Currents: notes from a capstone project
Sam Moore '09, a Graphic Design major and Business Administration minor from Loudon, N.H., discusses his senior Capstone project that combines his academic interests of sustainability with design and marketing. Moore is a member of the Wesson Honors Program and the Alpha Chi Honors Society. The Capstone project, which involves extensive research and presentation, is the culmination of each student's academic experience and part of the Liberal Education Program at Colby-Sawyer College.
Describe the subject of your Capstone project and why you chose to focus on this subject.
The focus of this Honors Capstone Project is a fusion of my concern for the environment and my immersion in the field of graphic design. Through this project I have been examining how ideas of sustainability are inspiring changes in professional design practices with regard to paper use, design decisions and marketing strategies.
The completion of my Honors Capstone Project has involved sharing the knowledge I have gained in a presentation to Graphic Design students, writing a recent article for the Wesson Honors Program newsletter, and utilizing sustainable design practices while working for an actual client, Colby-Sawyer's GreenROUTES organization.
Over the past year, GreenROUTES students have completed a multitude of environmental awareness projects while conducting a sustainability assessment of the college. This assessment has been completed in accordance with the American College and University Presidents Climate Commitment, which President Tom Galligan signed in 2007. GreenROUTES' important work will culminate this month in a report to the president, combining extensive analysis with recommended policy changes to help the college achieve a more sustainable level of operations.
As the final part of my Honors Capstone Project, I have worked with the GreenROUTES team to increase awareness of their work on campus and ensure that their green messages are being communicated in an environmentally conscious way. Our partnership has led to the creation of a visual identity for the group, and we are currently completing their final report with plans to print on recycled paper, use green binding methods, and make portions of the report available online.
What research did you conduct for this project?
The most important research I conducted for this project was attending an innovative conference held in Boston this past October. With generous funding from the Student Academic Travel Fund and the Wesson Honors Program, I was able to attend a portion of the 2008 Green Media Show, a conference that brought together business leaders, graphic designers and marketing professionals looking to make their business communications more sustainable. The knowledge gained from this conference helped me identify further sources of information and assisted me in finalizing the three components of my project.
What did you learn through your Capstone project, and in what ways is it a culmination of your learning experience at Colby-Sawyer?
My Honors Capstone Project on sustainable graphic design has taught me a wealth of information about environmental issues and the “greeness” of common materials used by graphic designers. I've also come to better understand the power of designers to affect positive change because of their unique role in helping organizations craft messages for large audiences.
What was most fun and rewarding for you in the process of creating your Capstone?
The most rewarding part of my Capstone has been working with the GreenROUTES team and being able to apply sustainable ideas to real-world design projects. The experience I have gained working with a client will be valuable after graduation, and the projects I have been able to work on are proving to be excellent additions to my portfolio.
What did you find most challenging and difficult about the project?
The most challenging aspect of this project was simply finding ways to communicate how designers can think sustainably about their work. No two design projects are the same, and different projects call for different strategies when selecting messages and materials. I have attempted to help others understand the topic of sustainable design by using a variety of communication media to share what I've learned and by creating a list of “Green Resources for Graphic Designers.”
What do you hope will be the lasting value of your Capstone project, both for you and others?
The knowledge I've gained from completing this project will stay with me and undoubtedly spur greater research as I leave college and begin my career. I am hopeful that my design work for GreenROUTES will help spread future messages of the group and lend authority and clarity to their forth-coming policy recommendations for President Galligan and the Colby-Sawyer community.
