Poster Session
Share a Coke: Creating Community Through Brand Identity and Personalization View Digital Media
Poster Session Susan Alessandri
A brand identity is the strategically planned and purposeful presentation of a brand manifest in its name, logo, tagline and color palette. The Share a Coke campaign relied on Coca-Cola's famous brand identity design to introduce a campaign that evolved into a global phenomenon. Coca-Cola bottles in 80 countries were debranded - the official brand identity was removed - and instead personalized with the phrase "Share a Coke with ..." followed by each country's most popular names. This marketing approach prompted consumers to share the soda with their friends, both in person and through photos posted to social media platforms. Some of the metrics of the campaign's success include global sales of 150 million personalized bottles, global trending hashtag in #shareacoke, and one billion media impressions. In the US, sales increased for the first time in a decade. This case study traces the origins, evolution and success of the award-winning global campaign, with a focus on how the design of the iconic Coca-Cola brand identity was integral to that success.
Accessibility and Equality: Developing Accessible Solutions in Finland View Digital Media
Poster Session Sini Roine, Kaisa Leka
ESSI – Accessible and Intelligent Living Solutions project has been studying accessibility focusing on three different target groups: persons with reduced mobility, persons with visual impairments and persons with hypersensitivity. The project aims to create new concept ideas for the local manufacturing industry to help create new business opportunities. There have been huge breakthroughs in the development of accessibility solutions, but a significant stigma is attached to using disability aids. With co-design we can create affordable and desirable disability aids. The main problem for disabled persons is non-inclusive design which marginalizes a vast amount of people, creating disabling environments. The project has conducted interviews, inclusive workshops for companies and end-users as well as concept tests in collaboration with students and experts. Data received from the actions has been analyzed, for example, using affinity diagrams to understand the needs of the end-users. The main results of accessibility challenges have been transformed into concepts and prototypes. The ESSI project has developed four concepts including a smart creature that works as a door phone, “a lightsaber” that leads a person to a door with light and sound, a smart door that has a reminder function and can adjust the home environment, and grab rails with new exciting features. The project has had an opportunity to conduct a few testing situations. More testing is needed to ensure the best possible results to make sure that numerous end-users' voices are heard.
American Dream: Indian Student Migration to the US View Digital Media
Poster Session Amrita Datta
Indian international students contribute to American society by sharing their diverse cultural heritage, from cuisine and festivals to fashion and beyond. However, they often face a complex balancing act between embracing new values and traditions while preserving their cultural roots. This process of cultural adaptation can be further complicated by xenophobia and anti-immigrant rhetoric, particularly in the post-9/11 era. Such narratives have led to challenges for students to navigate their identity within a host society that often views them through stereotypes. Global political tensions and rising anti-immigrant sentiments further hinder their integration. Moreover, the UN SDGs recognize the need to reduce inequalities and promote peace and prosperity by 2030. This includes addressing structural barriers that limit the full participation of immigrant communities. As a result, this design research inquiry explores immigration policies, resistance to assimilation, and strategies to overcome cultural and bureaucratic challenges. By creating a more inclusive space for international students, this research aims to contribute to the evolving relationship between the U.S. and India. As U.S.-India relations deepen, it's crucial to consider the social and cultural aspects of this partnership. This research documents the experiences of Indian design students in the U.S., illuminating their aspirations, realities, and the myths surrounding their journey. By using storytelling to map their immigration experiences, the research highlights employability challenges, emerging trends, and key obstacles they face. Amplifying their voices fosters a more inclusive and equitable future in the field of design and technology.
Design, Nature and Creativity Confluence: A Case Study of Biomimetic Process for the Development of a Nautilidae-Inspired Art Museum View Digital Media
Poster Session Alice Araujo Marques De Sá
In the contemporary context, it is vital to include sustainable, regenerative, and ecological approaches in design education and professional practice. Exploring nature-inspired perspectives and resources, such as biomimicry, offers innovative pathways to address environmental and societal challenges. Biomimicry corresponds to the investigation of biological analogies, transposing them to inspire new products, constructions, and services. This qualitative research employed a case study to assess the use of the biomimicry-thinking problem-based method for developing a Biomimetic-Inspired Art Museum. The design drew inspiration from Nautilidae, cephalopods with an organic logarithmic spiral shape, internal modular chambers, and notable structural resistance. Also, the project included Voronoi tessellation, for optimizing spatial distribution for façade elements. The biomimetic method provided a framework to guide the project while evaluating its alignment with functional and sustainable requirements throughout the creative development. Searching for natural inspiration in biomimetic databases promoted an extensive formal and conceptual exploration, ultimately resulting in a suitable structure that met the established specifications. The need for interdisciplinary collaboration for similar projects was emphasized, particularly concerning the integration of product designers, biologists, biomimeticians, and architects. In conclusion, biomimicry offers an extensive array of resources for designers, stimulating innovative, ethical, and sustainable perspectives. This area has considerable potential to expand the creative toolkit of designers while reconnecting students, practitioners, and communities with nature. Additional studies are required, including other biomimetic tools and methods, and a life cycle analysis of the building proposal. Assessing the application of living and biobased materials in this design approach is recommended.
Boosting Female Participation in Vocational Programs at Zaatari Camp: Architectural Approaches to Empowerment View Digital Media
Poster Session Paula Calixto Egues
This study investigates the role of architectural design in enhancing female vocational engagement at the Zaatari Refugee Camp in Jordan. The research aims to address entrenched gender inequalities and educational barriers faced by refugee women through culturally sensitive and empowering architectural interventions. By applying feminist design principles, the project seeks to create safe, inclusive spaces tailored to women’s needs, fostering participation in vocational programs. A mixed-methods approach, combining surveys, interviews, focus groups, and observational data, evaluates the impact of these interventions on participation rates, mental well-being, and economic empowerment. The anticipated outcomes include increased vocational program enrolment, improved mental and social health, and enhanced community resilience. By providing empirical evidence on the relationship between architectural design and women’s empowerment, this study contributes to broader efforts to promote gender equity and sustainable community development in refugee contexts globally.
Designing Mechanisms for Sustainable Internal Quality Assurance in Basic Education Schools in Thailand: User Experience Research View Digital Media
Poster Session Jatuphum Ketchatturat
The objective of this research is to design mechanisms for driving a sustainable internal quality assurance system for basic education schools in Thailand. The research methodology employed user experience (UX) design. The target group of the research consisted of six primary schools. The key informants included six administrators, twelve teachers, and one district education office. The key informants from the district education office comprised two administrators, three educational supervisors, and five experts who conducted the quality evaluation. The research instruments included semi-structured interviews, field note forms, and quality evaluation forms. Data analysis was conducted through data categorization, data linking, and analytic induction. The research found that the mechanisms for driving a sustainable internal quality assurance system consisted of Smart director, Partnership school, Learning and innovation, Supervision monitoring and evaluation, and Competencies of quality assurance. The quality evaluation by experts found that the developed mechanisms met the evaluation standards of accuracy, propriety, feasibility, utility, and accountability. Feedback from the users indicated a high level of satisfaction with the developed mechanisms, as they aligned with their developmental needs and provided benefits to the schools.
Resonance in Dissonance: Noise and the Aesthetics of Auditory Abstraction View Digital Media
Poster Session Mariam Basowad
“Dissonance,” “discordance,” and “cacophony” are among the countless negative connotations associated with noise in the fields of communication, musicology, and sound studies. In these contexts, noise is often perceived as an “interference” that needs to be mitigated and controlled. Similar biases exist in communications design, influenced partly by a historical preference for clarity, order, and coherence, coupled with the belief that noise diverges from conventional design principles. However, this research reframes noise as an event, a flux, a multisensory entity, and, most importantly, a means of emancipation from established artistic norms. The study explores the vital role of abstract sonic noise in communication, considering how to craft more resonant and immersive experiences and unlock new possibilities for creativity and expression. Moreover, it examines how the attributes of noise can be integrated into design methodologies. To achieve this objective, the research surveys sound, philosophy, and communication studies, drawing upon the insights of esteemed philosophers and composers, including Jacques Attali, Salomé Voegelin, and Luigi Russolo. Additionally, it investigates historical and contemporary practices of incorporating noise in creative fields, such as music and audiovisual art. Through a synthesis of theoretical and practical experimentation, this study demonstrates the effectiveness of noise as a communicative and resonant medium.
