CDF Project 1
My name is Elizabeth Lister. My nickname is Biff. You may refer to me as either. I’m a senior studying Mechanical Engineering at Carnegie Mellon University with a minor in Physics. I have experience working in experimental plasma physics at the Scime lab at West Virginia University, biomedical optics at the IRAM lab at University of Rochester, and aerospace at Phase Four, Inc. On campus, I have 2 years of tutoring experience, 2 years of undergraduate TA experience, and 1 year of RA experience. In my free time, I like drawing, crocheting, baking, and listening to fiction podcasts — basically, grandma hobbies.
Let’s get to it!
An Example of Effective Design
The food truck is a good example because its visual hierarchy is both pleasing and effective. The name of the truck is very clearly visible even from a distance, making it easily identifiable. As you draw closer, you can look over the various iterations of “yum” or “delicious” in a variety of languages, which seems to welcome customers from all backgrounds. The muted dark red keeps it from looking too busy, but it still provides visual interest. The color scheme also evokes CMU branding, so the truck fits in very well on campus.
Overall, the truck is distinctive but not incongruous and conveys a welcoming vibe. These are important concepts for a food service establishment with university branding.
An Example of Ineffective Design
I chose this as my ineffective example because, due to their unfortunate layout and visual hierachy, these signs read as “FACE COVERINGS ARE NOT PERMITTED” from a distance, which is rather the opposite intention. The signs are located in a hallway that sees frequent dorm resident traffic, so passerby are disinclined to read them closely. I’d revise the lower sign to read “NO GUESTS OR VISITORS” in bold type to communicate the concept more concisely and with a clearer message, or at the very least switch the upper and lower signs in this context. The upper sign by itself is fine, though; it’s concise and easily visible.