Drifting Through It All - Caitlyn Cooper

Author/Artist Name

Caitlyn CooperFollow

Files

Academic Level at Time of Creation

Senior

Date of Creation

Spring 4-26-2024

Artist Statement

My body of work combines Graphic Design and UI/UX design to investigate and problem solve how to make well-designed products that are interesting and accessible to the broader public. UI/UX work has allowed me to design with intention, finding purpose in my choices and making the experience easy to navigate for the end-user. Accessibility is not an afterthought but a cornerstone of the creative process. Whether crafting a website, a mobile app, or a digital interface, each project must be approached with a deep understanding of its context, audience, and objectives, ensuring that every design choice aligns seamlessly with overarching goals. My design process includes using tools such as Figma, Adobe Illustrator, and Adobe Photoshop. Inspired by the study of Sociology, a fascination with the human experience and the patterns of human behavior within design has emerged as a primary theme within my practice. Language, behavioral patterns, and social norms are shaped by our culture. Learning how to apply sociological knowledge to design allows one to work with human behavior rather than against it. “Alpha-Gal Pal” is a UI/UX mobile design mockup centering around Alpha Gal, an allergy causing intolerance to red meat and other mammalian products. The app that I conceptualized and designed would allow users to scan grocery items while shopping, checking the ingredient list and product for known allergens. The app’s visual design and functionality would ideally allow users to feel safer when shopping, as the FDA is not required to alert consumers about red meat by-products in ingredient lists. By making the design accessible and helpful, allergens become easier to navigate for users. Massimo Vignelli is an influential Graphic Designer and his work has shaped my approach to design and typography. Studying Vignelli’s work, including his New York subway signage, has taught techniques for creating visually engaging typography and accessible design solutions. For a Web Design course at Murray State University, students were tasked with redesigning an Art Museums exhibitions website only using typography. Vignelli’s bold typography work inspired my work for the project and allowed for the creation of aggressive typography that reflected the Tate Museum and the contemporary art they exhibit. Although the typography is visually aggressive, navigation and accessibility were still important factors when constructing this design. Through the convergence of graphic design and UI/UX, I strive to redefine the boundaries of digital creativity, forging new paths that prioritize accessibility, intentionality, and above all, empathy. All of the works featured are Graphic Design works, with mockups and videos used to show the designs.

Advisor/Mentor

Scott Cook; T. Michael Martin

Description

The focus of my work is highlighting accessibility in design and creating work that works with human nature. In the BA/BS exhibition, I included my UI/UX and web design work in the show as the culmination of my Graphic Design work at Murray State University. Each of the works included highlight different types of accessible design that I want to continue working on after college. MenstruLog focuses on person-first language when describing illnesses and pain and uses gender neutral language throughout the app mockup. Alpha Gal Pal allows the user to use the camera to scan food items to check ingredients for possible allergens, allowing users to have peace of mind with their food. LunarVentures was designed with accessibility in mind, using contrasting colors, legible text, easy to navigate user-flows, and descriptive text and imagery for screen readers.

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License

Recommended Citation

Cooper, Caitlyn, "Drifting Through It All - Caitlyn Cooper" (2024). B.A./B.S. Practicum Group Exhibit (ART 499). 65.
https://digitalcommons.murraystate.edu/art499/65