Senior Thesis Project
App Design
BGSU BFA Senior Thesis
Exhibition Show 2024
*James W. Strong Graphic Design Achievement Award
StellarReads allows students to enjoy interests and receive
stellar rewards.
According to the Nation's Report Card made in 2023, reading scores have decreased significantly since 2020 which means that students are not reading as much as they should and their academic success is heavily impacted from it. Current high school curriculums implement required reading in English courses to meet the guidelines of the state. Most of the books that are required to be read in classrooms have been staples in high schools for the last 20 years or so where our parents and even some of their parents have read them. While the books still maintain meaningful messages, they do not hold the same relevance as they once did. Allowing students to choose books that are based on their own interests increases the students' willingness and desire to read inside and outside of the classroom. It is also twice as powerful to allow students to select their own books in developing their reading comprehension rather than the school and teachers selecting the books for them. Additionally, implementing a way for students to compete against each other using a reward system can also increase their motivation and engagement. StellarReads was designed to incorporate all of that.
StellarReads is an app that can be implemented into the classroom to encourage the desire to read for joy and entertainment. The StellarReads app allows students to actually choose their own books to read instead of forcing them to read books they aren’t interested in. Another benefit of StellarReads is it encourages students to read by completing challenges to earn points to purchase prizes, like a coupon to miss a minor homework assignment or a gift card of their choice. Not only are the prizes used as incentives, but there is also a way for students to meet the curriculum expectations. Once a student finishes a book, they will be prompted to take a comprehensive quiz where students will answer questions based on the themes, the main conflict, etc. of the book. These quizzes are required for the book to be considered finished and count toward their challenge. This allows students to actively recall what happened in the book and to see if they fully understood it.
Take a look at the app!
The Gallery Space
As part of the 2024 BFA Senior Thesis Exhibition Show, StellarReads was presented as an interactive piece in a gallery space. The space was designed to allow viewers to peruse through the contents of the app. The gallery guests could also interact with two separate pieces. The first piece was answering a question by placing a sticker that correlates with their answer on the book. The second piece was answering a question by placing a colored pompom that correlates their answer in the jar. The books and the jar quickly filled up as guests walked through the gallery as guests was being mindful on students being able to choose their own books based on their own interests. In addition, I created stickers of my logo and bookmarks for the viewers in the gallery to take with them.
Take a look below!
