Matching Items (72)
Description
Adolescence, a period of life characterized by drastic physiological as well as psychological development, is undoubtedly daunting. With the rise of social media, this period has become increasingly difficult for teenagers to navigate as social media continues to transform the way they develop psychologically. By increasing their need for social validation, creating a sense of hyper-connectivity, and encouraging an unprecedented lack of empathy, social media negatively impacts self-esteem, a pillar of the social and emotional development endured by teens in these formative years. The result of this impact, low self-esteem is linked to a plethora of serious outcomes ranging from eating disorders and anxiety, to substance abuse and depression. These outcomes are the reasons why social media's effect on the self-esteem of teenagers is an issue worth addressing.
ContributorsBradshaw, Sydney Brenda (Author) / Sanft, Alfred (Thesis director) / Heywood, William (Committee member) / W. P. Carey School of Business (Contributor) / The Design School (Contributor) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor)
Created2017-05
Description
Fueled by fear in the post-9/11 United States, American intelligence agencies conduct dragnet data collection on global communication. Despite the intention of surveillance as preventative counter-terrorism action, the default search and seizure of global communication poses a threat to our constitutional rights and individual autonomy. This is the case especially for people who may be thought of as in opposition to our current political climate, such as immigrants, people of color, women, people practicing non-western religions, people living outside of the United States, activists, persons engaging in political dissent, and people with intersecting identities. Throughout the Fall and Spring semesters, I have done research, conducted visual experiments and designed exploratory projects in order to more thoroughly identify the issue and explore the ways in which visual communication design can aid in the conversation surrounding global surveillance. It was the intention of my fourth year social issue projects to explore the role of visual communication design in the dialogue surrounding surveillance, principally focusing on the responsibility visual communication design has in spreading ideas about how to globally subvert surveillance until governments disclose information about their unconstitutional actions or until whistleblowers do it for them. My final project, the fourth year social issue exhibit, focuses on how improving our personal password habits can help us gain agency in digital spaces. Using the randomness of rolling a dice to generate entropy can help us generate stronger passwords in order to secure sensitive information online. Using design as a method of communication, my fourth year social issue exhibit shared information about how encrypted passwords can act as the first line of defense in protecting ourselves from invasive data collection and malicious internet activity.
ContributorsBailey, Lauren Nicole (Author) / Sanft, Alfred (Thesis director) / Heywood, William (Committee member) / The Design School (Contributor) / School of Social Transformation (Contributor) / School of Art (Contributor) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor)
Created2017-05
Description
Humans are undeniably a part of nature. Without Earth's and her resources, we cease to exist. However, in recent years society has lacked the foresight or possibly care to understand the impact of our actions both on the planet and ourselves. Resources that industrialized societies are based on are dwindling in reserves and the impact of our actions in getting such resources has been largely harmful. In order to change cycles of overexertion both in our selves and the planet, we must change the ways we think. I propose that humans, very much like the Earth, have limited resources and need to be more mindful in our choices. Wellness and sustainability are two branches of sustaining a larger system and our collective future. On an individual scale, wellness is sustaining our individual resources (i.e. time, energy, thoughts), and can be aided through simple practices to encourage healthy patterns and processes. Sustainability in terms of the planet is sustaining our common resources. This requires a change in our individual selves as well as cooperation to change the larger systems that we are parts of. I separated wellness into three components, core values, positivity, and time management. Sustainability is separated into lifestyle, systems thinking, and learning from life. For each of the six components, I briefly describe their importance and benefits.
ContributorsShamas, Ariel Judith (Author) / Sanft, Al (Thesis director) / Heywood, William (Committee member) / The Design School (Contributor) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor)
Created2017-05
Description
The overall purpose of this study is to address how graphic design can begin to solve the particular social issue of the effect of screen time on child development. In order to reach that particular conclusion, the research begins with an exploration of theories of child development themselves, both physical and cognitive. After establishing their relevance and importance, the issue of the predominance of screens in this current culture is discussed. When it comes to the main point, that screen time affects how children develop, there are two polarized sides to the argument: pro-screens and anti-screens. After reviewing the valid points from each position, the discussion moves to the solution: graphic design. The specific solutions of the pixelPLAY campaign website, the Start Them Young promotional video, and the exhibit, Playing With Pixels: How Screens Can Affect Your Infant's Development, are described in detail as to how they can effectively communicate this social issue and spread awareness. Overall, the argument stands that screens are not going anywhere. It benefits this current generation of new parents to properly educate their child on the correct way to use this omnipresent digital medium in order for them to grow up as healthy, independent, socially responsible and capable individuals. The best chance for success emerges if the parents themselves become aware of the right and wrong ways to use screens, lead by example, and halt unhealthy habits before they even begin. Graphic design can be the match to the flame and set fire to getting this extremely relevant and important issue into the public eye.
ContributorsDella Corna, Gabriela Margarita (Author) / Sanft, Alfred (Thesis director) / Heywood, William (Committee member) / W. P. Carey School of Business (Contributor) / The Design School (Contributor) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor)
Created2017-05
Description
In a world where tweets, texts, posts, likes and favorites are a part of our daily lives, it's hard not to believe everything we see. Every little detail of one's personal life is easily shared with the world with the click of a button. And because of this, the beauty standards that society has created is jumping from the pages of magazines and TV shows to apps such as Instagram and Facebook. The majority of social media users are young teens and adults, but the popularity of these apps is rising among kids as young as five years old as well. These are some of the most impressionable years of one's life. So, by seeing these standards that qualify someone as "beautiful," individuals are likely to strive toward these standards. And while some may seem impossible to attain, individuals are willing to go to extreme lengths to get there. Qualities like the "thigh gap" are slowly becoming more popular, and are putting individuals at risk. In a country where the ideal woman is skinny, and most of the celebrities and models showcase these nearly impossible standards, it's hard not to fall into the trap. With the addition of editing software and filters to already existing social media applications, the ability to edit and enhance photos is in the hands of the user. Photos can be edited so dramatically different from the original that what we're seeing doesn't even exist. This project explores the false reality that social media is creating and the negative effects it has on young girls and women. It also offers a solution to the problem.
ContributorsHenry, Lauren Nicole (Author) / Sanft, Alfred (Thesis director) / Heywood, William (Committee member) / School of International Letters and Cultures (Contributor) / The Design School (Contributor) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor)
Created2016-05
Description
"Many Faces" is the result of a year-long exploration of online harassment. It includes multiple graphic design projects which reference the phenomenon of online harassment and attempt to solve it (or at least contribute to a solution), all in different ways.
According to a survey performed by Pew Research in 2014, 40% of Internet users have experienced online harassment. 18% had experienced severe harassment – stalking, sexual harassment, physical threats – while 22% had only experienced less severe harassment, such as name-calling. Women ages 18–24 receive a disproportionately large percentage of all severe online harassment. The emotional trauma suffered from severe or long-term harassment can lead to (and has led to) fear, depression, and suicide in the worst cases.
The anonymity of the Internet partially enables online harassment, since it allows perpetrators to hide behind usernames or false images while they harass others — there is little accountability. However, 66% of online harassment happens on social media platforms, where people's names and images are usually readily available. This indicates that anonymity is not the only factor, and not even the main factor. Rather, the separation of the Internet from the physical world, that which makes it less "real," is what enables harassers to treat it as entirely different experience. They can say across a keyboard what they might never say face-to-face.
To increase my understanding of the problem, I made two three-dimensional pieces – a functioning clock and an exhibit wall. Each project explored different aspects of online harassment and implored the audience to keep compassion and kindness in mind while interacting with others digitally.
Another goal was to create a campaign which could tackle the problem on a larger, more definite scale. To learn from others' attempts, I studied two recent, real-world campaigns against online harassment, Zero Trollerance and HeartMob. Each of these received significant amounts of good press on online news outlets, but people who enjoyed or were helped by those campaigns were grossly outnumbered by those who criticized and even lambasted those campaigns, for various reasons.
I determined that the reactive nature of those campaigns was the main cause of their failure, so I created a proactive campaign with the goal of preventing online harassment, rather than correcting it. I designed the beginnings of "You & I," a multiplayer online game for children ages 4–6, which would encourage positive interaction between players through its very game mechanics. Ideally, the habits formed by the children while playing this game would carry over to their future Internet experiences, and a new generation of kinder, more cooperative, "native" Internet users would arise, reducing the amount of harassment seen on the Internet.
According to a survey performed by Pew Research in 2014, 40% of Internet users have experienced online harassment. 18% had experienced severe harassment – stalking, sexual harassment, physical threats – while 22% had only experienced less severe harassment, such as name-calling. Women ages 18–24 receive a disproportionately large percentage of all severe online harassment. The emotional trauma suffered from severe or long-term harassment can lead to (and has led to) fear, depression, and suicide in the worst cases.
The anonymity of the Internet partially enables online harassment, since it allows perpetrators to hide behind usernames or false images while they harass others — there is little accountability. However, 66% of online harassment happens on social media platforms, where people's names and images are usually readily available. This indicates that anonymity is not the only factor, and not even the main factor. Rather, the separation of the Internet from the physical world, that which makes it less "real," is what enables harassers to treat it as entirely different experience. They can say across a keyboard what they might never say face-to-face.
To increase my understanding of the problem, I made two three-dimensional pieces – a functioning clock and an exhibit wall. Each project explored different aspects of online harassment and implored the audience to keep compassion and kindness in mind while interacting with others digitally.
Another goal was to create a campaign which could tackle the problem on a larger, more definite scale. To learn from others' attempts, I studied two recent, real-world campaigns against online harassment, Zero Trollerance and HeartMob. Each of these received significant amounts of good press on online news outlets, but people who enjoyed or were helped by those campaigns were grossly outnumbered by those who criticized and even lambasted those campaigns, for various reasons.
I determined that the reactive nature of those campaigns was the main cause of their failure, so I created a proactive campaign with the goal of preventing online harassment, rather than correcting it. I designed the beginnings of "You & I," a multiplayer online game for children ages 4–6, which would encourage positive interaction between players through its very game mechanics. Ideally, the habits formed by the children while playing this game would carry over to their future Internet experiences, and a new generation of kinder, more cooperative, "native" Internet users would arise, reducing the amount of harassment seen on the Internet.
ContributorsWilliams, Peter Ross (Author) / Sanft, Alfred (Thesis director) / Heywood, William (Committee member) / The Design School (Contributor) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor)
Created2016-05
Description
ABSTRACT
Background: As more adult intensive care units embrace open visitation policies and family-centered care, it becomes increasingly important to understand how the physical environment can best support family members while they navigate the critical illness or injury of a loved one. However, recommendations for the design of family-supportive spaces are typically anecdotal, and there is a paucity of empirical research regarding which design features best support their spatial needs. Purpose: The aim of this study was to develop instruments by which to evaluate the ability of affordances within the physical environment to support the spatial needs of family members of critically-ill patients (i.e., environmental congruence). Methods: An exploratory sequential design approach was used to explore the phenomenon and developed instruments by which to measure congruency. A thorough understanding was sought of the needs and experiences of family members within adult intensive care units, and a scoping review was conducted to reveal recommended environmental affordances for these settings. Results: From an a priori list of affordances, three instruments were developed. The Environmental Affordance Index was developed to evaluate the physical attributes within a given setting, and it formed the basis for two surveys to evaluate the spatial needs of family members. The Spatial Needs Inventory asks family members to rank the importance of recommended affordances for spaces within adult intensive care unit. The Spatial Needs Met survey provides an opportunity for family members to indicate if a given setting met their spatial needs. Conclusion: Future findings from the Environmental Affordance Index and survey instruments can potentially foster family-centered care, improve the design of adult intensive care units, influence visitation policies, and enhance family member well-being.
ContributorsGill, Rebecca Ann (Author) / Bender, Diane (Thesis advisor) / Gaughan, Monica (Committee member) / Brooks, Kenneth (Committee member) / Arizona State University (Publisher)
Created2023
Description
ABSTRACT The catalyst for this research was rooted in a patient satisfaction survey reported the need for an ambient quiet setting. This study used a descriptive comparative design augmented with qualitative data. The sample consisted of 54 participants came from one of three primary care clinics listened to 22 minutes of existing natural clinical sounds while the others listened to therapeutic sound hertz in a treatment room. The survey data correlated identify if an association existed or not to add therapeutic soundscape hertz back into a clinical ambient setting could affect the patient experience and wellness. Rather than, continue with abatement program efforts to remove unwanted sounds or mask the noise. Quantitative data were collected on mood states and biometric measures consisted of respiratory, heart, pulse systolic, and diastolic blood pressure rates. Qualitative data 5-Point Likert scale and open-ended questions determined participants' awareness of ambient sounds within the clinical setting. Data from participants were analyzed and compared separately for each clinic. The metrics were found to be statistically correlated (p<0.05) for the POMS-A survey and biometric measures using a Chi-square test. After the intervention, two clinics reported a 60%, and the third clinic an 80% mood state changes. Clinic 2-M reported the greatest significant mood state change. The t-Test validation biometric measures showed no significant evidence among the test and control groups for Clinic 1-L (396, 417, 444 Hz). Clinics 2-M (528, 639 Hz) and Clinic 3-H (714, 852 Hz) did share significant evidence to respiratory, heart, and systolic blood pressure rates. The respondents revealed 27% had a positive opinion of the therapeutic sound hertz perceived as silent or quiet, 59% had a negative opinion of unwanted sounds included communication as disruptive, and 16% felt the clinic’s physical design was poor. As a whole, this study indicates exposing patients to therapeutic sound hertz had a positive impact on their biopsychosocial wellness states. The value and novelty of this study show by adding selective distinct therapeutic sound hertz levels back into the clinic setting have profound implications for future researchers to build upon how the quality soundscape performance effects on the patient.
Contributorstate, angela diane (Author) / Bender, Diane (Thesis advisor) / Takamura, John (Committee member) / Lamb, Gerri (Committee member) / Arizona State University (Publisher)
Created2022
Description
Invasive species are non-native plants or animals that harm the environment, economy, and even human health. These species are introduced to new environments where they have no natural predators or competitors to keep them in check. As a result, they grow and reproduce quickly, outcompeting and displacing native species. Invasive species can also damage crops, infrastructure, and property, leading to significant economic losses. Moreover, some invasive species can carry diseases that can affect human health. As the leading cause of biodiversity loss according to the IUCN Red List, controlling and preventing the spread of invasive species is critical to protecting biodiversity and maintaining a healthy environment.
ContributorsTullo, Elizabeth (Author) / Sanft, Alfred (Thesis director) / Heywood, William (Committee member) / Fehler, Michelle (Committee member) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor) / The Design School (Contributor) / School of Life Sciences (Contributor)
Created2023-05
Description
Presently, Information Design is on an upward trajectory, as it is being implemented on various platforms, from professional presentations to social media posts. The need for strong, understandable visual content has driven individuals with varying backgrounds to adopt the methods from the field. However, whether novice or trained professional designers, a vast number appear to pillage the random works they come across and apply the visuals without considering the historic lessons that arewithin each visualization. When designers discuss the history of Information Design, many cannot agree on much. Of the books that are in circulation, a majority highlight specific people, places, designs, and/or time periods. A few identify common themes but fall short ofemphasizing threads that connect people and methods. In actuality, the history of Information Design is severely limited. Designers fail to notice the benefits of understanding the complexity of problems encountered by practitioners in the 18th and
19th centuries. Many in the field deny themselves the opportunity to recognize the inventiveness, successes, and failures of the predecessors. Lost are the lessons, skills, and insight taught by the progenitors. This research aims to highlight connections from the past to rediscover their value in the present, while also calling attention to contributors who were previously overlooked or undervalued. Through the exploration of methods and themes, as well asa look at responses collected from modern designers, a reconstruction of historic developments will allow the discipline to untangle its complex past in order to set goals for the future.
ContributorsPeña, Lisa (Author) / Patel, Mookesh (Thesis advisor) / Heywood, William (Thesis advisor) / Serwint, Nancy (Committee member) / Arizona State University (Publisher)
Created2022