ADVISOR
Abby Guido
ROLE
Visual Designer, UX Designer
TIMELINE
14 Weeks
TOOLS
Figma, Adobe Illustrator, Adobe Photoshop
Background
At Temple University, I noticed there were some stereotypes about Chinese students, including perceptions of them all being wealthy, reserved in class discussions, or inherently introverted. To counter these misconceptions, I selected this issue as the focal point of my senior thesis project.
Research and Discovery
To understand and address stereotypes surrounding Chinese students, I conducted interviews with 8 Chinese students and surveyed with 50 American students, professors from Temple University. As a result, I found 6 of the most common stereotypes and revealed 6 truths about them.
Logo Development
The logo was inspired by a Chinese traditional stamp, which I reimagined into a hexagon to reflect harmony and inclusiveness. Each side represented an individual student, illustrating their diversity and different personalities.
Interactive Posters
Each poster focused on a stereotype associated with Chinese students. I created a photography collage for each student and used high-contrast and bright colors to draw viewers' attention. I also included a QR code that led viewers to a website for further engagement and narratives, enriching their understanding and challenging their assumptions.
Website
Each page presented a unique narrative and story of each student, allowing viewers to understand their life experiences.
Instagram Post
In addition to the website, I developed a series of Instagram posts to increase C-ME campaign engagement. These posts not only enriched viewers' understanding of Chinese culture but also fostered a more inclusive perspective.
Afterthoughts
During my portfolio show, C-ME ignited engaging conversations between students and faculty. By attracting attention and fostering discussions about cultural stereotypes, the project was able to demonstrate the power of design to foster social awareness.
The project was also recognized as one of the top 10 thesis projects at the Tyler School of Art. C-ME was also awarded the 2021 New Talent Silver Award from Graphis, an award often considered the bible of the art world.
As a result of the success of C-ME, my aspiration to influence the world through design has been reignited. With such esteemed recognitions and real-world results, I have gained confidence, motivating me to keep creating designs that are both beautiful and useful.
