Below is a listing of recent graduate thesis documents produced by students in the Department of Design. (DAIM) indicates students from the Digital Animation and Interactive Media degree track. (DRD) indicates students from the Design Research and Development degree track. Project-based theses and the most recent thesis documents may not appear in the state library database. Links to newer documents will be provided as they become available.
- Bowman, Amber. Co-designing a Future Home Learning Environment for a Post-Pandemic World (DRD)
- Downie, Andrea (Simone). Once Upon a Game: Improving Motivational Factors Contributing to Aliteracy Through Arts- and Narrative-Driven, Interactive Gameplay (DAIM)
- Gao, Jiaxing. Prevent Childhood Trauma: Using a Psychological Horror Game to Arouse Empathy (DAIM)
- Huard, Marie-Josée. Distance Education for Design Education: Exploring Opportunities and Challenges Through Speculative Design Method (DRD)
- Lehman, Kayla. Self in Progress: Designing an Animated Mental Health Narrative Inspired by the Principles and Aesthetics of Surrealism (DAIM)
- Olson, Kenneth. The design process for a small group Immersive, interactive experiences: bringing storytelling to life through themed entertainment design (DAIM)
- Souza Correa, Luiza. Redesigning Processes to induce Social Change: The African American Women’s College Application Experience (DRD)
- Caudill, Sara. Greater Heights: An Intern’s Field Guide to Design Storytelling at NASA (DAIM)
- Chen Yang, Muhammad Exploring the User Experience of Virtual Reality and its Integration into Design and Academia (DRD)
- Duffield, Jason The future of social work: Using co-design to explore a hybrid model for in-person vs. online social work practice (DRD)
- Himes, Lucas An Exploration of Interface Designs for the Dissemination of News and Information During Covid-19 (DRD)
- Jenkins, Maya Implementing Service Design Methodology Towards the Student Journey for Mental Health Challenges (DRD)
- Merkel, Latesha Embrace: Exploring Asexuality Through Autoethnographic Animation (DAIM)
- Ayers, Abigail The Collaborative Nature of Designing Narrative VR Applications (DAIM)
- Behnam Asl, Sana Designing for Breast Cancer Survivors’ Empowerment: Integration of Technology for Self-management Promotion through Participatory Design (DRD)
- Booher, Susan Investigation of biophilic interventions to improve mood and behavior of persons with dementia (DRD)
- Campbell, Victoria Designing for Expressive Character Performance in Virtual Reality (DAIM)
- Chambers, Joseph Visualizing Ancient Culture Through the Design of Intermodal Extended Reality Experiences (DAIM)
- Coleman, Leah From You to Me: A Conversation with Animation. (DAIM)
- Lalonde, Simon Advocating for a More Democratic Process: A critical analysis of co-design plenary sessions within a public project development (DRD)
- Murteza, Noor Designer Fractal Patterns: Ecological validity and the psychological wellbeing effect of fractal patterns in interior spaces. (DRD)
- Nickley, William Making for One Another: An exploration of design-based making in Positive Youth Development program delivery. (DRD)
- Olsen, Taylor Animation as an Instrument: Designing a Visual-Audioizer Prototype (DAIM)
- Sabatelli, Madison Navigating the Design Process Through Writing: An Ethnographic Study of Academic Design Studios (DRD)
- Wang, Yiting Co-designing with Older Adults for Voice Assistive Technology (DRD)
- Yu, Shasha Facilitating a Creative Growth Mindset: A Creative Process that Integrates Gameplay with Maketools (DRD)
- Atallah, Joelle Perceptions of Public Transportation with a focus on Older Adults (DRD)
- Baker, Jeremy Charles Observational Animation: An Exploration of Improvisation, Interactivity and Spontaneity in Animated Filmmaking (DAIM)
- Beach, Lindsay Brooke The Interaction of Color in the Context of Electronic Media: Providing a New Platform for Exploratory Learning in the Additive Color Space (DRD)
- Bell, Emily Louise An Exploratory Lighting Study on the Effects of Correlated Color Temperature in Senior Living (DRD)
- Benzenberg, Elizabeth Marie Acox Exploring Design Process Evolution in Architecture and Interior Design Firms (DRD)
- Biesboer, Allison Marie The process of designing animation and motion graphics as a visual response to surveyed opinions on hyperreality, reality, and film (DAIM)
- Braun, Erika L. Framing Wicked Problems Using CoDesign and a Hybrid Design Toolset (DRD)
- Bruggeman, Kevin Using Biofeedback-Based Virtual Reality Applications to Enhance Coherence of Mindfulness Practice (DAIM)
- Bryant, Molly E. Physical Environments Conducive To Creativity and Collaboration Within the Work Environment (DRD)
- Buehrer, Joseph Exploring narrative and science fiction through digital environments (DAIM)
- Burns, Mikaila Marie Mapping the Gap: Using Growth Opportunity Items and Principles as well as Design Thinking to Eliminate the Creative Achievement Gap (DRD)
- Butters, Breanne Isle of Sign: Animation as Documentary (DAIM)
- Cecil, Amber Mental Process Narrative Film: Design Techniques for Visualizing Character Psyche in Animated Shorts (DAIM)
- Chen, Renee Chia-Lei Autoethnographic Research through Storytelling in Animation and Video Games (DAIM)
- Chew, Selene Se Lui Designers as Entrepreneurs: An Investigation on Why Startups Need Design and Design Need Startups (DRD)
- Chow, George Sustainable Sanitation System for Rural Communities in India and Beyond. (DRD)
- Cleaver, Dreama D Breaking the Fourth Wall: A Study of Gender Fluidity Using Immersive Storytelling as a Medium for Evoking Empathy (DAIM)
- Cochran, Allen J A Participatory Action Research Case Study: Designing for a Transformative Service Experience with a University Graduate Student Governance Organization (DRD)
- Conroy, Stephen J. CAPTURING CHILDHOOD: EXPLORING IMAGINATIVE PLAY IN ANIMATION (DRD)
- Dadgar, Majid Pattern Language: Identification of design opportunities for the child with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) to develop his/her social skills (DRD)
- De Laney, Velvette L Designing for Sustainability: A Path Forward to Improve Graphic Design Practices (DRD)
- Del Rio Kuroiwa, Susana. Bridging Tradition and Technology: Virtual Recreation and Animation of the Peruvian Retablo. (DAIM)
- Denison, E. Scott When Designers Ask, "What If?" (DRD)
- DeVore, Kelly C. O'Gorman Design Activism and Design Education: Seeds for Responsive Design Education (DRD)
- Doustmohammadi, Saeide Product Customization Through Digital Fabrication Technology (DRD)
- Dreser, Melanie Design, Fun and Sustainability: Utilizing Design Research Methods to Develop an Application to Inform and Motivate Students to Make Sustainable Consumer Choices (DRD)
- Drozd, Jane Claire Narrative Animation and Family Memory. A Documentation of the Process for Creating the Animated Film: Garden of Memories (DAIM)
- Duncan, Erin Design and Critical Thinking: A Process Model to Support Critical, Creative and Empathic Learning in Studio-based Design Education (DRD)
- Dunten, Stacey Remembrance: An Object Driven Narrative (DAIM)
- English, Ryan Timothy Designing an Anatomic Based Eyelid Rig for the Facilitation of Expressive Anthropomorphized Character Animation (DAIM)
- Evans, Bruce The Message in the Mechanics: Designing Game Mechanics that Reflect a Character’s Mental State (DAIM)
- Fromme, Adam Co-designing with Older Adults to Create an Age-friendly Evaluation Tool for Public Places (DRD)
- Fry, Joshua R. The Approach: Exploring Sublime Experience Through Animation (DAIM)
- Ganci, Aaron Michael Redefining the Textbook: A user-centered approach to the creation, management and delivery of digital course content in higher education (DRD)
- Grishchenko, Alice Navigating the Pixelated Waters of Voxel Bay: Designing a Virtual Reality Game for the Pediatric Patient-Player Experience (DAIM)
- Hale, Ryan Nathan INTIMATE CINEMA: AVANT-GARDE FILM INFLUENCING A BIOGRAPHICAL STORY OF DISCOVERY IN COMPUTER ANIMATION (DAIM)
- Heban, Thomas Edward Representations of Scale and Time: Reinterpreting Cinematic Conventions in Digital Animation to Create a Purposeful Visual Language (DAIM)
- Hernández, Abel Fast and Slow Fashion as Seen Through the Millennial Mindset (DRD)
- Hoang, Kien Tran Space Tells, Space Expands, Space Acts: An Exploration of Computer Animation through Spatial Concepts (DAIM)
- Hu, Lingyue Design Research Planning and Execution: A comparison between undergraduate design students’ and design research practitioners’ processes of design research planning and execution (DRD)
- Jones, Taurean A. Mobile Wayfinding: An Exploration of the Design Requirements for a Route Planning Mobile Application (DRD)
- Jordan, Laura L Exploring How Design and Digital Interactive Technology Assists in Health Information Communication in the Context of Missed Oral Contraceptive Pills (DRD)
- Karaca, Ece Interactive Data Visualization: Applications Used to Illuminate the Environmental Effects of the Syrian War (DRD)
- Keller, Katharine Meaning Making and the Design Student: Fostering Self-Authorship in a Studio Based Design Course (DRD)
- Larrimer, Sheri Where Storytelling and Interactivity Meet: Designing Game Mechanics that Tell a Story (DAIM)
- Lawler, Sarah The Creation Process of Storybook Cinema: A Digital Performance (DAIM)
- Lemon, Nicole E. Previsualization in Computer Animated Filmmaking (DAIM)
- Lin, Meihui The Design of a Storage Product to Help People Live Happier and more Comfortably in Small Spaces based on Design Research and Environmental Psychology (DRD)
- Lipman, Julianne Designing for Senior Wellness: An Accuracy Technology System for Home Exercise Programs in Physical Therapy (DRD)
- Lothrop, Thornton Design Drawing - An Integrated Visualization System (DRD)
- Maicher, Kellen R Exploring the Relationships between Affective Character Design and Interactive Systems (DAIM)
- Mattos, Alessandra Cerqueira Scent as a Medium for Design: An Experimental Design Inquiry (DRD)
- Maynard, Zachary C. Designing Compressed Narrative using a Reactive Frame: The Influence of Spatial Relationships and Camera Composition on the Temporal Structure of Story Events (DAIM)
- McKenzie, David L Prototyping with Co-designers to Imagine Future Experiences (DRD)
- Meyer, Kendra Louise Creativity in Repurposing Textiles (DRD)
- Moreland, Jessica A Design for Sustainability Transitions: An Intervention Research Study for Zero Waste Residence Halls (DRD)
- Morrow, Joshua B Co-Designing with Veteran Students: Incorporating Co-Design Thinking to Understand Current and Future Experiences of Veterans in a University Environment (DRD)
- Muljono, Darwin The Relevance of Emergence in Human-centered Design (DRD)
- Pei, Wuyang. "Exploring Distributed Design Research." (DRD)
- Piersanti, Joshua R. Online Critiques: Developing a Digital Tool to Improve the Experiences of Design Instructors and Students Critiquing Student Work in Design Courses (DRD)
- Ramnath, Priya Planned and Emergent Design in USA and India: A Study of the Impact of Cultural Norms on Interior Space (DRD)
- Reed-DesJardins, Robin Social Design, Field Studies, Sustainable Development: How Design Research Methods have been Applied to Fieldwork Study and Enable Sustainable Community Development in Three Case Studies (DRD)
- Ribeiro, Bruno B. R. Reshaping Visual Communication Design Curriculum to Support Collaboration with Computer Science and Engineering (DRD)
- Ross, Karen C “Awake:” An Animated Exploration of Self-Discovery Through Mindfulness (DRD)
- Sanders, Emma Caitlin Expanding the Use Phase of Products (DRD)
- Shah, Trisha Designing a New Path to Improve Inclusivity in Healthcare for the LGBTQ+ Community (DRD)
- Simon, Miriam R. Design and Engineering of Wind-Powered Machinery for Developing Countries (DRD)
- Singh, Sapna Future And Value Of Graduate Design Education Master of Design 2031 (DRD)
- Sondac, Mert ANOTHER INCONVENIENT TRUTH: AN INQUIRY ON SUSTAINABILITY, TRANSPORTATION AND DESIGN (DRD)
- Spicer, Malory E. Digital Animation as a Method of Inquiry (DAIM)
- Strouse, Emily Elizabeth Collective Creativity through Enacting: A Comparison of Generative Design Research Methods (DRD)
- Strouse, Robert V. Design Research in Design Education: Relevance and Implementation (DRD)
- Taylor, William D A Comparative Analysis of Problem Solving Approaches Between Designers and Engineers (DRD)
- Tiberio, Jason The Dynamic and Adaptive Learning Platform: Exploring the Self-Initiated Learning Experience. (DRD)
- Tippery, Gabriel J. Learning to Be in the Digital Era: A Holistic Learning Framework for Design Education (DRD)
- Turner, Craig Purpose-Aligned Brand: Process Tools at the Intersection of Business, Brand, & Design (DRD)
- Twohig, Mary. The Process of Visualizing Memory in the CG Animated Film: The Games I Made Up. (DAIM)
- Udakandage, Lakshika Creating Characters from Natural Phenomenon using their Inherent Properties (DAIM)
- Unrath, Katie C Collaborative Creativity in the Physical Work Environment: A Pre-Test, Intervention, Post-Test Case Study (DRD)
- Venkataraman, Hemalatha Narrative Probes in Design Research for Social Innovation (DRD)
- Walker, Jacinda N. Design Journeys: Strategies For Increasing Diversity In Design Disciplines (DRD)
- Wallace, Kyle S An Exploratory Study of Learning Journeys for Makers in the Fields of Art, Craft and Design: An Investigation of the Blurred Boundaries between Art, Craft, and Design (DRD)
- Wanjema, Richard Wachira INTERACTIVE MEDIA and CULTURAL HERITAGE: Interpreting Oral Culture in a Digital Environment (DRD)
- Welch, Jonathan D Designing in Emerging Media through Linguistic Forms (DRD)
- Wiggins, Emily C. CREATING VISUAL EFFECT: A DESIGN INSTRUCTION TOOL FOR IDENTIFYING COMPOSITIONAL THEORY COMPONENTS FOR INTERIOR DESIGN (DRD)
- Winegardner, Zachary The Digital Tool in the Curious Maker’s Hand: Critical Exploration Processes to Engage Historical Paintings for New Inquiry and Dialogue (DAIM)
- Woolley, Elise M. Fun: An Exploration in its Relevance to Interaction Design (DRD)
- Zhang, Cheng The Moon Experience: Designing Participatory Immersive Environments for Experiential Learning (DAIM)
- Zhao, Shumeng The Boy Who Draws Cats: 3D Animation As a Medium For Telling Culturally-specific Ghost Stories (DAIM)
- Abell, AnneMarie Keeping Students in the Green: Examining Social Media as a Tool to Improve Communication with University Students
- Albright, Laura Beth 2D Spatial Design Principles Applied to 3D Animation: A Proposed Toolset for Filmmakers
- Alenquer, Daniel Pittella Integrating visual stimuli into automotive head-up display to enhance driver performance
- Arnold, Geraldine Developing spatial visualization in engineering students combining graphic interface, games, and the internet
- Bain, Matthew N. Real Time Music Visualization: A Study in the Visual Extension of Music
- Belland, Charlotte Jane Optimizing interactive animation-can sound substitute for inbetween frames?
- Burns, Shana McKay Creating an educational tool utilizing design intensities for the set design process of 3D computer animation
- Chen, Hung-Hsiang Ignoring user-centered needs: addressing the factors that allow multi-function and multi-purpose product proliferation
- Chung, Hyejin Kitchen-related lifestyle design: an investigation of cultural and social issues of Korean kitchen design
- Craft, Brandan Why Branding Can Increase a Professional Athlete's Value: A Rationale for Designer Engagement
- Diol, Phillip Pritam Incorporating interactive design threads into four-year university undergraduate visual communication design curricula
- Espinosa-Morazán, María Fabiola How can visual communicators improve social marketing campaigns in Nicaragua's decentralization policy of the education system?
- Evensen, Erik A. Making it Fun: Uncovering a Design Research Model for Educational Board Game Design
- Gantzer, George Edward Discovering the Process of Creating an Animated Biography
- Gladden, Jonathan Applications, methods, tools, and virtual environments for mapping web site structures
- Graell-Colas, Mercè Exploring Visual Means For Communication And Collaboration In Multidisciplinary Teams, An Interpretation And Implementation For Design Education
- Harmon, Joseph Leslie The real time art production pipeline: an examination of modeling for surfacing as used by professionals from electronic arts tiburon
- Jiao, Long Identification of Issues and Opportunities of Design Entrepreneurship: Product Commercialization as a Design Business Trend
- Kalal, Katherine Frances Talmadge Combining Performance Animation and Virtual Reality for Early Childhood Education Role-Play
- Kelceoglu, Bekir Preventing carpal tunnel syndrome : a product design study to assist carpal tunnel syndrome prevention techniques
- Kelley, Keith The animator's eye: an approach for observing and interpreting the expressive quality of movement for beginning animators
- Khanna, Amar Exploring human response to odors as a design research tool: a qualitative investigation
- Koo, Heesung Web Interplay: A Children's Web Browser Interface Design
- Kuhlman, Lane M. Gesture Mapping for Interaction Design: An Investigative Process for Developing Interactive Gesture Libraries
- Lian, Erwin DESIGN INVASION FROM THE STREETS: A STUDY OF STREET ART’S APPLICATION IN DESIGN
- Lien, Yu Cheng International design project collaboration issues: comparing differences in organization and culture of American and Asia design firms
- Lioi, Iuri Framework for the Development of Schemata in Character Design for Computer Animation
- McClurg-Genevese, Joshua David Temporal models of interaction as support for analysis in user-centered design
- Miller, Louis James Combining Media Processes for Ideation in 3D Character Design for Computer Animation
- Murnieks, Andre Christopher Mediating an experience: an approach to designing a compelling synchronous, distant, virtual communication environment
- Nestor, Carl E. Designing for encoding specificity: research-based visual design criteria that enhance encoding in educational material
- Nguyen, Hai Minh Investigation of alternative approaches for ecologically responsible and culturally friendly composting toilet
- Novak, Beth Alison A user-centered approach for designing web sites in the realm of health care with an emphasis on web-based information for breast cancer patients
- Paepcke, Verena Natalie Tools for balancing design: analysis and evaluation methods for restricted workspaces
- Penrod, Joyce Ann Discovering the Role of Internships in Undergraduate Curricula through the Insights and Experiences of Interior Designers
- Pereira-de-Araujo, Joao Lucas Promoting residential energy conservation throught real-time consumption feedback
- Reynaldo, Tony Bauhaus color pedagogy; exploring influences and relevance in today's U.S. visual communication design programs
- Roesler, Axel A compositional based approach to 3-dimensional form generation in product design based on music
- Scudieri, Paul Anthony Information in Complex Product Systems
- Steele, Samantha L. Animation as an Effective Tool for Communication: A Digital Prototype for Midwest Alive
- Tashfeen, Asheer I. The Presentation of Spatial Design using Autonomous Characters in Virtual Environments
- Tuzar, Gert-Dieter An interaction design concept to reduce re-orienting costs while driving
- Wang, Chun-Yen Knowledge-Based Design: Networked and Visualized Knowledge for Improved Product Development
- Youté, Tony Digital age house: a mass-produced alternative domestic environment