G.R.I.D.
Undergraduate Honors Thesis, BFA Graphic Design
How can designers influence environmental sustainability on a college campus? How can we use design thinking to engage others in making sustainable living choices that benefit our environment and our bodies? Designers can spread ideas by helping others to evaluate their current decision-making processes and visualize networks on a large scale. Through G.R.I.D., which stands for Green Resources in Design, I created a system of visual learning that promotes environmental sustainability within a small, connected community: Monmouth University’s campus. A logo, typeface and color palette set the groundwork for this visual series that includes an informational poster series, packaging component, and mobile app. As a unit, this series educates the audience about the ways that Monmouth University currently addresses environmental sustainability and ignites ideas for how it could be addressed in the future.
Concept, Name & Logo Design
With relevance as a design tool and environmental term, the word grid, defined as a structure made up of a series of intersecting curved guide lines, is the perfect cue to connect this series of resources to the Monmouth University community. A grid structures design elements in a certain space the same way that it structures a garden or solar panels. It creates a standard of organization.
Poster Series
Three-part poster series illustrates the ways that Monmouth currently addresses environmental sustainability, and how it could be addressed in the future.
MU Waste
Adobe Illustrator
This piece explains how MU addresses the rising costs of energy and graphically shows the impact of our efforts. Here, I show existing initiatives on campus that address waste management and sustainability, specifically in food and water supply and paper use, and made visual connections between them.
MU Green Energy
Adobe Illustrator
This poster illustrates the ways that Monmouth addresses energy use by highlighting the installation of solar panels on four main buildings on campus. Symbols and icons are used in numerical equivalents to explain the effects and savings of the solar panels.
MU Bike Share
Adobe Illustrator
I created this poster to promote a campus bike share that students, faculty and staff could utilize on and around campus. Instead of driving from one building to another, participants could unlock and ride a bike on campus to reduce traffic as well as carbon emissions in the immediate area.
MU Harvest: Rebranding the community garden
This packaging concept streamlines the process for involvement in the Monmouth University community garden by bundling all registration materials, tips on best practices and a starter seed pod.All printed materials were printed on recycled, Environment Grade paper by Neenah paper company. Neenah’s environment grade paper is made from fibers sourced sustainably and locally.
Hand screen printed G.R.I.D. canvas bag
G.R.I.D. mobile app
Users create a profile and quickly access information, upcoming community events, and download helpful resources.
