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Matthew B

- Research Program Mentor

MFA Master of Fine Arts

Expertise

Graphic design, data science, sustainability, participatory design, information design, sound design, film making, photography, creative writing, user experience design

Project ideas

Project ideas are meant to help inspire student thinking about their own project. Students are in the driver seat of their research and are free to use any or none of the ideas shared by their mentors.

Storytelling for Impact (Presentation)

We will learn how to create a clear and compelling visual presentation or pitch-deck for your academic research or business idea. We will consider design elements such as typography, form, color, scale, custom infographic design, and imagery while shaping a narrative for your intended audience. We will also discuss brand identity and you will practice your public speaking skills.

Storytelling for Impact (Sound Design)

In this project we will create an audio podcast for a social impact cause of your choice. The theme could be, for example, ocean conservation, land use, food, heritage, fashion, or cultural memory. After researching the issue extensively, you will then express you own viewpoint through the medium of sound. You will learn how to weave elements such as voice, environmental sounds, and music together to create an emotional and immersive narrative soundscape. The end result could be a sound story or podcast series which inspires action and awareness around your selected sustainability theme.

Storytelling for Impact (Information Design)

In this project we will create a custom information design for a social impact cause of your choice. After researching the issue extensively, you will then express you own viewpoint through the format of information design. This will challenge you to portray complex information clearly and creatively to an intended audience. We will source appropriate data, analyze it, storyboard visualization concepts, and develop a custom information graphic or a series of them. The end result could be a digital image or poster which inspires action and awareness around your selected sustainability theme. We will also discuss themes like "greenwashing" and how to avoid it.

Storytelling for Impact (Photo Series)

Through this project you will create a custom photo series for a social impact cause. First pick a local or global sustainability issue that is focused on sustainability and impact. After researching the issue extensively, you will then learn to express you own viewpoint through the medium of photography. Through this project we will discuss strategies for photographic research, developing a strong concept, shooting tips, image composition, and image editing. The end result could be a digital or printed photographic series which inspires action and awareness around your selected sustainability theme.

Coding skills

HTML, CSS, Python

Interested in working with expert mentors like Matthew?

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