Design Thesis Research

 1.  Just a Fad? Gamification in Health and Fitness Apps Topic: Can implementing game elements in fitness apps encourage more healthy behaviors? Hypothesis: Having game elements in fitness apps encourages more use of the app. Method: In this study, over forty key search terms were researched when looking for fitness applications in the app store. Terms like "running| or "lose weight" were searched in order to find a variety of different apps. After pulling around 132 apps, they were each analyzed to see what components of gamification they have implanted in their design. Some of the elements they considered a part of gamification were  self-representation with avatars three-dimensional environments narrative context (or story) reputations, ranks, and levels They also reviewed app reviews to get a better idea of people's experiences with the app.  Result: The study concluded that at least 52.5% of the applications had some form of gamification implemented in their des...

  What do you consider to be your medium, style, and services of choice? Describe why you feel that is the case and find some examples that support why your approaches are viable.  For me, I see my services as UI/UX and graphic design for whatever the company needs. I've worked with a lot of forms of entertainment for TV and music, and I have been told that my style feels very whimsical and childlike at times. I'm fine with embracing aspects of that style, but I also enjoy exploring different styles and challenging myself. Many of the design jobs I have had me making something directed for a younger audience or advertising an upcoming concert or show. So I feel that is where my style comes from mostly. Examples of some my past work What skills, aptitudes, and abilities are current jobs in your field requiring, and how do you think your skills align with them? Please provide links and or citations to where you are gathering this information.  For graphic design  ...

 Sport, Gender, and Power Topic:  How does rollerskating connect to gender identity and self-confidence?   Hypothesis: Rollerskating encourages self-confidence, physically and mentally. Method:  Using Sara Ahmed's theories and feminist poststructural theory, the article focuses on the lives of three women involved with roller skating and roller derby communities and how they changed their life. One of the women simply known as Debby wrote in a personal research journal about how her first sessions of rollerskating were going. As an unemployed single mother of two, Debby wrote how skating "gave her a physical and emotional venue to talk back to the stigmatization she experienced as an out-of-work mother"(Pavlidis & Fullgar, 2014). Result: The study concluded in all of the participants felt a sense of physical strength, power, and a sense of belonging after their rollerskating sessions.  Summary: This journal was definitely an interesting read w...