Based in Athens, GA, Athens Community Resource provides community members with information on the resources available to them in the local area.
To create resources that can exist on multlple different platforms from print to digital to increase access to local food resource information
To focus my design efforts on local food systems, specifically through the lens of UGA’s current FoodShed initiative.
Familiarize myself with the key principles of (the giant topic of) food systems broadly, look at basic issues as they relate to the design discipline, and use the information related to the initiative as content for design problems.
My specific project questions included: What barriers are in place that prevent access to local food resources in Athens, GA? And, how can design help reduce those barrier to access?
With this project, it was about exploring the entire design process from start to finish, so figuring out all aspects that I needed to consider within the course of the semester was a challenge.
The project also needed to provide a solution to a real problem backed by research, so it wasn't about designing a project that I thought was necessary but that research showed was necessary.
The ongoing pandemic added additional challenges by limiting time and available resources.
+ Researched local organizations and other content to highlight in the resources
+ Considered real solutions to local issues regarding food access and social services
+ Designed both digital and print publications/ resources to provide access on different platforms
+ Applied a branding strategy across all platforms to create a consistent and cohesive design
+ Structured data visualization and collected information in a gridded format
+ Provided a bi-lingual experience to increase accessibility to target audience
"With the resources, I wanted to create both printed and digital content to increase the amount of access to this information."
My target audience for this project revolved around low income families and individuals with an emphasis on the Latinx community in Athens.
Through my research, I learned that the main way people were being introduced to these food resource organizations was through word of mouth. That method of spreading information in itself is already a barrier to access for people who do not occupy those social circles. Another barrier to information was language, and a percentage of low income families and individuals were a part of the Latinx community which is the largest non-english speaking community in Athens.
+ Share it with local leaders of those target communities since they directly interact with those members
+ Share it through the local school systems, so that everyone has equal access to the information
+ Host tabling events or provide resources at local community centers where your target audience is at. For example: churches, flea markets, recreational centers, restaurants, etc.
Athen Community Resource: Instagram Account
This particular resource was geared towards Athens community members focusing on the local resources available to them.
A curated list of 10 organizations that provide specific food or social services in the local Athens area. All of the information is provided in both English and Spanish since my audience includes those demographics.
While this information could be used by anyone to learn more about the issues facing the Latinx community in Athens, the intended audience is the local organizations and service providers in Athens, GA.
This resource is meant to equip those orgs with information and steps they can take to better serve the Latinx members of the Athens community.
All of the steps and decision made through the process of designing and building this Senior Capstone project over the course of the spring 2020 semester.