The Kit (BFA Thesis)
Life is a learning process, and wisdom often comes from reflecting on our past experiences. The stories and advice we offer often reflect what we wish we knew in our youth but had yet to discover.
From Fall 2023 to Spring 2024, a collection of stories, advice, and wisdom was curated using SUNY New Paltz's graphic design community, including students, faculty, and alumni. To create an engaging repository for all the ideas, "The Kit" emerged as a physical box meant for the graphic design students at SUNY New Paltz.
By embodying the stories and advice of its contributors within all its components, The Kit serves as a conduit for graphic design students to gain a more authentic understanding of their design education.
Project Type:
Branding,
Print,Media
Tools:Illustrator,
Indesign
The Project
The Kit, my year-long thesis project, emerged from a highly personalized approach shaped by my distinct viewpoint, inspirations, and thought processes. During the first semester of my senior year, I was tasked with discussing "thesis" every week as homework. This assignment led me to reach out to alumni and engage with current students about their thesis projects.
Drawing on my anthropology minor, I found myself fascinated by the diverse experiences and perspectives of design students, both within SUNY New Paltz and beyond. It became clear that this exploration could resonate with a broader audience. Anyone with an interest in design, regardless of their affiliation with New Paltz, could find value in understanding various perspectives in the field.
Research
For the majority of the year, I immersed myself in a wide range of design school literature. My readings spanned from renowned design educators like Ellen Lupton and Mitch Goldstein to unconventional self-help books for designers. The initial goal was to cast a wide net, exploring how both educators and students approached design school. As my research progressed, I gradually narrowed my focus, honing in on more specific aspects of the design education experience, and ultimatelly ending up discussing the experiences of designers around me in New Paltz.
Just *SOME* of the things I read and took photos of
Outreach & Participation
This project thrived on personal connections within our design community. Instead of relying on generic surveys, I reached out to students and alumni individually, aiming for quality conversations over quantity. To create an environment for sharing, I hosted 'Thesis Parties' each semester - these became a great way to gather insights and really connect with the people I was designing for.
As I listened to freshmen share their early experiences and seniors offer advice, it became clear that these collective stories needed a home. The result is a resource that acts like a seasoned friend in the design world - something to turn to when you need guidance or inspiration throughout your college journey.
Design Solution
I chose to create a tangible box filled with posters, zines, and printed materials based on the collected stories. This decision stemmed from a desire to step away from the digital realm and provide something physical and present in students' living spaces. The tactile nature of these materials offers a refreshing break from screen time, while their physical presence in a dorm room or workspace serves as a constant, visual reminder that you're not alone in your journey. These tangible items create a personal, offline connection to the wider design community. This approach transforms abstract advice and experiences into concrete, accessible resources that can offer comfort and inspiration just when you need them most.
Design Process
I presented a Pecha Kucha presentation that not only helped establish the core concept of my project and share it with my audience but pushed me to explore a new visual language. The idea was handwritten elements juxtaposed with large bold type to be representative of the inner voice of a design student. (Spoiler alert, I did not end up with this visual style, but it was the turning point in researching styles that spoke to me and the project).
As I kept sharing and tweaking the project in its early stages, it became clear that this site-specific work needed more nods to the university. I wasn't keen on just copying SUNY New Paltz's exact colors, so I played around with their standard blue and orange, creating slight variations that became the main color theme for my project. Running with the 'survival kit' concept, I designed icons that mixed 'survival' elements with 'design' motifs.
This blend of university-inspired colors and custom icons really helped tie the whole project together, making it feel uniquely New Paltz while still having its own identity.
Design Process - The Box & Elements
With a now more defined style, I focused on transforming the story contributions into practical resources for students. I used Packlane for the box production, which meant getting those proofs approved early on.
This timeline actually worked in my favor – while the boxes were being printed and shipped, I had time to fine-tune the internal elements. I printed all the elements in-house, giving me more control and flexibility over their design right up to the last minute. This approach let me balance the professional look of the custom box with the personalized touch of the handcrafted internal pieces.
The Design Show
At the Design Show, I had the opportunity to present the kit to contributors, designers, and students alike. Watching everyone engage with the advice and stories was both humorous and heartwarming. In that moment, I saw the project truly come to life as a community builder, connecting past and present designers through shared experiences.
Reflections
I poured my heart into this project (though, let's be real, I tend to do that with everything I work on). Every story shared with me felt like a precious gift, and I couldn't help but think of each future kit recipient as if they were my own design kid. Making this survival kit was like channeling my natural urge to nurture and support everyone around me. I feel incredibly lucky and thankful to be part of such an amazing community that I could give back to in this way.
Graduating-Senior Approved ;)