Save the date! Jennifer Lim’s MFA thesis defense is June 25, 2024.
Jennifer joined the Department of Design in 2021 in the Design Research and Development track. Her areas of expertise include UI/UX design, human-centered design, and social design.
Committee Members:
Paul Nini
Yvette Shen
David Staley
Thesis Project Title:
The Minds of Conspiracy: Visualizing the mindset of conspiracy theorists and designing the ideal future
Project Description:
Conspiracy theories and disinformation are increasingly prevalent in today's digital media landscape, exacerbating societal divisions driven by extreme anti-science and political mindsets. Addressing this issue requires urgent and effective interventions. This project aims to provide a holistic and empathetic introduction to complex topics through information and web design principles. Using the flat earth theory as a case study, the research focuses on the mindsets and impacts on individuals and their families, rather than the theories themselves.
A website is designed and developed to educate the general public, particularly non-experts, using concise language and visualizations to simplify complex information. To foster a more positive outlook and empower individuals in navigating the information landscape, the project explores design fiction and backcasting methods to highlight the importance of close collaboration among stakeholders to create a comprehensive approach to the issue.
Keywords:
Web Design, Information Design, User Experience Design, Design Fiction, Conspiracy Theory, Flat Earth Theory
