UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Penn State College of Arts and Architecture students who are wrapping up their studies for their master of fine arts degrees with a concentration in graphic design this spring are hosting a thesis exhibition of projects dedicated to enhancing lives through human-centered design April 15-19 in the Borland Project Space (125 Borland Building, University Park).
Titled “Echoes and Edges,” the exhibition will be open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily with a reception to be held from 5-7 p.m. April 17. The three graduating students will be on hand to discuss their projects, which are digital applications (apps) that are focused on self-improvement. Viewers will be able explore how each project brings creativity and intention together to encourage better well-being and offer solutions to elevate the human experience.
Forough Yazdan Panah will give an artist’s talk on her app, titled “Flourish,” at noon on April 16. Flourish is tailored to generate greater empathy and understanding of the diverse range of human experiences. To appreciate and validate the lived experience of highly sensitive individuals, the app is also designed for them to cope with intense stress and pressure, be productive and perform self-care. The app considers the impact of societal expectations on mental health, emotional expression and identity formation, particularly among marginalized populations and highly sensitive individuals.
Jordan Wolf’s app, titled “Gracefully,” is a mobile app to foster forgiveness among young adults. She will present her artist’s talk at noon on April 18. Gracefully encourages forgiveness as a form of self-care and highlights its profound impact on one’s health. Through guided reflections and interactive exercises, users cultivate forgiveness habits, enhance emotional resilience and foster better well-being. Gracefully provides a transformative digital space for users to engage in this vital practice.
Negar Dehghan’s app, titled “Glucomood,” is designed for adolescents with Type 1 diabetes (T1D). She will present an artist talk at 3 p.m. April 18 to discuss her project. Glucomood addresses the dual challenges of diabetes management and mental well-being with functions for tracking blood glucose levels and mood to understand their correlation, a journal for personal reflections, meditation exercises designed to address the specific challenges of living with T1D and interactive games that encourage the adoption of healthy lifestyle habits. Glucomood also includes a community section that enables users to connect, share their experiences and support each other.
The master of fine arts degree with a concentration in graphic design is offered by the Stuckeman School in conjunction with the School of Visual Arts in the College of Arts and Architecture.