bautista, Madison Condon, Kate Dawson, Omar Dourmani, Thalia Duverger, Dominique Egalite, Lorelai McAndrews, Jake McCutcheon, Molly Mitchel, Zachary Rios, Taylor Rossin, Louis Shen, Emily Smolock, Sara Smolock, Anais St Amant, Sonny Voyack, Geliza Paunan, Luke Dillon, Salena Indarjit, Raphael Santiago, Tarnchanok Chada, Skell Longfield, Katie Hodges, Alyssa Mercado, Camila De Los Santos, & Norberto Linao

BFA Illustration Thesis Show Exhibition

• Finley Gallery, Finley Hall
• Exhibition dates: April 24th – April 30th, 2024
• Closing Reception: April 30th, 1:00 – 5:00 pm
• Light refreshments will be served

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Art & Design Presents Senior Thesis 2024

Studio san giuseppe art gallery - april 12th – may 3rd , 2024.

Each spring, senior art & design students execute comprehensive degree projects. These intensive experiences are the culmination of studies in the students’ major areas of concentration. This final exhibition highlights their achievements and serves as a bridge to professional careers in the visual arts and design.

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Department of Art

The 13: no vacancy – senior show 2024, the vanderbilt university department of art proudly presents the 2024 margaret stonewall wooldridge hamblet thesis exhibitions.

The doors between the gallery spaces of Space 204 will slide open on Friday, April 12, to showcase the hard work of Vanderbilt University’s graduating studio art majors and their Margaret Stonewall Wooldridge Hamblet Senior Thesis exhibitions collectively showing under the title The 13: No Vancancy .

The 2024 Senior Shows will be on display to the public from Friday, April 12 until Friday, May 10, in Space 204, the contemporary exhibition space in the E. Bronson Ingram Studio Arts Center.

The exhibiting student artists are Darien A. Deal , Gem Miller , Angelica L. Parker , Laney Moyers , Dominique Greene , Mady Johnston , Chidinma Onukwuru , Kiko Gio , Jonanthan Ma , Sydney Featherstone , Hannah Walton , Carissa Li , and Michael Yu .

Featured Thesis Exhibitions

About the Hamblet Award

Established in 1984, the Margaret Stonewall Wooldridge Hamblet Award has changed the lives of many of the recipients as well as helped to build the studio art program at Vanderbilt. The gift allows a graduating senior, who is serious about pursuing art, to travel and have time to create. In 1984, this was a surprising gift to a department without an art major although many students did thoughtful and interesting work over the years. Receiving the Hamblet Award gave most of the students the confidence and the time to build a body of work, to pursue graduate degrees, or to develop their own art studios.

In 2005, with new facilities, additional faculty and support from the administration, Vanderbilt began to offer a Bachelor of Arts degree in studio art. The Margaret Stonewall Wooldridge Hamblet Award became an important element in the development of our art major. The competition and the accompanying art exhibition have created a capstone experience for our seniors serving as a natural extension of a senior thesis. The gift also enriches the senior major experience throughout the entire senior year, with guest artist visits as well as an art-viewing trip to a city with a vibrant art community for all the majors.

A year and a half after graduation, the winner of the Hamblet competition returns to campus to mount a solo exhibition of the work he or she has completed during the award year. Happily, in 2002, the department was able to add a merit award as well. The Department of Art is grateful to the Hamblet family for providing such a remarkable opportunity for our students.

The 2024 Hamblet Jurors

The annual Margaret Stonewall Wooldridge Hamblet Award Competition is juried by three artist/educators from outside the Vanderbilt University campus. Each year these jurors is given the difficult task of reviewing grant proposals, thesis exhibitions, and conducting interveiws with senior art major students who have selected to compete for the two awards.

The 2024 juors are Dahlia Elsayed, Joe Fedderson, and Justin Boyd.

Space 204 E. Bronson Ingram Studio Arts Center 1204 25th Avenue South Nashville, TN Gallery Hours: Mondays thru Fridays, 10am to 4pm

The main gallery space for the Department of Art, Space 204, is located on the second floor of the E. Bronson Ingram Studio Arts Center in Room 204.

Space 204 exhibits contemporary art from local and national artists as well as the annual Margaret Stonewall Wooldridge Hamblet Award thesis exhibitions from Vanderbilt senior major students.

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Office of Neuroscience Research

Thesis Defense: Murphey Kilgore (Electrical and Systems Engineering Program) – “Design and Analysis of Passive Correlator Radio-Frequency Identification Tagging”

“Design and Analysis of Passive Correlator Radio-Frequency Identification Tagging”

Thesis lab: Shantanu Chakrabartty (WashU Electrical & Systems Engineering)

Abstract:  Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) is a technology used in many industries to locate and track assets. Passive RFID tags are popular because they are inexpensive and flexible, but they have limited accuracy. My thesis aims to improve the accuracy of passive RFID tags by investigating two solutions: (a) Using orthogonal RFID configuration and exploiting phase information available to an RFID reader, in addition to the received signal strength indicator (RSSI) metric; and (b) Designing a novel voltage multiplier-based correlator circuit that can be integrated directly onto the tag.

To further reduce power consumption and silicon area, we propose an architecture that combines the energy-harvesting capability of RFID power circuits with the calculation of correlation. This results in a tag peripheral circuit that consumes minimal power and generates a unique output voltage based on the correlation of input signals. These correlator architectures enable bundling of multiple data types into a singular input, such as clock, signal, and power. The designs are fully passive, and the only power consumption occurs when the measured correlation exceeds a pre-specified threshold. We analyzed these correlator architectures from design proposals to physical testing with designed IC chips to provide an initial hardware characterization. 

For inquiries contact Aaron Beagle at [email protected] .