This work explores the nuanced intersection of undergraduate design education and the challenges that inextricably link art foundations to design— questioning the conventional belief that the value of a Bachelor of Arts degree’s is solely determined by the student’s effort. It delves into the specific hurdles that young BIPOC designers encounter, including a lack of self-esteem, insufficient access to necessary tools, and a dearth of opportunities crucial for success in the increasingly popular field of design.
"Trajectories" showcases interventions designed to empower students by allowing them to contextualize their educational journey, conduct wisdom-sharing with faculty and peers, and dismantle prevalent myths about career exploration in design. The exhibition offers tools to confront bias and discrimination within the design industry which adversely affects BIPOC students' self-perception, confidence, and professional opportunities.
By adhering to design principles and structure established by Dr. Julie Schell Assistant Vice Provost of Academic Technology and the Director of the Office of Academic Technology at The University of Texas at Austin, this handbook was crafted under her direction to guide students through the course with clarity and confidence, ensuring a rewarding learning experience.
In this course, students engaged in three major projects, each consisting of seven activities designed to build their design skills and understanding. Throughout these activities, students learned to share and receive quality feedback, a crucial aspect of their development. To succeed, students must be prepared to listen to their peers and solicit constructive feedback on their designs.
The evaluation of each project will be a collaborative effort between the professor and the student. They will use the following framework to determine the final grade: one-third will be based on grasp, which involves understanding the ideas, issues, and constraints of the project and demonstrating an appropriate approach to inquiry; one-third will focus on the process, emphasizing the consistent and rigorous development and testing of ideas through research and iteration; and one-third will be based on resolution, highlighting the demonstration of competence, completeness, and finesse through representation.
This isn’t just a zine. It’s a zineapedia— a combination of the relaxed rules and informal guidelines often applied to zines combined with aspects of an encyclopedia that usually gives detailed information about a particular subject.
PSST! (Pullovers, Spiders, Swords, and Tomatoes) is a collaborative project in the MFA Visual Design Studio course. The project started with each student picking an animal or object and recreating it in 100 different ways based on various directives. The brief included image creation and writing. The writing consists of historical information, fiction, and poetry about the subject. Each student had to use the object as the inspiration for a 13-page layout and section that included writing about the object or insect.
Tasheka Arceneneaux Sutton
Associate Professor of Design
Department of Design & Creative Technologies - College of Fine Art
The University of Texas at Austin
We Stand On Their Shoulders
I wouldn't be where I am today without their inspiration and support.