As we wrap up week 5, here is where I am at with my prototype, a brand platform for the Rural Design Studio. Reviewing the capstone requirements, below is my self-reflection on progress made and work still to be done.
Topic, resources, means of creation, and proposed components for messaging will be discussed and examined for a level of rigor appropriate for completion of the master's degree.
I am launching a brand — including brand platform, visual identity, website, and collateral — for a design studio intended to serve a rural audience. I am serving as the lead researcher and designer on this project, employing many of the skills I’ve gained in the past three years in MCAD’s MAGWD program. This project not only includes the production of work, but also an understanding of user needs, market competition, and brand building.
At this phase, 5 weeks in, I’ve conducted early-phase research and established a brand platform for the Rural Design Studio, including a visual identity and examples of business models to follow.
The project will be program-encompassing and representative of the Master of Arts in Graphic and Web Design. In addition to demonstrating a master's level of sophistication in topic and approach, the Capstone project will appropriately synthesize skillsets that comprise the degree, showcasing design theory and interactivity applied through learned techniques and technologies.
At this phase, my prototype displays skills developed through Design in Context, Typography, UX Design, and Experimental Interaction. I also used Adobe Illustrator, which is a Creative Cloud program I’d not had much comfort in prior to this program, along with Figma to start to create some digital prototypes and the presentation itself.
As I further develop the website — and build a capstone site — and continue to get user feedback, I’ll incorporate technical skills built through programming for web, web design, web development, and UX design.
Research and collected data must be accurate and verifiable, with sources listed and accessible. In addition to providing citations within the work itself, research assets will be accessible through an ongoing online archive (G Drive folder, Google Doc, Progress Platform of choice).
As I build out my final website, I will need to include my research sources more directly in the final presentation itself. Thus far, I’ve been collecting my research in this Google Doc. This has included a scan of like-minded business examples, rural design history and context, and shifts in the industry as it relates to remote work opportunities.
My focus going forward will be on user feedback from rural creatives, business owners, and nonprofit and foundation professionals. It is a mix of folks who I could see as both part of this network, as well as clients of the Rural Design Studio.
Consistent documentation of the process to further articulate the intentions of what you're making.
I’ve been documenting progress made along the way here, on a blog on an already established and publicly available page. I think I have the opportunity to be even more consistent in posting here, and doing a better job of showing my process, which I know will only be helpful for my final presentation.
In addition to other exhibition offerings and presentations, the final project, along with its process, will be accessible and discoverable for viewing as an online case study and gallery.
This part of my Capstone project is not yet started. I will need to set up an external, public site for hosting my final Capstone project and presentation. I’m considering adding this as a section under the final Rural Design Studio page, or whether a separate site is necessary.
The project should allow for community engagement and partnership. Your Capstone work will not exist in a vacuum. Through networking and external consultation, students are expected to leverage the project with audiences outside of class as a means to further social outreach for their topic and professional goals.
I’ve gotten some early feedback from ideal end users, but I’ll need to continue to engage my user feedback group as I move forward with the website buildout.