This annual event allows second-year graduate students from the Division of Design to present their in-progress thesis work in poster format. Attendees are encouraged to give feedback to students in an informal, one-on-one/small group setting. Light refreshments will be served. Prospective students are welcome.

Presenters are:

Richelle Dumond, Police Militarization
This thesis will investigate the design significance and social implications that the use of the military model has on civilian policing–i.e. police militarization. It will explore how the representations of power, conflict, and fear can form a base for non-violent interventions in public space.

Sarah Reitz, The Evolving Memorial Narrative
This thesis will explore how new, interactive visuals might be integrated into existing memorials to divorce the exhibits from static interpretations, ultimately encouraging visitors to draw connections between historic events and reflect on their implications for the future.

Tate Strickland, Envisioning the Audio Interface
This thesis will investigate the “aesthetic” qualities of voice, variables with which designers — especially those trained in visual design — can manipulate audio-based interfaces beyond considerations of usability.

Scott Tsukamaki, Semantics of Control Systems
Today, products have multiple functions and on-screen interfaces which allow users to customize how they control and interact with products, whereas traditional physical objects have a fixed control topology. This thesis examines users’ understanding of semantics of control systems in order to create a design where the benefits of analog and virtual objects can be combined. While digital control systems can be buttons or inputs on a screen, connected devices and tangible user interfaces (TUI) have changed how users interact, think, and use products. I will study connected devices and tangible interactions in order to better understand how these technologies can be applied to the dental field.