THE DELIVERABLES
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Website
Branding
primary logo
agenda
secondary logo
neutraface text
Promotional Material
the concept
why calculus?
I really enjoy calculus and have been searching for an opportunity to incorporate it into my design work for a long time. Unfortunately, when I tell people this I am often met with shock and horror by people proclaiming their disdain for math. And I understand it, a lot of people have had negative experiences with the subject, but I wish that people could see how interesting it can be. I believe understanding calculus is more achievable than many people think because it has real tangible roots and less "crunchy" computations than other math subjects like statistics. In practice it's really more like a puzzle and you just have to use math to get from one step to another.
why is it important?
Beyond personal frustrations with math, there are also larger systematic issues at play. In the words of Duke Professor Rann Bar-On: "My [non-STEM major math] classes have a higher percentage of people of color, of female students, of students from lower socioeconomic backgrounds, of public school students, than your average STEM Duke class. In all those populations, it is far more likely that someone has communicated to them, either directly or indirectly, that math is not theirs."
why is this the solution?
The first step to getting good at anything is starting, and that seems to be the greatest barrier for a lot of people when it comes to calculus. My hope is that by removing all of the numbers and jargon that would typically scare non-STEM students away, people will be able to look beyond their preconceived notions of calculus and find something they enjoy doing.
the takeaways
Reflection
Through my graphic design project aimed at introducing calculus to a broader audience, I embarked on a journey that not only honed my technical skills but also enriched my understanding of various soft skills crucial for project success.
From a technical standpoint, I delved deep into graphic and web design, utilizing the many capabilities of Figma to craft visually engaging website layouts and prototypes. The project demanded meticulous attention to detail, particularly in creating a cohesive brand identity and organizing complex mathematical concepts into digestible lessons. Video editing became an unexpected yet vital skill I acquired, allowing me to convey the project's essence through dynamic promotional content.
Moreover, the project instilled in me a newfound appreciation for user-centric design. By empathizing with the target audience—individuals daunted by calculus—I gained insights into their needs and preferences, shaping the website's structure and content to foster a welcoming learning environment.
On a personal level, this project cultivated resilience and self-motivation. Despite encountering challenges along the way, such as time constraints and technical hurdles, I remained steadfast in my commitment to delivering a high-quality product. The experience reinforced the importance of perseverance and self-discipline in pursuing ambitious endeavors.
In retrospect, this graphic design project transcended its initial goal of teaching calculus—it became a platform for personal and professional growth. It equipped me with a diverse skill set, from technical prowess to interpersonal finesse, that will undoubtedly serve me well in future endeavors. Most importantly, it reaffirmed my passion for design as a powerful medium for education and communication, inspiring me to continue pushing boundaries and making a meaningful impact through my work.
Hard Skills
Soft Skills
Creativity: generating innovative solutions for designing the website and promotional materials
Problem-Solving: overcoming challenges encountered during the project, such as design constraints or technical issues
Time Management: managing your time effectively to meet project deadlines and milestones
Adaptability: being flexible and open to making adjustments based on feedback and changes in requirements
Attention to Detail: ensuring accuracy and precision in design elements, copywriting, and video editing
Empathy: understanding the needs and perspectives of the target audience to create a user-friendly website
Self-Motivation: working independently and staying motivated throughout the project duration
Critical Thinking: analyzing information and making informed decisions to enhance the project's quality
Presentation Skills: effectively presenting and promoting the project to potential users or stakeholders through videos and website content
Graphic Design: creating visually appealing designs for the website
Web Design: developing and designing the website layout, structure, and user interface
Figma: proficiency in using Figma for designing, prototyping, and collaborating on the project
Video Editing: editing promotional videos to effectively convey the message
Copywriting: writing engaging and informative copy for both the website and promotional videos
Research Skills: conducting research on math education, calculus, and related topics to inform the project
Brand Identity Development: creating a cohesive brand identity for the project to maintain consistency across all elements
Lesson Planning: formulating a structured lesson plan to effectively introduce calculus to a diverse audience
Information Organization: planning the website's page tree to ensure logical navigation and content flow
Prototyping: creating prototypes to visualize and test the website's functionality and design