UC classrooms become curated exhibitions
Annual DAAPworks includes student works, awards, wraps on the runway
The College of Design, Architecture, Art, and Planning (DAAP) came to life with a week of galleries full of student work in an annual exhibition showcasing the next generation’s work across disciplines.
This year’s DAAPworks featured a visual identity designed by recent alum Juju Stojanovic, implementing her Crosley Tower-themed typeface in one last ode to the college's former neighbor. Photo/DAAP
The DAAPworks showcase opened to the public with a spotlight on capstone projects tackling real-world challenges, like building communal spaces and bringing sustainability into retail fashion. Nearly 450 graduating students across 18 majors had work featured in the showcase.
This year’s event transformed the DAAP building during commencement week into galleries full of student work and closed with its iconic fashion show.
And while DAAPworks is a longstanding tradition of the school, this was the first one hosted by Dean Stephanie Pilat, who took on the mantle of dean last summer.
"Hosting my first DAAPworks as dean of DAAP is both an honor and a meaningful opportunity to witness the depth of creativity and critical thinking across our college,” said Pilat. “What makes this event so significant is not only the exceptional quality of the work, but the bold ways our students tackle complex, real-world challenges.”
An interactive experience
“DAAPworks has been really exciting,” said Master of Design degree grad Nicholas Namyar. “It’s a chance to share something I care about while being surrounded by so many creative people and ideas.”
Namyar’s capstone, “Brand the Band,” was truly collaborative from start to finish. As a designer who focuses on the music industry, his vision was to make branding for small artists more fan-centered.
“My thesis explores a co-creative approach to designing visual brands for emerging musicians by collaborating with their audience,” explained Namyar. “Artists are making music to be profitable and marketable to fans, so I wanted to have those fans help decide the brand,” he said.
Through coordinating live performances at DAAP with focus group audiences, Namyar tailored album designs to each artist’s niche. His DAAPworks display showcased the audience-made collages and the variety of final products that came from them.
Namyar said his co-op experience at industry giant Sony Music Entertainment directly inspired his thesis. In what he called a “full-circle moment,” Namyar will be returning to New York City this summer working with the design team.
Recognizing innovative designs
Special creative and innovation awards were presented by industry leaders in design and the arts including Cincinnati-based Charley Harper Art Studio, the Cincinnati Opera and ArtWorks.
Bria Dues, a recent industrial design grad, was awarded for her sensory school chair, Soma Seat. Photo/Mary Dwyer
The partnerships strengthen DAAP’s connections with industry, not only in Cincinnati but beyond. The April 28 awards ceremony was a spotlight on innovation and creativity across DAAP’s dozens of disciplines, from city planning to brand design.
Nearly 50 awards were distributed to students recognizing excellence in research, design and innovation. UC’s own 1819 Innovation Hub recognized five students for their projects, including adaptive chairs and food spoilage detectors, that were brought to life in the UC Makerspace.
DAAPworks 26 award recipients
- Shruti Parasher
- Annika Jansowsky
- Leo Brock
- Ben Ragals
- Bria Dues
- Megan Giese
- Luke Sheridan
- Penelope Clark
- Addison Lane
- Clare Wilker
- Bria Dues
- Chloe Beckmeyer
- Zoe Hong
- Drew Ternovits
- Brianna Dzuricsko
- Sam Wittmann
- Miguel Mora
- Maddie Gillock
- Anna Wieging
- Deena Ayshi
- Devanshi Patel
- Siena Cutforth
- Lanie Tarowsky
- Sadie Penix
- Kyle Salandy
- Sophia Kroto
- Alexa Blanchard
- Lauryn Campbell
- Hallie Carr
- Caroline VanBuskirk
- Sage Morrison
- Brody Smith
- Arati Bhandari
- Travis Clark
- Matthew Reindl
- Estella Minakata
- Megan Giese
- Zoe Buckendahl
- Malory Hickman
- Jazmin Miller
- Matt Reindl
- Megan Giese
- Addison Lane
- Gabriel Willard
- Devanshi Patel
- Tetrault ARCH4002-004 Studio Roster
- Vivian George
Your next big idea
Innovation is a daily practice at UC. The 1819 Innovation Hub is UC’s front door for industry, inventors, innovators and entrepreneurs. We foster bold thinking and collaborative breakthroughs that shape industries and improve lives — and we move at the speed of need to make them happen.
Featured image at top of senior capstone project displays in UC's DAAP building. Photo/Emily Glass
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