This creative project book details a year of research and design projects centering portrayals of asexuality in fiction, culminating in a virtual reality senior exhibition. It addresses how current popular media desexualizes and alienates asexual characters, and details ways that we can start to change this by crafting better media role models. Interspersed in this discussion is a reflection on my senior graphic design experience, putting on events in a virtual environment.

With our personal mental and physical well-bing in decline at home, in the workplace, and in the world, the interactive exhibition "STOP and play with plants" gives people a solution. Plants! Plants have been proven to improve one’s well-being. Through visual communication design an exhibit, a book, and a presentation were created to display the research on how plants benefit humanities well-being were created.

Animal testing is a social issue often forgotten because it does not directly affect the individual on a daily basis. I believe animal testing is an important issue to combat because these animals cannot speak for themselves. I focused the entirety of my senior year on creating projects within the Visual Communication Design program centered around animal testing. I felt it would be powerful to approach animal testing through visual communication design because it allows for the audience to digest the issue in a well-designed fashion, while also being informative. In the Fall of 2019 I designed and constructed a fully functional clock that highlighted the unaccounted for animal lives lost due to animal testing, specifically within the United States. In the Spring of 2020 I completed a virtual exhibit space advocating for individuals to switch to a cruelty-free lifestyle through the products they employ in their daily lives. This exhibit space was originally meant to be built and displayed in person, but due to COVID-19 this was unable to happen. Instead, I was able to work through this setback and construct an augmented reality exhibit. To view this and a process book of creating this virtual exhibit space, visit https://asudesignshow.com/Riley-Padua-Cruelty-Free-Beauty. Finally, I created a book to document the work I created within my senior year with an additional section dedicated to the social issue of animal testing. It is my hope that through my designs and throughout my life that I can be a voice for these animals and work to fight for the end of animal testing.

Everyone knows a female who participates in sport; if not you, a daughter, sister, or friend. She started out competing for the love and fun of the game. But slowly that changed. She began to feel the pressure. The pressure to succeed. She steps up to the line, into the blocks, onto the mat comparing herself, thinking, if only she lost those 2, 5, or 10+lbs she could achieve her goals, look more like the competitors around her. Fit the mold of an elite. This narrative manifests itself in far too many female athletes. One where body image and weight are harshly linked to one's potential for success rather than their actual talent, fitness, or strength. Along with this ideology comes a multitude of mental and health problems such as disordered eating, premature bone loss, and nearly 70% of female athletes have experienced some form of athletic amenorrhea (period loss). “Running on Empty” examines this issue and brings awareness to the byproducts, allowing those who are struggling to know that they are not alone.

This is a collection on research into, and designed pieces pertaining to, the loss of language in the USA. In particular, the analysis and social consequences of English-as-a-second-language learners losing their native language as they progress through American society. A number of factors have caused many American immigrants or natives to lose their first or family language, causing a cascade of personal and societal issues that range from educational deficiencies to federal and healthcare system failures.

As the designer is asked to design, create, or simply solve a problem, many factors go into that process. It generally begins with defining the scope or problem that undergoes an iterative process utilizing different tools and techniques to generate the desired outcome. This is often referred to as the design process. Notwithstanding the many factors that influence this process, this study investigates the use of theory for behavior change and its effect on the design process. While social behavioral theories have been extensively discussed in the realm of design, and a well-developed body of literature exists, there is limited knowledge about how designers respond to and incorporate theory into their design process. Fogg’s persuasive design (2003), Lockton’s design with intent (2009) and Tromp’s social implication framework (2011) stand as exemplars of new strategies developed towards design for behavior change that are able to empower designers’ mindsets, providing them with a uniquely insightful perspective to entice change. Instead of focusing on the effectiveness of the design end product, this study focuses on how theory-driven approaches affect the ideation and framing fragment of the design process. A workshop case study with senior design students was utilized with focused observations and post-workshop interviews to answer the research questions. This study contributes by providing a useful method of documenting a behavioral economics theory to the design process in a workshop setting. It also provides insights on how behavioral change theory application can be incorporated in a segment of the design process.

It is well understood that many people who experience hearing loss do not realize the extent of their loss and often do not seek help. This resistance to intervention puts them at risk of social isolation, depression and even serious neurological issues such as dementia.

This research explores first, the attitudes that people have toward hearing loss and how these attitudes affect the adoption of products and services that could help them. This may not seem like a design question, but it is paramount to designers who seek to improve the quality of life for this population. It is no longer enough to create beautiful, functional products. In order to make a difference in people’s lives, designers need to understand the underlying motivations that drive behavior. This informs the second question this study seeks to answer, what changes can be made to current products and services on the market in order to increase adoption.

Through a series of qualitative interviews with seniors experiencing hearing loss, this study finds that the main factors in their attitudes towards hearing loss are their feelings towards aging in general, their susceptibility to stigma, and their perceptions of the cost and functionality of the hearing devices available. However, the most important factor found in this study is a lack of awareness. Awareness of their own level of hearing loss. Awareness of the risks associated with putting off intervention. And awareness of the products and services available to help. Thus, design solutions that focus on visibility of services and patient education will have the most meaningful impact on quality of life for those who suffer from hearing loss.

The Psyche mission is based in a search for knowledge, to understand more about our Earth, our solar system, and the Universe. If scientists are right, we’ll be able to get a glimpse of the Earth’s inner workings unlike we’ve ever seen before. Educating ourselves and pursuing new knowledge is incredibly important - never stop exploring and never stop asking questions. Patagonia and Psyche share the same values. They care about people, the planet and both strive for a better world everyday. Be it through the advancement of knowledge or the efforts here on earth to better the lives of millions. Together we can excite the public about this mission, engender curiosity, and tie both stars above us to the earth below us.Our campaign is titled “Education through Exploration”, and we hope it engenders curiosity in everyone. This campaign includes a variety of different assets including huge banners for marketing ,a mini documentary about why we choose Patagonia, and a clothing line to excite the public about the Psyche mission. With the Patagonia + Psyche collaboration we wanted to release a Psyche inspired clothing line to help promote the mission. Some of Patagonia’s top selling items would be released in limited edition Psyche colors and a portion of the proceeds would help support STEM education. We hope that buying these products would help educate the importance of space and earth exploration and STEM education and research. Concern that results from outdoor recreation can lead to increased involvement in environmental issues.