MFA THESES EXHIBITIONS

ALBA CONEJERO | THE "BACKPACK" METHODOLOGY

DEGREE AWARD DATE: SPRING 2024

ABOUT THE ARTIST

Alba Conejero I Gutierrez is a designer and educator, based in Alabama. Her work focuses on graphic, motion, and interactive design. Her current research in design research methodologies is born from her love for design, teaching, and interest in data collection.

ARTIST'S STATEMENT

The “Backpack” methodology is a research methodology designed for first-year design students. This methodology aims to help students collect their visual research and resources in one place, where they can make connections, reflect on their findings, and transform them into creative output. Also, it emphasizes exploration, creates research habits, and encourages a culture of sharing among students, which makes research fun.

In this thesis project, the methodology refers to the overarching strategy for identifying, capturing, and processing information. The “Backpack” system refers to the framework where all this information is captured, categorized, analyzed, and finally, becomes creative output. The methodology is “how,” and the “Backpack” system is “where” to capture and process research.

The “Backpack” methodology exhibition consists of five displayed pieces whose objective is to represent, inform, and teach the audience's exhibit what the “Backpack” methodology is and how to implement the “Backpack” system into their creative process. The displayed pieces are a collage, a set of three infographic posters, a foldout poster, a website, and an animated tutorial.

THESIS PAPER